Hold a charity auction
How to hold a charity auction
Before you begin the bidding and raising money, you’ll need to decide what type of charity auction you’d like to organise and find your auction prizes.
Importantly, you’ll need to source a tiny hammer – charity auctions are incomplete without one!
Choose your auction prizes
The better your prizes are the more people will bid in your charity auction. Approach local shops, travel agents, sports clubs, hotels, restaurants and your work and see if they are able to donate prizes. You could even ask friends and family to donate items to auction.
Make sure to consider the age of people taking part and whether it is appropriate considering the prizes.
Choose your auction style
Traditional charity auction
Go old school. Start the bidding low, and let your bidders battle it out, with the highest bid taking home the prize.
Dutch fundraising auctions
This is exactly the same as a traditional auction but instead of starting the bidding with a low price you go high! Slowly decrease the price of the item until someone matches it.
Silent charity auction
Auction items are displayed around the room for attendees to browse and place written bids on. The highest bid at the end of the auction wins the item.
Online fundraising auction
You can increase the number of potential bidders by taking your fundraising online. Ebay for Charity is a great site to auction your items.
Spread the word
Finally, you need to let people know when and where they will be able to bid for your fantastic prizes. Check out our guide to promoting your event and boost your fundraising.
