Whether holding a live auction, silent auction, or fundraiser that combines both – if you are going to make money for your charity to have to have the best auction items.

What are the Best Auction Items?

The best auction items are:

• Highly coveted
• Hard to get on one’s own
• Experiential
• Unique
• Priced within reach

Ideas for Live Auction Items

Here are some ideas for live auction items that are sure to drive revenue and get the crowd bidding.

• Tour of a well known museum at night when the museum is closed
• Travel package that includes hotel, dinner, tickets to an event
• Golf at an exclusive course
• Tickets to an event that are extremely hard to get (i.e. Saturday Night Live)
• Dinner/lunch with a celebrity
• Tour of a stadium pre-game and meet and greet with athletes
• Tour of a local news station
• Sit in a broadcast booth during a game
• Collector’s edition artwork
• Memberships to exclusive clubs, events, etc.
• Dinner party package – catering, beverages, music/entertainment
• Sports memorabilia and tickets to an event by that team

Ideas for Silent Auction Items

Here are some ideas for silent auction items that are sure to drive revenue and get the crowd bidding.

• Gift certificate to dinner at well known local restaurant
• Clothing/ties from highly coveted brand names
• Handbags from luxury designers
• Jewelry from luxury designers
• Packages of like items (i.e. take items that are similar and create a bigger, more exclusive package item)
• Spa days (i.e. hair, makeup, massages, etc.)
• Health and fitness items (i.e. classes, one-on-one yoga, tennis lessons, etc.)
• Art work (i.e. paintings, studio sessions, photography seating, etc.)
• Additional services (i.e. pet walking, home cleaning, etc.)
• Kids gift certificates, services
• Cookbooks with gourmet gift basket
• Bottles of wine
• Technology gadgets (cameras, etc.)
• Tickets to the ballet, theatre, concerts, etc.

What was the best item you auctioned off at a fundraiser?

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