how to get people to donate to your silent auction

What are some good items for a silent auction?

Jul 29, 2019 · Here are three straightforward steps to get donated items for your silent auction without cold calling! Step 1: List the people you know Most committees start the procurement process by looking at what they want to include in their auction: “Let’s get a cruise.” “Or tickets to a ball game.” “Let’s find a villa in Tuscany ...

How to set up a silent auction?

People always ask me for ideas for their fundraisers. I want to give lists on an annual basis to help my clients. Here are 50 ideas for auction items* to get you started on your search for donations: Hotel Stays. Massage at a local salon or chiropractic office. Week at someone’s cabin. Restaurant Gift Cards. Theater Tickets. Pet Grooming

How to secure silent auction donations?

Let them know there’ll be a lot of promotion leading up to the event. This helps with their hyperlocal marketing and, if done correctly, generates more business than the cost of the donation. To make this worthwhile, come prepared with a specific outline of how this kind of promotion can be beneficial for them.

How to showcase your silent auction items for maximum results?

Finding the right person to address your donation request letter to will require a little more research upfront, but the reward will follow. Acknowledge your donor relationship. To begin your silent auction donation request letter, first introduce yourself and acknowledge the relationship your organization has with the recipient.

How do you promote a silent auction?

The best way to promote items is by creating an auction catalog, which alongside including basic event details, lists out photos and descriptions of each item. To create a catalog, your organization should enlist the help of auction or event planning software.

How do you ask for donations at an auction?

8 Tips of an Effective AskBe Upfront. Don't waste people's time. ... Be Specific. Before you approach a potential donor, have a specific auction item in mind that you want donated (that's why you created the wish list!). ... Be Knowledgeable. ... Provide Options. ... Ask Big! ... Do the Paperwork. ... Get an Answer. ... Understand What “No” Means.

How do silent auctions raise money?

A silent auction is a classic fundraising event in which guests place bids on items you've procured. Using paper bid sheets or mobile bidding software, bidders compete to win their favorite items and packages. When time's up, the highest bid wins the item, and your organization receives the proceeds.

What sells best at silent auctions?

Top 20 Best Selling Silent Auction ItemsAuction Item Description% Above Fair Market ValueAutographed music memorabilia720%Autographed sports memorabilia370% - 630%Popular home accessories480%Fine dining restaurant certificates330% - 460%11 more rows

How do you ask for donations?

When asking for donations in person, keep these tips in mind:Do research beforehand.Form a strong relationship before you make your ask.Meet them where they are.Practice your pitch.Communicate in a variety of ways.Be genuine, direct, and specific.Be prepared for rejections.Say thank you more than once.

How do you procure a donation?

Procuring Auction Items: Score Donations in 5 Simple StepsStep 1: Review Donor Data.Step 2: Put Together a Procurement Team.Step 3: Solicit Auction Items.Step 4: Track Your Donations.Step 5: Print Out a Master List.

Should you put a value on silent auction items?

For minimum bids, we suggest starting at 20 to 30 percent of the retail value of the item - never more than 50 percent. Adjust higher or lower depending on the likely popularity and exclusivity of the item.

How long should a silent auction last?

around three hoursHow long should a silent auction last? In-person auctions typically last around three hours. However, if your organization is taking the virtual route, it's a good idea to allot more time for the event. This is because the bidding process can take longer than an in-person auction.Aug 10, 2020

What are some fundraising ideas?

These quick and easy fundraising ideas require relatively little investment of time and money compared to their potential results and popularity with donors:Matching Gifts. ... Coffee Bean Sale. ... Dog Walking. ... Text-to-Give Tools. ... Penny Drive. ... Specific Date and Amount Fundraiser. ... Used Book Sale. ... Holiday Candygrams.Feb 26, 2018

What is a good item to donate for a silent auction?

Best Silent Auction Item IdeasYour Nonprofit's Mission.Travel and Experiences.Community Spotlight.High-End Items.Dinner and Drinks.Sports.Family.Music and Entertainment.More items...•Dec 28, 2020

What can you donate to a charity auction?

Top 10 Charity Auction Item IdeasItemEaseBid Amount1. Travel Package✓✓$$$2. Signed Memorabilia✓$$$3. City Bar Crawl✓✓✓✓$$4. Best Pizza in Town✓✓✓$6 more rows

How much can you make from a silent auction?

