Silent Auction Item Ideas

So, what should be up for bid at a silent auction? Silent auctions hold many opportunities to gain long-term supporters, and it is your job to create a fun and exciting event that they will remember. Let’s discover the best silent auction ideas to engage your donors!

Catering

Offering catering as a gift is an excellent item for an auction. People may have a wedding or holiday event or simply want to entertain guests, and a catered meal is just what they are looking for. Contact catering companies in your area or research where your online bidders live good silent auction items and secure a donation. The best way to ensure a donation is to set terms and conditions. For instance, they may offer their services for a small, intimate gathering instead of a huge wedding. Other conditions can include the time of year the event should be hosted and the length.

An Outdoor Adventure

Outdoor adventures are fun for the whole family! Unfortunately, life gets busy, and we spend our days running around after the kids or endless hours at work. So why not spark their imagination and encourage outdoor excitement with some adventure?

Let’s discover some great outdoor adventures to offer as an auction item:

• A tour through a national park
• Horseback riding excursions
• Camping or glamping experience
• Fishing trip
• Surfing lessons
• Zoo tickets
• Guided ATV tour

 Skydiving Excursion

Skydiving has substantial financial potential! So many people have skydiving on their bucket list, which could be their opportunity to do what they’ve always wanted. Contact your local skydiving companies and see who wants to partner with your nonprofit. Offer them free publicity for a free jump.

If you have daredevil attendees, maybe offer a group package! It will be a great opportunity to network with like-minded people and make new friends while making money for your charity.

 Car Wash

Who doesn’t love the new car smell? Offer a year’s worth of car washes as an auction item. This can be a hot ticket because everyone enjoys a clean car. Generate hype on your car wash item by offering detailing as well. You can give daily or monthly washes or opt for unlimited yearly car washes with a bi-annual detailing service, often costing hundreds of dollars.

 Fitness Package

Fitness packages can include a gym membership. Go a step further and couple it with the fitness basket, including dumbbells, a yoga mat, protein bars, workout videos, and more! Add a gift card to a sporting goods store so they can buy sporting clothes or gym equipment.

Another item you can do alone or add to the package is online workout classes, which will appeal to them no matter where your attendees live.

 Date Night

Here is an auction item that your attendees may love! It can appeal to singles or couples because a date night package can be used by two friends, too. Have a fun night planned where the winning bidders can have local cuisine at their favorite restaurant, followed by karaoke. Group this item with cooking classes to have a fun-filled day. Comedy night is a popular event for date night and will bring in high bids.

Other date night ideas include:

• Pottery classes for two
• Go-kart racing
• Tickets to an amusement park
• Axe throwing
• Mini Golf
• Spa day

 Hobby Kits

Many people have hobbies and fill up their free time by doing something they love. It could be crocheting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, woodworking, and painting. You can make various types of hobby kits or do some research on the attendees.

If they like poker, get a poker set with dice, betting chips, and playing cards. You could even add a buy-in to a virtual poker tournament. There are many options to add to your silent auction; some will sell for good money.

Conclusion

Silent auctions are successful additions to your charity’s fundraising event. This is an excellent opportunity for your nonprofit to generate funding, expand its donor base, and spread the word about its mission. In addition, you can collect thousands of dollars by including attractive items, events, and experiences in many areas of interest.