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Common Ground News

What can you donate to auctions?

Author

Penelope Carter

Updated on March 14, 2026

What can you donate to auctions?

Top Auction Item Categories
  • Travel. Travel-related silent auction items are always a huge hit.
  • Outings and Experiences.
  • Sports Tickets, Memorabilia, and Activities.
  • Music.
  • Food.

Also asked, what items sell best at silent auctions?

Top 20 Best Selling Silent Auction Items

Auction Item Description% Above Fair Market Value
Popular home accessories480%
Fine dining restaurant certificates330% - 460%
Lottery ticket boards460%
Weekend hotel packages460%

Also, what do you donate to a silent auction? Outings and experiences can include a wide range of items, but some of our favorite include:

  • Spa days.
  • Local brewery tours.
  • Sunset or harbor cruises.
  • Museum tickets.
  • Comedy nights.
  • Hot air balloon rides.
  • Outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, bungee jumping)
  • Theme park tickets.

Likewise, what can you donate to a benefit auction?

  • Big Ticket Items. Travel Package. Signed Memorabilia. Custom Artwork. Children's Author Reading.
  • Mid-Range Sellers. Bar Crawl. Golf Lessons. Behind-the-Scenes Tours.
  • All Budgets. “Best Pizza in Town” Gift Baskets. Personal Assistant.
  • Additional Resources. Charity Auction Planning. Charity Auction Tools. Additional Auction Item Ideas.

How do you get stores to donate items?

Visit the store in person and present a verbal pitch to the owner or manager, then give them the hard copy. If you decide to make your pitch in person, ask for a donation on the spot while your cause is fresh in their mind--according to Fundsraiser, store owners may find it harder to refuse you in person than via mail.

Should you put a value on silent auction items?

Bottom line: In our experience, most items, particularly big-ticket live auction items, fare better without retail values. Together with your committee, decide which items could benefit from displaying retail values, such as high-value items bidders may significantly undervalue. And keep the focus on fundraising.

What is a silent donation?

Silent Donor™ is the largest anonymous donation platform in the US, allowing for people and companies to easily send anonymous donations to organizations they are passionate about, while enjoying the full protection of their privacy.

How can I get donations to auctions?

Tailor your auction items to what you know donors will want. When it comes to obtaining worthwhile donations, reach out early using corporate donation websites to request support. Contact your local supporters by phone and arrange a meeting to discuss your request and explain the benefits of donating auction items.

What are the best items to raffle off?

14 Raffle Prize Ideas to Raise Money for Charity (Without Breaking a Sweat)
  • A new car. There's a reason new cars are so popular on The Price Is Right.
  • Bucket-list sports trips.
  • Tropical getaways.
  • Indulgent gift baskets.
  • Electronics.
  • Gift cards and certificates.
  • Girls' Weekend.
  • Dinner parties.

Are items donated to a silent auction tax deductible?

Is the cost of attending a fundraising dinner or buying items at a charity auction a tax-deductible gift? The short answer is No. The donors get something back in return for the money they spent.

How many items should be in a silent auction?

Here's how many silent auction items we'd recommend you should have: Aim for a ratio of roughly one item to auction off for each guest that you're planning to have. If you don't get the ratio exactly right in your planning, you can adjust the presentation of your items to match this.

What are the best online auction sites?

Here are 30 alternatives to eBay that offer an online auction trading platform for online sellers.
  • uBid. uBid is a well-known name in online auctions.
  • MadBid. MadBid is a U.K.-based auction site.
  • AuctionZip.
  • eBid.
  • Listia.
  • Pickles Auctions.
  • ShopGoodwill.
  • The SaleRoom.

How do you ask for a donation at a silent auction?

Silent Auction Request Letter
  1. Introduce yourself and your group.
  2. Include event description, date, time, and place.
  3. Explain your need, i.e. why you are raising funds.
  4. Explain their benefit, i.e. what's in it for them.
  5. Specifically “ask” for their help.
  6. Give a psychological justification using “because”
  7. Include a donation form with contact information.

How can I make an auction fun?

9 Live Auction Fundraising Games
  1. Golden Ticket. Also known as the Pick of the Live, this is a terrific way to make more than you normally would from one live auction item.
  2. 10X Envelope Cash Grab.
  3. The Thin Green Line.
  4. Prize-In-A-Box.
  5. Heads or Tails.
  6. Wine Toss.
  7. Raffles.
  8. Banned Word Bid.

How much does Givesmart cost?

Just $249 plus $1 per person. Unlimited items, 24/7 live support with a real person! A web-based software platform for online bidding and auction management.

How can I make a lot of money for a fundraiser?

These quick and easy fundraising ideas require relatively little investment of time and money compared to their potential results and popularity with donors:
  1. 50/50 Raffle.
  2. Coffee Bean Sale.
  3. Dog Walking.
  4. Text-to-Give Tools.
  5. Penny Drive.
  6. Specific Date and Amount Fundraiser.
  7. Used Book Sale.
  8. Holiday Candygrams.

How do you host a successful silent auction?

Rules of a Silent Auction
  1. Recruit your dream team. One of the most important steps for a successful silent auction is an effective team of people who will drive the event to success.
  2. Find the right balance of auction items.
  3. Pre-promotion and invitations.
  4. Venue.
  5. Item display and layout.
  6. Registration.
  7. Bid Sheets.
  8. Bid Increments.

How do you win a silent auction?

