50 Awesome Auction Item Ideas for Your Next Fundraiser - Qgiv.com Anyone with a pet knows how difficult it can be to keep on top of their furry friends grooming habits. Silent auctions can be added to any type of event, in-person or online. If your area doesnt offer this option, you can look into plane tickets and accommodations for an area that does. Whether you want items for a silent auction, an in-house raffle, or you just want to find a website where you can organize and set up an online auction for free, we've got you covered. Here are a few examples of fantastic silent auction items: For those who want to explore the world of yoga but arent entirely sure where to start, bidding on yoga lessons at a charity auction is a great first step. A classic live auction involves an auctioneer and will see guests raising paddles or shouting their bids in a crowd. Thats why for many churchgoers, childcare for an evening can be a popular auction item! Golf , especially if theres any sort of personal connection. Using terminology like "to whom it may concern" is not suggested. Why have a silent auction? Looking for a prize that offers a unique and exciting date night? If your city has major or minor league athletics, museums, zoos, aquariums, or other places of interest, try to acquire tickets to these attractions. Perhaps Fido needs a bath, a haircut, or a nail trim! More than likely, someone in your church has some experience (or at least a connection). Going this route also carries the expectation that the cost of any items sold during the auction are covered by the nonprofit. Here's a sampling that are perfect for your live auction, silent auction or raffle. We're blushing. That means if someone in your organization has some miles saved up with no use for them, they can easily be transferred to the winner, meaning a very low-cost (but high-impact) auction item! Look into options with mobile and email alerts for optimized safety for the homeowners. Auctioning off exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime type experiences like this is a great way to raise money for your cause, especially if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) with a private plane to donate for an evening. Seek out a crafty member of your church to help facilitate the lesson, and provide options for crafts to make. If your town has an aquarium, chances are, the kids in the area love it. If youre searching for the right words to include in your ask, check out. Not only can you bring in thousands of dollars in charitable support, but your congregants get an exciting event (and hopefully a fun auction item) out of the process! Consider who they would be interested in meeting and if any celebrities live or are touring the area at any point in the future. This way, the recipient will have everything they need to get an elevated coffee shop experience right in their own home. Recently, virtual auctions have become a hugely popular alternative to traditional live and silent, in-person auction events. For example, if your organization consists of community-oriented parents, consider partnering with a local family eatery for gift cards to feed the whole family. Everyone knows that goodies that are baked with love taste better than their store-bought counterparts. It may be a good idea to include both Apple and Android-based watches to let everyone in on the fun. Were excited you want to learn more about us. The certificates contain redemption instructions. 30 Most Effective Silent Auction Ideas - Donorbox Be sure to include a gift card to the restaurant of choice so that the guests can simply sit back and enjoy their evening. Charity Auctions: The Breakthrough Guide to Bountiful Bids Their formula is clear cut and provides the highest return. To do so, be sure you have a group of 6-8 hardworking individuals who are willing to donate their time for an entire day. Many event organizers simply cross their fingers and hope their legion of supporters will donate a decent assortment of products and services while they spend most of their time looking for one or two big-ticket auction items. Bidding on artwork at a charity auction is very common. This unforgettable experience brings the experience of being in Italy to your highest bidder. Your charity auction will need staff and volunteers dedicated to the event, including: An event planning committee. Here are a few of our favorites: Do you have a luxury resort in your area or neighboring town? Browse our library for articles, how-tos and guides on effective fundraising for nonprofits. Be sure to include instructions for use with the drone! Thank you to our clients and industry experts for recognizing us! Be sure to put requests in well ahead of time. It's the basic law of supply and demand. This can remove significant stress from both the team member soliciting donations and the potential donors themselves. These items are tried-and-true when it comes to stirring up excitement and competition at auctions. . Take time to make inquiry phone calls or perform Google searches. ", Janna G., Executive Director Saving Grace Farm. Lets walk through a few of our favorite items for live charity auctions: is a type of event where guests are invited to browse items on display and bid anonymously for the ones that grab their attention. "It was so nice to have someone to communicate with and get questions answered right away. You must then research how far in advance to make donation requests. Published April 17, 2023 Reading Time: 6 minutes Despite being on the quieter side of the nonprofit fundraising spectrum (pun intended), silent auctions can be an effective way to engage your donor base and involve local businesses in your cause. Perhaps you even have some aspiring pastry chefs in your midst who are looking for an opportunity to show off their skills. By partnering with your local professional sports teams, you can likely receive season tickets at a discounted rate to then auction off to the highest bidder. Be sure to include a range of tickets, with a few pricier ones supplemented by several single-dollar tickets. Instead, use your insight, past experiences, and current connections to find auction items