A rule of thumb is that live auction items will produce 65-75% of their retail or fair market value, while silent auctions will result in 50-65% of their fair market value.Feb 13, 2018

3 Ways to get Wine and Alcohol Donated for Auction Items and Fundraising Games

One of the most important questions to ask yourselves about auction items is, “Does this item have broad appeal?” Meaning, is this something a lot of people like and would be willing to bid on? If there is one thing that you can guarantee a lot of people could bid on it is…. (drumroll please)… alcohol.

How do you get wine, beer and other forms of alcohol donated to use at a nonprofit auction or for fundraising games?

When I go to events, I see the three different types of donors of wine/beer/alcohol items.

50 Ideas for Fundraising Auction Items

People always ask me for ideas for their fundraisers. I want to give lists on an annual basis to help my clients. Here are 50 ideas for auction items* to get you started on your search for donations:

Why are businesses hesitant to donate to wedding socials?

Some businesses will be hesitant to donate to your wedding social because they can’t see the mutual benefit. Let them know there’ll be a lot of promotion leading up to the event. This helps with their hyperlocal marketing and , if done correctly, generates more business than the cost of the donation.

What happens if you are nervous about asking for prizes?

If you’re feeling nervous, the worst that can happen is your prospects say “no”, but fear of rejection shouldn’t stop you from asking for prizes. Remember: A closed mouth doesn’t get fed, so you’re going to have to get out there and get hustling.

Is wedding social good for retailers?

Your wedding social doesn’t provide a lot of advertising value for a large retailer, but it can definitely be helpful for a local business who can benefit from raising their profile in the neighbourhood. When you’re making a list of businesses to approach (especially with the promotion offer outlined earlier) stick to nearby businesses who can clearly benefit from being promoted to your friends and family.

Why do you have a silent auction?

Holding a special event is a great way for an organization to generate fundraising proceeds, engage new and previous donors, and build awareness for their cause. Including a silent auction can take your special event to the next level, but it requires your nonprofit to solicit awesome items for guests to bid on.

How to write a donation letter?

The first step in writing a donation request letter is ensuring that it gets to the right person. Do your due diligence up front to make sure your request reaches a person with decision making power. Take time to make inquiry phone calls or perform Google searches.

Why are donation request letters important?

And that equals more money to power your mission. Donation request letters are essential for building your auction. The letters are the first introduction to individuals and businesses that you’re having an event, need silent auction items, and what recognition and visibility is included for auction donors. So, make it count!

What is a category in a letter?

Category or theme of the item you’re looking for. Items that you cannot use or accept. It’s easier to get these details out of the way in the beginning of the letter. Take some of the work off of the donor and give them specific examples when possible.

Do you thank donors for an auction?

Always, always, always be sure to thank auctions item donors. It’s such an important element of a donation request and sometimes overlooked in the craziness of auction prep. Be sure to:

What is the most important thing to do at a silent auction?

One of the most important steps for a successful silent auction is an effective team of people who will drive the event to success. Your team can be a mix of your nonprofit staff and volunteers. They are responsible for all tasks right from pre-promotion activities to volunteering to auction monitoring. 2.

Why do nonprofits hold silent auctions?

Holding a silent auction can be a fun way for your nonprofit to raise funds , and it can also be a smart move for engaging with donors. Silent auction software can make it easier to organize and run your event, but there’s a lot you can do to streamline the registration and payment processes if you’re not using it.

How do silent auctions work?

Nowadays silent auctions can be conducted using mobile bidding applications, which makes it easier to maintain anonymity and not let the bidders know the amount placed by other bidders. Once the bids have been placed, the highest bid wins the item, and the proceeds go towards the cause or the nonprofit.

What happens when a silent auction closes?

Once the silent auction has closed, the winning bids are announced and payments are made. Pro-tip #1: Using silent auction software can make it easier to run a silent auction. If bidders are outbid on an item, they can quickly place another bid and stay in the running.

How do you place a bid in a silent auction?

Participants place bids by writing their name, contact information, and bidder number on the bid sheet. If you’re using mobile bidding, they can place bids on their smartphones instead.

What is a raffle?

A raffle is a game of chance. It’s a great way for an organization to raise money where typically, businesses or services donate an item to be raffled off. The organization holding the raffle collects money by selling tickets, and the winner is chosen at random. The more tickets you purchase, the more are your chances of winning the draw. However, the winner is still decided by a chance drawing and not whoever places the highest bid. A silent auction is completely different from a raffle. The bidders must be physically present and have the chance of examining the product before placing their bids. The one with the highest bid gets to walk home with the item.

What is silent auction?

A silent auction is an event that is typically held by fundraisers and charitable organizations. It normally takes place without an auctioneer. In a silent auction, items are displayed to the attendees and each item has a bid sheet.

