Top Auction Item Categories

1. Travel. Travel-related silent auction items are always a huge hit.
2. Outings and Experiences.
3. Sports Tickets, Memorabilia, and Activities.
4. Music.
5. Food.

Top 10 Charity Auction Item Ideas

Top 20 Best Selling Silent Auction Items

Twelve Steps to Preparing a Successful Fundraising Auction

1. Set Goals for Participation, Procurement, and Earning.
2. Plan a Budget.
3. Set a Date and Location.
4. Choose an Auctioneer.
5. Send Out Invitations.
6. Solicit Donations of Goods and Services.
7. Prepare Written Materials.
8. Promote and Publicize the Event.

These packages can make great items for both your live and silent auction events….Date Night Basket

• Romantic dinner certificates.
• Two-night stay in a hotel in the area.
• Local cooking classes.
• Wine tasting adventures.
• Private tennis or golf lessons.
• Couple massages.
• Group dinner party.

To solicit items you can use for an online charity auction, create a committee to manage the solicitation process, brainstorm with your committee members, list possible donors, write an effective solicitation letter, distribute the letters, follow up with phone calls, and send thank-you notes.

Items for Live Auctions

• Travel package. This is one of the most popular choices for auctions of all shapes and sizes.
• Live artwork. Bidding on artwork at a charity auction is very common.
• Pamper basket.
• Signed memorabilia.
• A personal chef for an evening.
• Lottery ticket basket.
• Homemade baked goods.
• Season sports tickets.

But auctions involve so many more possessions: automobiles, office equipment, art, machinery, industrial equipment, electronics. One very rapidly growing area is real estate. More and more people are buying and selling their homes and land by the auction method.

4. How to Plan a Live Auction

1. Step 1: Set a goal and budget.
2. Step 2: Recruit an auction team.
3. Step 3: Solicit auction items.
4. Step 4: Pin down a date and location.
5. Step 5: Hire an auctioneer.
6. Step 6: Promote the event and sell tickets.
7. Step 7: Promote your auction items.
8. Step 8: Set up the live auction.

Follow these six tips and you’ll be ready for your first auction experience and hopefully take home exactly what you’re looking for.

1. Get There Early. By arriving to the auction early, you can get the lay of the land, register and find a good seat.
2. Do Your Homework.
3. Bring Help.
4. Be Prepared to Bid.
5. Make Eye Contact.

In most cases, live auctions should present 7-12 items at the most. Presenting your guests fewer auction items that have a higher value and will sell well is always better than offering too big of a selection.

In a traditional live auction setting, excluding real estate, auctioneers typically take 20 seconds to 2 minutes to sell lots. Items might be sold more quickly if: The bidders are professional buyers.

Curated baskets of high-quality foods, like charcuterie meats and cheeses Dining-themed auction item ideas are great for filling out your auction with reliable performers. They ‘re not typically the big-ticket items that get donors in the door, but they’re excellent for driving revenue across the event as a whole.

The best silent auction items are those that are unique, creative, interesting, and often can’t be easily purchased. These types of items are sure to draw lots of attention and frequent bids, increasing the overall revenue from your event.

According to IRS rules, donors who win items at charity auctions can claim a tax deduction for their charitable contribution only for the amount paid for the item in excess of its fair market value. For example, say a bidder wins a year’s membership at an exclusive golf club where annual memberships cost $4,000.

Top Easy Fundraising Ideas Matching Gift Drive. Chances are, your donors don’t realize they could be doubling (sometimes tripling!) their contributions. T-Shirt Fundraiser. Phone-a-Thon. Talent Show. Engraved Bricks. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising. Trivia Night. Coupon Books. Paper Airplane Competition. Read-a-Thon.