your donors will love. Consider adding a fast food meal of choice at lunchtime to sweeten the deal for an extra perk. Because your team will collect most of your fundraising revenue in the form of bids on auction items, you must invest enough time and effort to collect high-demand, valuable items before the big day. A class party can be a highlight of the school year. Monday - Friday $71M+ FUN EXPERIENCES for your auction or raffle Unique experiences your donors will love Find local golf, B&B stays, wine tastings, luxury trips and other fabulous experiences. If the professional auction supply company isnt for your nonprofit, the burden of getting supplies for your auction falls to your organization. The Solicitations Committee obtains donations for the silent and live auction. Try to secure some good seats and auction the tickets off for your church fundraiser. Most of us dont have our own private jets as a means of transportation, but many are curious to give it a try! Be sure to collect many different types of wine and include a brief description of each. Don't delay! Free fundraising webinars and virtual workshops for nonprofit, educational, and faith-based organizations. Who doesnt want their front lawn landscaped nicelyespecially when the money will support a good cause? If you can get a local dealer to donate an entry-level (or higher) eBike for your silent auction, you can count on it . A unique consumable basket idea that isnt food-based is a lotto ticket basket. Collect gift cards from several local coffee shops and draft a map of a suggested route that the winner can take. This experience can be an adventurous date idea or great for thrill-seekers overall. Finding Auction Items For Your Charity Event This is, understandably, often due to a fear of rejection. Many retailers are happy to give an item or two for an auction basket, but you must be careful those items are what your donors will want to buy. Zoos are exciting experiences for students of all ages, and a private tour with behind-the-scenes offerings can bring the intrigue up several notches. This is perfect for those who have always wanted to get in shape but have a hard time making it out to the gym regularly. Working parents will appreciate the gift of a month of free after-school care provided by your school. Virtual fundraising is a continuously growing tactic for nonprofits. Get 200 charity auction participants wealth screened for FREE. This way, the winners will be all set for their trip, and theyll fit right in. Seek donations from businesses like movie theaters or bowling alleys for local date night baskets. 1. Be sure to get the go-ahead from teachers beforehand. It doesnt hurt to ask! Here are a few considerations for how to go about this task: With these strategies in mind, your items will be priced in a way that encourages competition without being too exclusive. They are rare or unique. We'll list a few top auction basket ideas below. The auctioneer will be in charge of running the show. Do your due diligence up front to make sure your request reaches a person with decision making power. Every couple needs a nice date night every once in a while, but many find themselves too busy or stuck in the same old routine. If youre raising money for your church or religious organization, an auction can be a great idea. You can either go through a subscription service or opt for DIY-style boxes on your own. This is truly an extraordinary experience for your participants. That said, we know a thing or two about auction items that sell! You dont want to end up with only gift cards or memorabilia when you need a full array of options! Not only will your array of items draw in more attendees ahead of time, but youll also encourage guests to spend more while theyre there. Detailed reports, integrations, and statistics to help improve your campaigns. Effective and popular school auction items can include the following: More than likely, you already have a set of school merchandise on sale, including t-shirts, hats, lanyards, and more. 9am - 7pm EST, 888.855.9595 For a bonus, you might position this item as a date night package and include a gift certificate to a favorite romantic restaurant as well. Instead, be sure to stick to a well-thought-out fundraising calendar to keep your whole team on track, and youll be able to receive top items right on schedule. To get started, find out if any of your church members have connections to the local businesseswhether they own them or know the management! Local restaurants and businesses typically require less notice but have limited resources to help. The best thing about offering SkyMiles as an auction item is that many can quite easily be transferred from one person to another. The latest news, updates, and awardshot off the press. Contact a local makeup artist or store to arrange a pre-paid appointment for your winner. Charity Auction . Auctioning a catering crew for a specific-sized party (such as 20-30 guests) is an exciting offering for many of your party-planning supporters. Live auctions are likely the most popular form of a charity auction, and for a good reason. Encourage your supporters to treat themselves by auctioning gift certificates to your local spa or salon. Pull up a seat and stay awhile. Find the Online Experiences filter in your dashboard. Perhaps one of your board members has a connection to a ticket holder looking to donate their pass. If youre raising money for a high school, college, or university, a VIP graduation package can be a great idea for your auction. Their employer Note: Check your . Even better, you can integrate this easy-to-use giving method as a bonus source of revenue at your charity auction! 