What is a silent auction donation?

This silent auction donation is a surefire way to please any jetsetters or adventurers in your audience. These packages, popular at most auctions, offer once in a lifetime experiences to bidders. Auction off an exciting experience at your next silent auction!

Why do schools have silent auctions?

The silent auction is the prefect fundraisers for schools because guests of all different economic backgrounds can conveniently bid using their phones or bid sheets. That way, they don’t have to publicly announce their bids. Learn more about planning a silent auction for your school with our comprehensive guide.

Why don't you offer up a package to a location that's too obscure?

Don’t offer up a package to a location that’s too obscure because you might lose interest. Pick a popular vacation site with a good reputation so your winner can enjoy their stay without worrying about safety or cleanliness!

How much is Disney World Family Adventure?

Like previously mentioned, different packages will have different costs, depending on where your nonprofit books from and which features you want to include. OneCause’s Disney World Family Adventure is listed at $4,995 for nonprofit’s. The whole package is worth up to $10,470, so it’s sure to be an experience your winner won’t forget.

Why do you need a silent auction?

Unlike live auctions, silent auctions put little pressure on donors and appeal to their desire to get something for their gift. This event also helps expand your donor base and reach out to smaller donors who want to give but cannot donate large amounts.

What are some of the most popular items on a silent auction list?

Vineyard tours and wine tastings are some of the most popular items on a silent auction list. Wine lovers cannot get enough of their favorite brand and will jump at the opportunity to tour the fields and watch the wine get made.

How to promote your nonprofit's mission?

Your Nonprofit’s Mission. In addition to rais ing funds, silent auctions can be a fun and creative way to promote your organization’s mission. Use your mission to create a story and add an item that excites your donors and educates them about the work of your organization. 1. Mission-related activities.

What is a good idea for parents who need a break from their kids?

Hotel and resort stays are an excellent idea for parents who need a break from their kids or need somewhere to bring their families for a vacation. Adding this to your silent auction list can appeal to couples and families.

What do unique trips and experiences give your donors?

Unique trips and experiences give your donors a glimpse of their dream world. With a little creativity, you can find items that draw people to the table and will not let them go without making a bid.

What are some activities that can be done to save whales?

Mission-related activities. If you are an organization that wants to save the whales, include a whale watching trip. If you run a theater, you can include tickets to a show and a tour backstage to see how the theater works. Time on the front lines is another popular auction item.

What to put in baby gift basket?

Baby gift baskets can include diapers and wipes, clothes, rattles, pacifiers, and a few special touches.

What are some examples of naming rights?

Another example of naming rights is dedicating a memorial bench to your highest donor. Memorial benches are typically placed in parks with high traffic and engraved with a name or a short quote. Work with your local park to see if there is a bench you can dedicate as a memorial bench for the winner.

What is virtual private lesson?

Marketing a virtual private lesson rather than an in-person private lesson makes your silent auction items more accessible and possibly more appealing to bidders. Bidders don’t have to worry about keeping a 6-foot distance between them and their instructor.

What is executive lunch?

Executive lunches are silent auction items that give donors one-on-one time with someone they want to talk about important issues or common interests with. Examples of people to collaborate with for private lunches include: Your organization’s executive director. A community leader. A public figure.

What are private lessons?

Private Lessons. If there are individuals in your community who can offer lessons as a silent auction item, it’s an opportunity to enhance your auction. The bids on lessons will be higher if this person doesn’t usually give lessons, therefore making them invaluable. The lessons can include anything like: Art. Sports.

Why are front row seats at graduation hot?

For instance, if you’re fundraising for a school, front row seats at graduation are always a hot item because families want to be as close as possible for that special moment — not to mention the optimal photo opportunities. Take advantage of other organization’s holiday events like: The Fourth of July fireworks.

Can you send a bidder on a vacation?

Sending your bidder on a vacation may not be practical when practicing social distancing. Instead, make a staycation kit where your winner can create a stay-at-home vacation. Think about typical things people do on vacation and equip a kit that embodies those activities.

Do parents love silent auctions?

Including child care services in your silent auction may capture the interest of parents who dream of a date night or relaxing day doing nothing on the couch.

Tech Companies and Electronics

eBay has an employee match program that matches any donation given to a non-profit by an eBay employee up to $2500. eBay also encourages employees to volunteer and has a grant program that gives away cash based on how many hours their employees volunteer with a charity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Companies That Donate The Most To Non-Profits and Charities

What companies rank the highest in corporate social responsibility and charitable giving?