Silent auctions
  1. First, make your choice(s). Many items might tempt you, but force yourself to choose only a few that you really want to win.
  2. Consider enlisting a buddy. No one wants to help a competitor, so pick someone who is bidding on different items.
  3. Decide on a strategy.
  4. Go in for the kill.

What is a tricky tray auction?

The Tricky Tray, also known as a basket raffle or penny sale, is a common fundraising game used to draw in donors who can only give a little, but enjoy the art of competition and games of chance. Essentially, the Tricky Tray is a combination of a silent auction and a raffle concept.

What are the rules for a silent auction?

Rules For Silent Auctions
  • By bidding in Your Organization's silent auctions, each bidder agrees to these auction rules.
  • All sales are final.
  • The auction item value listed is an estimate of fair market value.
  • Restaurant certificates do not include alcohol, tax, or gratuities unless specified.

How do you hold a charity auction?

Planning a Charity Auction: A Beginner's Guide
  1. Decide which type of auction to host. Table arrangements and five course meals.
  2. Set a budget and a goal.
  3. Recruit a team.
  4. Solicit auction items.
  5. Set a date and book a venue.
  6. Promote your auction.
  7. Set up and execute your auction.
  8. Thank contributors and track your performance.

What do you do in a silent auction?

During a silent auction, bids are written on a sheet of paper that is commonly placed before or next to the item. At the predetermined end of the auction, the highest listed bidder wins the item. This auction is often used in charity events, with many items auctioned simultaneously and "closed" at a common finish time.

How do you pack items for silent auction?

Silent Auction Packaging & Procurement: 5 Tips [Updated]
  1. Focus on your best silent auction items.
  2. Avoid too much cellophane in silent auction packaging.
  3. Don't over-bundle your standalone auction items.
  4. Have purpose with your silent auction packaging.
  5. Create a dazzling auction item display.

What is silent auction?

A silent auction is an event at which items for sale are displayed for attendees to assess, place bids on, and purchase. However, unlike most auctions, there is no auctioneer present, and participants place their bids silently and anonymously on a bid sheet using a bidding number—hence the name silent auction.

How do you set a price for a silent auction?

Donated Items: For donated items, the starting bid should be 30% of the fair market value (FMV) of the item. For example, if an item's fair market value is $100, you should start bidding at $30. Consignment Items: For consignment items, bidding should start at 10% above the cost of the item to the charity.

How do I host an online auction?

10 Tips to Host a Successful Online Auction
  1. Take Stock of Your Items. First, inventory all of the items you were planning to include during your in-person auction.
  2. Set Your Starting Bids Properly.
  3. Define the Rules.
  4. Promote Everything.
  5. Use Photos.
  6. Use Buy Now and Max Bidding.
  7. Host a Multi-Day Auction.
  8. Lead Into a Virtual Event.

What is a service auction?

Essentially you are raising money by offering the skills and services of your supporters to the highest bidder. These are skills or services that people are already paying for, so its easy to get bidders interested in these types of auction items.

Which companies donate the most to charity?

Here's a look at some of the US companies that donate the most to charity.
  1. Gilead Sciences leads the pack in charitable giving for 2017.
  2. Wells Fargo & Company gives back locally and nationally.
  3. Goldman Sachs Group has increased its giving since 2007.
  4. Google gives back via Google.org, its philanthropic arm.

How do you attract donors?

The following are twelve proven techniques that some of the most successful nonprofit organizations swear by:
  1. Go Mobile.
  2. Have Branded Campaigns.
  3. Draw Attention Where it Counts.
  4. Use Captivating Photos.
  5. Be Transparent.
  6. Use Donation Tiers.
  7. Simplify the Donation Process.
  8. Provide a Recurring Donation Option.

What are the most profitable fundraisers?

Here are our top 10 fundraising event ideas:
  • Car Wash.
  • Spaghetti Dinner.
  • Auction.
  • Fundraising Raffle.
  • Jeans or Casual Dress Day.
  • Bake Sale.
  • Yard Sale.
  • Holiday Themes.

How do I ask a large company for donations?

Whether you're asking for monetary donations, volunteer time, or in-kind donations, our tips can help guide you toward fundraising success.
  1. Determine which companies you should ask.
  2. Find a point of contact.
  3. Think about what you can offer in return.
  4. Make the ask!
  5. Follow up.
  6. Say “thank you“
  7. How to cultivate companies.

Does Costco donate to nonprofits?

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale's primary charitable efforts focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business.

Does Amazon donate to nonprofits?

Is there any cost to charitable organizations or to customers? No. There is no cost to charitable organizations or to AmazonSmile customers. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to the charitable organizations selected by customers.

How do you ask for a fundraiser donation?

Share this article
  1. Do research beforehand.
  2. Form a strong relationship before you make your ask.
  3. Meet them where they are.
  4. Practice your pitch.
  5. Communicate in a variety of ways.
  6. Be genuine, direct, and specific.
  7. Be prepared for rejections.
  8. Say thank you more than once.

Does Best Buy donate to nonprofits?

Best Buy focuses its philanthropic giving on causes that promote technological literacy. Best Buy is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations and programs that provide teens with opportunities to develop technology skills. Nonprofits must first complete the online grant eligibility quiz.

Does target donate to nonprofits?

Local Store Giving: Our local stores care about the communities they are in. If your organization is a non-profit 501(c) 3, accredited school or government agency, you may go to our store to request a Target GiftCard donation. An average donation is $25-50 with the maximum donation of $500 per year, per agency.

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