10 Charity Auction Item Ideas That Bring in Big Bids - Double the Donation Launch your online auction in minutesfor free! Cruise packages are exciting and typically the hottest vacation items as people look to escape to tropical weather. Make all choices based on the value of your items. Youll be helping your donors make memories that they wont soon forget! If this is one of your first auctions, consider sending a pre-auction survey or sticking to known highly coveted silent auction items such as: When you have a variety of exciting items, youre able to attract numerous bids and get your attendees excited to participate. Based on your donor data of previous gifts and involvement, youll determine how much your audience is willing to pay for an item. Thats because, with consignment items, you dont pay the company offering the item or experience until after an auction attendee has made their purchase. Dont include too few items or too many. Schedule a chat Like any aspect of your auction planning, you want to get the ball rolling on the item procurement process as early as possible. The key to obtaining in-kind donations that donors will pay top dollar for at auction is to build packages based on unique, memorable experiences, offer high-quality consumable items, and offer high-value items that will speak to your donor base. Similar to a chore team, be sure to recruit responsible churchgoers (whether youth and/or adults) to volunteer their time to look after the winners child(ren) for a night. Once youve determined what kinds of prizes will pique your participants interest, your team must gather these items from willing establishments. Upload items and select TravelPledge experiences, then open bidding to donors. The Complete And Easy Guide To Nonprofit Charity Auctions - CallHub Be sure to include a gift card to a favorite local restaurant, along with movie tickets and some snacks to sneak in. Our service integrations save you time so you can focus on making a difference. This idea, however, brings the experience a few notches further! you may have a few questions about acquiring them. This way, you dont have to worry about shelling out tons of money pre-auction on your main attraction items with the worry that they might not sell. Buy a few tickets to a popular show, and provide some compensation for travel and lodging options depending on the location of your constituents. For example, consider offering packages with: Be sure to include a few people in the experience so your winner can bring family or friends along. Thats why weve compiled a quick list of tried-and-true item procurement tips as well! Consider this item for active and daredevil participants. Thats why its a great idea to begin the procurement process close to home. These events appeal to your own donor base and people new to your organization. Raise more money, grow your impact, and expand your reach. If all goes well, you might even be bringing them their next long-term customer! More than likely, someone in your congregation has access to a vacation home. When planning any type of charity auction, it's important to draw from a wide range of auction item ideas! Is there an amusement or water park fairly close to your school? Here's a sampling that are perfect for your live auction, silent auction or raffle. PDF Establish a Solicitations Committee - OneCause This auction item can easily be adjusted to fit whichever audience youre selling to. Thats because many individuals are willing to shell out thousands of dollars for a fantastic vacation. Therefore, theyll be able to plan and host their own event without nearly as much stress! A procurement committee to solicit auction items. So, what auction items should you try to procure to create an entertaining night that's memorable for your guests? Does your area have a golf course? When choosing items for your live auction consider, what prizes would your audience want to bid competitively over? Take this seemingly simple but annoying task out of a lucky winners to-do list. For instance, if an item sells for less than the value, the nonprofit pays the difference out of its event earnings. Perhaps a team member has a connection to a major donor who may be willing to provide either auction items or financial support for your upcoming event. Locate a group of willing volunteers from your congregation to commit a few hours to help out the winner with such tasks. When listing your item advertise how they can be beneficial in almost all types of lifestyles from working out to commuting. Here are some popular appliance options: Ask your local appliance shop what theyd be willing to donate, and consider including a pertinent recipe book to go along with it. When it comes to obtaining worthwhile donations, reach out early using corporate donation websites to request support. Procuring Auction Items: Score Donations in 5 Simple Steps - OneCause For example, a massage that is offered for $20 has an FMV of $20. Charity Fundraising offers exclusive and fully customizable VIP Experiences and Vacation Packages that are no-risk auction items that will provide a lively auction and drive funding for your cause. For areas with ample outdoor recreation, research packages for whitewater rafting experiences. Auction items can be difficult for organizations to source, especially with so many businesses . Instead, be sure to stick to a well-thought-out. Having the best auction items possible will set your event up for success. Auction Items: Frequently Asked Questions, Our Favorite Auction Items That Drive Bids, Top Tips for Procuring High-Demand Auction Items. Where to get charity auction items - Sherry Truhlar There are tons of subscription boxes available on the internet. Auctioning off a paid seat to a local photography class is a great way to raise money for your cause while inspiring creativity as well. This gift is one of the most useful prizes. How To Get Auction Items For Charity | CharityAuctionsToday Gift cards or baskets related to your local area. The Auction Item : If your item is on consignment basis, this means that there are no upfront costs to your organization until the item sells, you may want to lock in your profit by starting the bids at 10% to 20% above the consignment rate. If your organization is based in an area where it snows, look into ways to assemble a winter sports gift. Be sure to promote the fact that these recipes can be left to cook all day, and will be ready by the end of the day. For more information, take a look at our other informational guides and top fundraising resources: Get in touch with us to take a tour of the Snowball platform and find the right fundraising solutions for your nonprofit.