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Auction Ideas
Over the years we've seen a range of creativity when it comes to successful auction ideas. Below is a list of tried-and-true favorites as well as a few high-end packages for the live auction, where there is a higher chance of competition. If you'd like a detailed list of silent auction ideas, live auction ideas or school auction ideas, just follow the links. By having both a silent and live auction, you have a better chance of reaching your fundraising goals by allowing your patrons to show support at a range of levels.
Fun auction themes are also important to starting the party and setting an environment for bidding. If you throw a good party, your supporters are more likely to attend next year's event and invite their friends.
We hope these ideas are a source of inspiration for your own charity auction. Feel free to share this page with your auction committee and anyone else working on procurement. Enjoy! |
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Dinners |
Whether it is a Mexican dinner with margaritas for eight hosted in the winning bidders home or a winemaker dinner hosted by a top local chef with rare wines blended by a popular vintner, dinner parties are popular auction item. Everyone needs to eat and sometime or another will likely host a party for friends, whether for a birthday, anniversary, or thank you for being fabulous. What better way to treat those dear friends and family members than a unique dinner party experience? Some people may even coordinate with their friends at the auction for some team bidding and share the costs! |
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Parties |
Beyond dinner parties, there are a host of other ways to celebrate. A winetasting party, dance party with live music or DJ, poker night, Monday night football party, Oscar party, cocktail party with local celebrities, spa party, parents night out with babysitter, the list goes on. The party can be sold as a single item or else have a fixed price where each bidder can purchase a spot or two until this exclusive event fills up. |
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Trips |
Everyone loves an excuse to get out of town. Winning a trip at that auction is the perfect excuse, the winner gets to enjoy a lovely vacation while supporting their chosen cause. International trips are most appealing when linked with airfare. Local trips accessible by car also can do well, especially when the accomodations include enough rooms for families. |
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Tickets |
Tickets to games, concerts, and shows can do well, but obviously the more rare the better. A front row seat, backstage pass, access to a VIP room all add to desirability. |
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Theme baskets
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Ideas for theme baskets are almost endless. These can include snacks and edibles, wine, drink mixes, movies, tickets, toys, household items, blankets, clothes, electronics, and/or gadgets all fitting a particular theme. See a list of theme basket ideas here. |
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Artwork |
Art tends to do best at auctions for organizations focused on supporting the arts. Second to that, classroom art projects can inspire exciting bidding battles between dedicated parents. Otherwise, the best artwork seems to be that with a functional application as well - more along the lines of craft pieces. For example, a wooden box, quilt, painted frame, rocking chair, a neon sign with a fun or unique design representing the theme of the auction, or maybe a sculpture. |
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Experiences
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The more unique the better - sailing trips, private jet rides, flying lessons, the chance to see a live TV show filming, be an extra in a movie, meet with a local celebrity in their home, picnic with a favourite teacher, see 4th of July fireworks from a comfy spot, or tour a cult winery. |
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Centerpieces |
Centerpieces add greatly to the auction theme and can add another way for auction attendees to support the organization. If the centerpieces are particularly unique, then anyone from any table should be able to bid on a centerpiece. If they are relatively the same, it may be easiest for them to be purchased at a fixed price.
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Balloon Raffle |
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