Silent Auction Ideas

Looking for creative silent auction ideas to help you raise more dollars for your organization? Silent auctions and online charity auctions have become a popular ways for nonprofit and community organizations to raise money for a worthy cause. However, the success of your silent auction will depend on the items you auction off, as well as how you promote your silent auction fundraising event. The more creative you become in sourcing donated items, and the more valuable these items are perceived will help you to make your event even more of a success!

Silent Auction Items

Every silent auction typically has some core items that provide a strong base to bring in funds for your silent auction. These basic items are relatively easy to acquire and are appealing to a broad audience. These items include: hotel stays or weekend get-away packages, gift certificates from local restaurants and retail locations (don't forget about virtual gift certificates for all the online shoppers), and entertainment such as tickets to a professional sporting event. These auction items are popular items to bid on because they are often things that people may not normally choose to spend their money on as they may be considered "luxuries". However, when money is spent to contribute to a good cause, this outlook may change, and people may decide to treat themselves. These items are also relatively low-cost for donators (i.e. a hotel room or a pair of tickets for a sporting event costs the donating organization very little and actually brings people to their establishment who are likely to spend more money - providing a win-win situation for both parties).

Think Outside-the-box

Now that you have an idea of some of the basic auction items popular in silent auctions and online charity auction fundraising events, we're going to introduce you to some new ideas. This article will hopefully help you think outside the box, and allow you to broaden your offerings. Consider soliciting donations in more creative ways, making your silent auction event different than any other charity auction out there!

Event & Party Donations

• Children’s Birthday Parties: Ask local indoor play parks, children's museums, mini-golf courses, Chuck-E-Cheese restaurants, etc. to donate a kid’s birthday party package that includes food, party hats, prizes and entertainment (such as a face painter or magician). What a great “party-in-a-box” for a busy mom & dad to bid on. Not only do they get a great party for their child, but all the planning is already done!
• Dinner Party: Contact a dinner theater, a murder-mystery company or an organization that coordinates wine-tasting events to see if they could donate tickets to a party for the parents. This is an excellent way for adults to try something new and meet new people with similar interests. This kind of donation also provides a great opportunity for an entertainment company to be introduced to a new set of potential customers.

Service Donations

• Babysitters: Find local babysitting services to see if they'd be willing to offer a certificate for a free night of babysitting. This will give parents a reason to get out, and will introduce the babysitting service to a new potential client.
• Upkeep Services: Almost anyone you know would love the opportunity to receive a free house-cleaning, landscape and gardening service or pool cleaning. Reach out to local, independent service providers to see if they would be willing to donate services in the hopes of securing a new client and getting referrals.
• Construction and Improvement: Along the same lines as home upkeep, why not reach out to people who provide services for home improvement? Contact housepainters, plumbing services, electricians and local "handy-man" services to see if they are interested in donating their time for a good cause. They may also be interested in gaining new clients and referrals.

Celebrity Auction Items

Reach out to local sports teams and networking connections to see if you can secure autographed merchandise from popular celebrities. These can be autographed posters or jerseys from athletes, CD's or photos from musicians, signed original painting from a local artist, etc. These "one-of-a-kind" items are likely to bring in high-dollar donations as these are items that cannot be duplicated, replaced or reproduced.

No Risk Auction Items

For great travel packages that your organization cannot get donated, be sure to see our No Risk Auction Items. These items offer a no risk solution for your organization, since you do not have to purchase or put down any money on the items unless you are able to auction them off above your reserve amount.

Summary

Be creative... the options are endless! Ask members of your organization, family and friends for ideas and to see if they have any connections.

Promote your event! Be sure to spread the word about your silent auction throughout your community. Utilize your networks, post information on your organization's web site, and list your event on local calendars and bulletins. Notify local media about the silent auction and explain how the funds will contribute to a charitable cause. Create excitement by offering rare & unique items in your silent auction and make for a more appealing story for the media.

Lastly, be sure to implement a system to help you manage all the details of the planning process! DoJiggy silent auction software can help you manage participant registrations, online listing and bidding for auction items, secure payment processing, sponsorship sales and promotion, and financial reporting.

Return to Online Charity Auctions Planning Resources

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