Charity Auction - 5 Event Tips
Five Components of a Record-Breaking Charity Auction
Procuring Items
Think “priceless.” Your donors want to bid on things they can’t get anywhere else - exclusive experiences or unique items that can only be found at your event. If bidders can buy the same thing off a shelf or online, it’s not nearly as exciting. Imagine a one-week stay at the Board Chair’s personal vacation home, lunch with a prominent leader, or a walk-on part in a beloved local performance. These special experiences make bidders go crazy.
Donors
The best donors are the ones who want those priceless experiences no matter the cost. When they RSVP, seat them front and center so your auctioneer can engage them directly.
Without the right donors, a $20,000 item can easily sell for $2,000.
That’s why it's smart to form a small committee to help identify and invite high-potential guests. Start with your network you’d be surprised who you're missing. Ask your board, sponsors, and friends who they know. The right people in the room make all the difference.
Benefit Auctioneering Specialist
During a crucial half hour, your auctioneer asks your top donors for their support. Without a certified Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) like me, Myles Goodman, you risk leaving money on the table. Hiring a BAS-trained professional is an investment that pays off someone who knows how to engage donors, build momentum, and maximize giving, even in tough situations. Avoid volunteers, celebrities, or family members without specialized experience. Your event deserves a proven expert who can deliver results and surpass last year’s totals.
Sound System
Even the best auctioneer can’t do their job if only a few people can hear them. Charity auctions are loud, lively events that require a sound system tailored to the setting not just the band’s gear or leftover conference equipment.
A professional sound system and operator cost much less than you might expect and is an investment you’ll make back through better donor engagement and higher bids. With the right setup, every donor hears perfectly and stays fully engaged throughout the event.
Paddles Up
You miss 100% of the donations you don’t ask for! With hundreds of attendees but only a few live auction items, many guests and runner-up bidders walk away with money still in their pockets from items they didn’t win.
The “Paddles Up” appeal also known as Fund-a-Need is the fastest and most effective way to boost donations. A short emotional trigger can make all the difference, and we know how to communicate that to inspire giving.