Auction Fundraising Ideas
A search for auction fundraising ideas will lead from common, to fun, to outrageous activities that can bring money pouring in. An auction, by traditional definition, is an event where goods or property are bid upon by several people and then sold to the highest bidder. Using that definition as a base and then expounding on it, one could say that an auction is a process in which a price is set, then incrementally different values are placed upon the item of value until the value stabilizes. This type of event is often open to the public. This assures a variety of bids and the probability that the target will illicit the highest possible price. There are auction fundraising ideas of all types held by different organizations throughout the the world. The "English" auction probably has the most popular format for auctioning items. Individuals gather in a room. The auctioneer begins the opening bid at a price under which the lowest bid cannot go. Then, the bidding begins. Each person who is interested in the bidding process will place their bid, and re-bid over and over again until there is only one bidder left. That person has offered the highest bid and garners the item to themselves.
A Dutch auction works quite the opposite. Not very common when it comes to auction fundraising ideas, this type of activity is most often used to set the price of bulk items. The auctioneer sets a price, then incrementally decreases the price until bidders respond. Bidders stop the auctioneer when they hear the price they are comfortable with. This system works well when selling multiple units of the same item. It helps to set a specific price and then everyone pays that price. It would make sense to set a price below which the lowest bid could not go. Whether going up or down, an auction gives the price reins to the bidder. The bidder will not pay more than they are comfortable paying for the item. Some auctions do not allow people, other than the producers of the event, to have access to the bid amounts. These are frequently referred to as silent auctions. The process is such that people write their bids and either hand them in or mail them in. As auction fundraising ideas go, this process allows people to really value the item or service as they see fit. There is no peer pressure or other nudges that would cause a person to bid this or that price. In the case where they hand them in, the item or items being bid on are located in a facility; often in a party atmosphere. The bids are opened and the winner is announced to the public. People are frequently surprised when the winning bid is announced.
Anyone who has searched for auction fundraising ideas knows that those outlined above are the most commonly used fundraising processes for school fundraisers, music charities, and athletic teams. Although those are the types of bidding processes, the actual fundraising idea lies in the product, item, or service being offered. White elephant sales are quite prevalent. A white elephant is not an actual elephant, but an item that is not desirable to the person who owns the white elephant. A white elephant has a value to its owner that is out of proportion to its usefulness. Even though most people may not know the origin of the term "white elephant," the current usage of the term is when a person buys an item and their tastes have changed, or someone gave the item to them as a gift and it does not fit their decor. Whatever the reason that the item is regarded as a "white elephant." The person wants to donate the item to charity. White elephant sales often are at the top of the list for auction fundraising ideas and very common indeed.
A more fun auction could focus on a theme like one of the Disney characters. Say for example, the theme of Aladdin. Included may be unusual lamps, ornate tasseled carpets, Arabian-inspired furnishings, vacations to the Arabian desert, and Arabian cloth or clothing. All donated by members or corporate sponsors. The location would be all done up as an Arabian marketplace. The auctioneer could dress up as Aladdin. The presenter could dress as Princess Jasmine. Another fun idea would be a clown theme. Everything in the room would be very bright. All donations of items could be focused on those items whose colors are primary colors. Colorful art, balloons, children's toys and furniture decorate the auction hall. As far as auction fundraising ideas go, both of these themes would be a perfect fit to raise money for a children's cause. "And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate." (1 Chronicles 26:13)
An activity that is sure to raise money, is the idea of auctioning personalities, or personal or professional time. Generally, people are enamored with celebrity. If a cause has a celebrity spokesperson or a someone of celebrity is a member of the organization, instant auction fundraising ideas come to mind. The celebrity can agree to go somewhere or do something that a fan would love the opportunity to go or do with that person. For example, the celebrity says they will spend an afternoon boating with a person. The highest bid turns out to be $3,000. Though that seems like a lot of money to spend time with a person, if the fan is really committed, they will pay to get that time slot. On the other hand, when no celebrity is handy, babysitting, income tax preparation, house cleaning, garden planting, running errands, giving a teen driving lessons, organizing computer files, and changing the car oil are some of the more eclectic of possible auction fundraising idea. Ideas for this purpose are limitless. Though themes bring charm, celebrities bring big bucks.
A Dutch auction works quite the opposite. Not very common when it comes to auction fundraising ideas, this type of activity is most often used to set the price of bulk items. The auctioneer sets a price, then incrementally decreases the price until bidders respond. Bidders stop the auctioneer when they hear the price they are comfortable with. This system works well when selling multiple units of the same item. It helps to set a specific price and then everyone pays that price. It would make sense to set a price below which the lowest bid could not go. Whether going up or down, an auction gives the price reins to the bidder. The bidder will not pay more than they are comfortable paying for the item. Some auctions do not allow people, other than the producers of the event, to have access to the bid amounts. These are frequently referred to as silent auctions. The process is such that people write their bids and either hand them in or mail them in. As auction fundraising ideas go, this process allows people to really value the item or service as they see fit. There is no peer pressure or other nudges that would cause a person to bid this or that price. In the case where they hand them in, the item or items being bid on are located in a facility; often in a party atmosphere. The bids are opened and the winner is announced to the public. People are frequently surprised when the winning bid is announced.
Anyone who has searched for auction fundraising ideas knows that those outlined above are the most commonly used fundraising processes for school fundraisers, music charities, and athletic teams. Although those are the types of bidding processes, the actual fundraising idea lies in the product, item, or service being offered. White elephant sales are quite prevalent. A white elephant is not an actual elephant, but an item that is not desirable to the person who owns the white elephant. A white elephant has a value to its owner that is out of proportion to its usefulness. Even though most people may not know the origin of the term "white elephant," the current usage of the term is when a person buys an item and their tastes have changed, or someone gave the item to them as a gift and it does not fit their decor. Whatever the reason that the item is regarded as a "white elephant." The person wants to donate the item to charity. White elephant sales often are at the top of the list for auction fundraising ideas and very common indeed.
A more fun auction could focus on a theme like one of the Disney characters. Say for example, the theme of Aladdin. Included may be unusual lamps, ornate tasseled carpets, Arabian-inspired furnishings, vacations to the Arabian desert, and Arabian cloth or clothing. All donated by members or corporate sponsors. The location would be all done up as an Arabian marketplace. The auctioneer could dress up as Aladdin. The presenter could dress as Princess Jasmine. Another fun idea would be a clown theme. Everything in the room would be very bright. All donations of items could be focused on those items whose colors are primary colors. Colorful art, balloons, children's toys and furniture decorate the auction hall. As far as auction fundraising ideas go, both of these themes would be a perfect fit to raise money for a children's cause. "And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate." (1 Chronicles 26:13)
An activity that is sure to raise money, is the idea of auctioning personalities, or personal or professional time. Generally, people are enamored with celebrity. If a cause has a celebrity spokesperson or a someone of celebrity is a member of the organization, instant auction fundraising ideas come to mind. The celebrity can agree to go somewhere or do something that a fan would love the opportunity to go or do with that person. For example, the celebrity says they will spend an afternoon boating with a person. The highest bid turns out to be $3,000. Though that seems like a lot of money to spend time with a person, if the fan is really committed, they will pay to get that time slot. On the other hand, when no celebrity is handy, babysitting, income tax preparation, house cleaning, garden planting, running errands, giving a teen driving lessons, organizing computer files, and changing the car oil are some of the more eclectic of possible auction fundraising idea. Ideas for this purpose are limitless. Though themes bring charm, celebrities bring big bucks.
Auction Fundraising Ideas
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