Charity auctions, in addition to generating funds for worthwhile causes, are supposed to be fun events that bring communities together, sparking generosity around a shared goal. When it’s planned and organised just right, with a charming and charismatic host able to delight and entertain the audience, a warm and inviting atmosphere and ambience that sets everyone at ease and ready to contribute, and combined with entertainment such as a performance or a good meal, it’s an event to remember.
Getting it just right, though, isn’t all that easy. Getting items worth bidding on, filling the seats, and ensuring that everyone walks away with a smile at the end of the night involves more than just a bit of planning.
Lucky for you, Skyline Skydiving has put together this list of top tips and tricks to ensure that your next charity auction reaches all its lofty goals.
Decide what type of auction to host
Charity auctions can take many forms. Live auctions are high-energy and exciting events where you get to engage with the participants; online or virtual auctions make use of digital platforms or apps that allow participants to place bids from the comfort of home; and silent auctions involve participants placing their bids by writing them down on a piece of paper or through an app.
While all of these auctions are feasible and can help you reach your fundraising goals, this article will focus on planning a modest live auction. If you’re aiming to raise a figure with plenty of zeros, consider working directly with professional charity auctioneers.
Goals, goals, goals
Set clear and tangible goals. A goal like “we aim to raise £10,000 to equip a local dog shelter with eight new kennels and purchase a 3-month supply of dog food for the animals they take care of” beats out “we aim to raise money for the local dog shelter.” Objectively measurable goals give both the organiser and the audience something tangible to work towards and allow you to track and announce your progress throughout the night.
Make sure that everyone in the audience is reminded of your noble goals throughout the night. Remember, if the funds raised are for the right cause, someone might be willing to bid much higher for an item than they otherwise would if they can see that you’re only £750 away from your goal with only two items remaining.
Plan well in advance
The logistics of a charity auction can be overwhelming. Leave yourself plenty of time to find a venue, items to bid on, and a host. Even if you manage to find all of these essentials overnight, you’ll still need time to promote the event to ensure the biggest possible turnout.
Curate a diverse auction catalogue
Not everyone at the auction will have the resources to bid huge amounts on famous artworks or priceless jewellery. This isn’t necessarily a problem, though, as ensuring that you have a wide range of items that pique all interests can be just as successful.
With enough time and dedication, you should be able to find a good mix of sponsored items and/or experiences across all price ranges. A diverse auction catalogue could include items such as:
- Experiences sponsored by local businesses: Restaurants could sponsor a romantic dinner for two or everything needed for an office party, a beauty salon or spa could sponsor a full-day treatment; or a resort could donate a voucher for a two-night stay.
- Donated items with physical value: Whether new or second-hand but in good condition, donated physical items such as jewellery, artworks, electronics, or other household goods can all help you reach your auction goals.
- Memorabilia: Sports and other memorabilia often fetch great bids at charity auctions. These could include a rugby ball signed by a team, a sports hero’s kit, or the whistle used in a memorable game. It can be tricky getting a hold of these items, but approaching a team or organisation to sponsor a signed ball for a good cause is definitely on the cards.
- High-ticket items: If you’re fortunate enough to get really valuable experiences such as a week abroad or front-row tickets to a popstar’s concert sponsored, the right bid on these items can almost single-handedly help you reach your goals.
While there really isn’t a limit to what can be auctioned, ensuring a wide range that gives everyone the opportunity to raise their paddle at least once does a lot to increase the excitement and buzz.
Get the right people on board
There’s nothing stopping you from grabbing the mic and auctioning your sponsored items yourself; however, with the right voice guiding the evening, your income potential increases exponentially.
When it comes to finding a host for the event, you don’t necessarily need a current national celebrity for the evening to be a success. Retired sports or TV personalities or well-known locals (think a long-serving school principal or GP in your community) who are comfortable in front of a crowd can make excellent hosts, keeping the event on track, bids rolling in, and the audience entertained with memorable quips, twists, and anecdotes.
Provide memorable experiences
Besides having an entertaining host auction a diverse range of interesting items, there’s a lot that you can do to provide your guests with an evening they’ll remember. Depending on the setup available at your venue, you could consider having a band play live music, include a stand-up comedy set, provide fun photo booths (360° photo booths are incredibly popular at the moment), or include an exciting food or drink menu not available anywhere else.
Remember, if you can get the attendees to share their incredible experiences on social media, you will have hosted an event that continues to promote your cause long after the night is over.
Follow up with attendees
Our final tip is to follow up with everyone who attended your charity auction. This not only shows your appreciation but also keeps donors connected to your cause, potentially turning one-time bidders into lifelong supporters.
While these tips and tricks for organising a charity auction should put you on the right track, check out our article on maximising social media impact for charity fundraisers to learn more about how you can leverage the power of social media for your next charity event.