Platform Overview
View all the features available with Attendease
JustReg
Meet our simplified registration solution
Features
In-person
Hybrid
Virtual
BY TYPE
Blog
Keep up with the latest events news, topics and industry insights
Resources
Get the latest whitepapers, ebooks & videos on corporate events management
Support Center
Helpful answers from the Attendease team
Event Management News
April 16, 2024
Attendease
Fundraising events are mutually beneficial for all. Not only do these events provide nonprofits with funds to power their mission, but they also offer a meaningful experience for donors, allowing you to steward stronger relationships.
One of the best events to raise serious funds and engage donors is a charity auction. A charity auction is a high-energy, flexible event that is sure to excite any audience, whether it’s taking place online, in-person, or as a hybrid combination of both.
To help your nonprofit bring this engaging fundraising event idea to life, we’ll explore six innovative ideas to increase your ROI. But first, let’s uncover the fundamentals of charity auctions.
Auctions involve guests bidding on fun, unique, or luxurious items, and the highest bidder takes home the prize. There are three types of auctions:
Auctions involve an extensive planning process, including item procurement 9-12 months in advance, pre-event ticketing and registration, and logistics like booking the venue, catering, and technical equipment. This is why it’s essential to take ample time to prepare and get your team ready to host a show-stopping event!
Auctions have the potential to be highly lucrative, but to make the most of your fundraising efforts, you need the right strategies. Let’s jump into six proven ways you can accelerate your ROI and meet and exceed your goals.
Technology is a powerful force to increase efficiency and fundraising power for any event. OneCause recommends investing in auction software with intuitive features like:
Keep in mind that the right fundraising tool won’t just help you run auctions but will also make it simple to host fundraisers of all types, including walkathons, peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, and more. Invest in an all-in-one fundraising software to get the most bang for your buck.
GET THE FREE GUIDE: Leverage Effective Ticket Pricing Strategies & Sell Out Your Events
Social fundraising draws on the power of your supporter’s social networks to raise donations for your cause. The most common examples are:
Begin social fundraising in advance of your auction to help raise awareness and build excitement. At the event, announce how much was raised before your event even started to thank participants and show the power of social fundraising in action.
Ambassador fundraising leverages peer-to-peer fundraising by tasking ambassadors (your most loyal and involved supporters) to raise funds before, during, and after your auction.
There are three steps to successful ambassador fundraising:
Ambassadors can prove to be a valuable way to spread the word about your event, increasing attendance and total revenue. Make sure to properly prepare your ambassadors with any information they may need about the event, check in with them regularly, and thank them for their efforts.
GET THE FREE CHECKLIST: How To Boost Event Registration
Create an event microsite to provide guests with the information they need to participate and engage their networks. Include information like:
Then, include information about the items available for bidding:
Make sure that you generate an auction item list that aligns with your supporters’ interests and fits their budgets. This way, you can garner the most amount of bids possible.
LEARN MORE: 5 Tips to Streamline Web Communication for Healthcare Events
To spread the word, have members of your staff and volunteers share the link to your microsite widely on multiple channels, such as:
Taking a multichannel approach can help you increase touchpoints with supporters and keep your organization’s event top of mind. Pair your content with strong calls to action to register or donate early so you can spark engagement.
Raffles are a quick and easy addition to any fundraising event, including auctions. Simply sell raffle tickets throughout the event and draw a winner at the end of the night!
To add this to your event, make sure that your raffle is:
Consider selling raffle tickets ahead of your event. You’ll give guests a taste of what your event will entail (like a preview of an auction item) and build interest.
Keep in mind that raffles are technically considered gambling by the IRS. Check the laws of your state to determine if you’re able to host a raffle at all or if there are specific guidelines around how to conduct your own in-person or online raffle.
Using gamification is a powerful tool to add competition, fun, and fundraising momentum to any event. Leverage the following gamification features to amp up giving:
Gamification encourages guests to raise more and enhances their attendee experience. Check-in with your event guests regularly to assess their engagement and add in more gamification tactics as needed.
Through this guide, we’ve explored six revenue-boosting strategies to amplify your charity auction. Mix and match ideas or add your own unique twist on them to meet your audience’s preferences. By analyzing your donor data, you can make more informed decisions on how to organize events that will inspire generosity and resonate with donors.
LEARN MORE: Healthcare Events: Ideas for Every Size and Type
Incorporating charity auctions into your hospital fundraisers can be a game-changer for boosting revenue and engaging your supporters.
To streamline the planning and execution of your fundraising events, consider using an event management software like Attendease!
With features like branded event websites, simplified registration and ticketing, marketing automation, and robust reporting, our tools can help you save time, reduce stress, and create more successful fundraising events that drive your mission forward.
Book a demo to learn more today!
Event Trends
January 21, 2021
Event Management
January 12, 2021
January 5, 2021
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