Additionally, our platform is user-friendly and customizable, allowing organizations to tailor the auction to their specific needs and goals. Your nonprofit organization can get the max benefits of its silent auction by setting a minimum bid for all auction items. This means guests must bid at least the minimum to participate in your silent auction. Placing a minimum bid increases the likelihood that your nonprofit organization makes a profit and raises substantial money from the silent auction. That being said, informing your guests that there is a minimum bid is essential. Want to hold a silent auction without the costs of securing a venue?
They’re also good for seeing what works for your organization before committing to more complex events. Lastly, it would be best to have volunteers near the auction tables to greet guests, answer questions, and assist with registration. Even those who do win might still want to buy a product branded to your organization! After all, they’ll probably want a piece of memorabilia to remind them of what an excellent time they had at your auction. Make sure that you thoroughly advertise your items before the event.
You can create a kit that includes crochet needles and a whole bunch of yarn skeins. Depending on various factors, you might want to include transportation to and from your chosen destination as part of a getaway package. If you’ve already secured a limo ride for your auction, you may want to pair it with the free tickets and auction them off as a bundle. By pairing the free limo ride with the tickets, you’ll increase the perceived value of the joint offering, which could end up yielding higher bids than either item would generate on its own. As you review information about your donor base, do you notice that prospective auction attendees have big life events coming up, such as weddings or anniversaries? If so, you may want to ask a local photographer to donate a photoshoot.
Email More details, including the list of games on offer, can be found at /events/used-game-sale. It’s to raise money for Oliver Gospel’s Toby’s Place, a state-of-the-art building in Columbia offering a long-term shelter and training facility for women and their children. If you’re brand-new to the world of charity auctions, here’s a quick overview of what we mean.
Next, locate and reach out to potential fundraising sponsors that align with your audience’s preferences. For instance, if your audience is primarily major donors, you may focus on big-ticket items like expensive getaways. Or, if your audience is mostly families with young children, you might sprinkle in a few items that are lower-value but likely to excite kids like s’mores making supplies. SchoolAuction.net is a service of Northworld LLC, the premier provider of benefit-auction software solutions. Which is to say, we’re a software company who likes to help non-profits with their fundraisers. Anna brings more than a decade of experience in community engagement, campaign planning, and strategic communications at small, progressive nonprofit organizations in New York City.
Once you have your site all set up, don’t forget to include the link in email newsletter blasts and other outreach about your auction, so supporters can browse the items before the event. The easiest and most cost-effective way to advertise your auction is by putting up an online event site. These sites are generated through auction or event planning software and allow your organization to list descriptions and images of each item. Silent auctions are fun, interesting, and an excuse to have a party. This is an aspect of in-person events that are sorely missed in the online equivalent. Much of the enthusiasm and excitement is lost without the social component.
How does Silent Auction work write down their name (or number if it’s anonymous) and bid amount, and the highest bidder at the end of the designated time period wins the item. Silent auctions can be held both in-person and online, and often include a wide range of items donated by individuals or businesses to support a nonprofit organization. You’ll even have access to our online community of 1.7 million philanthropic shoppers to increase bids and help you gain new supporters. Plus, securely process payments with one click at the end of your event, thank your donors, and run comprehensive reports to analyze your results and build upon your success.