10+ Amazing Charity Auction Item Ideas
| Item | Ease | Bid Amount | Popularity | Who It’s Great For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Travel Package | ✓✓ | $$$ | +++++ | Jet Setters |
| 2. Signed Memorabilia | ✓ | $$$ | +++++ | Movies, Sports, or Music Fans |
| 3. Custom Artwork | ✓✓ | $$$ | +++++ | Art Lovers |
| 4. Children’s Author Reading | ✓ | $$$ | ++++ | Kids |
| 5. Bar Crawl | ✓✓✓✓ | $$ | ++++ | Young Adults |
| 6. Golf Lessons | ✓✓✓✓ | $$ | +++++ | Sports Fans |
| 7. Behind-the-Scenes Tours | ✓✓✓ | $$ | ++++ | All Audiences |
| 8. Spa Packages | ✓✓✓ | $$ | ++++ | Adults |
| 9. Best Pizza in Town | ✓✓✓ | $ | +++ | Families |
| 10. Gift Baskets | ✓✓✓✓✓ | $ | +++ | All Audiences |
| 11. Personalized Services | ✓✓✓✓ | $ | +++ | Professionals |
- Our Top Ideas
- 1. Travel Package
- 2. Signed Memorabilia
- 3. City Bar Crawl
- 4. Best Pizza in Town
- 5. Gift Baskets
Big-Ticket Charity Auction Item Ideas
Travel Package
Ease
✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $ $
Popularity
+ + + + +
What is the item?
Travel packages regularly top lists of the best auction items and for good reason—they’re unforgettable and often luxurious experiences! A travel package is a showstopping item that will attract attention to your event.
All that matters is that the winner of this item can get away from their day-to-day life to enjoy some traveling, an adventure, or a novel experience away from home!
Why is it popular?
Affluent adults, the primary charity auction demographic, place a greater emphasis on vacations as part of their routines. In particular, 44% of young high-income earners consider travel to be important, and they look for vacations that provide them with unique experiences and enrichment. Since that’s the case, travel-related items will be surefire sellers that can bring big bucks to your organization!
And what better travel-related item to offer at your auction than an actual opportunity to travel?
How do you procure it?
Many nonprofits purchase these from organizations that specifically partner with nonprofits to sell travel experiences. Nonprofits will reserve a travel experience from the provider and then accept bids on that item during the auction. After the auction is over, the nonprofit will only pay for the experiences that sell and keep any funds they garnered above the list price. It’s a great, no-risk way to raise more at your auction!
Signed Memorabilia
Ease
✓
Bid Amount
$ $ $
Popularity
+ + + + +
What is the item?
Signed memorabilia is anything that holds sentimental or nostalgic value and has been autographed by a celebrated public figure who is in some way related to that item.
Depending on the interests of your supporter base, you could feature a movie prop signed by a famous actor, an instrument autographed by a big-name musician, or a piece of equipment sporting a beloved athlete’s signature. And those are just a few of the possibilities!
Why is it popular?
If you can procure it, signed memorabilia is one of those auction items that could potentially spark bid wars. That’s because most memorabilia is rare, if not completely one-of-a-kind.
Plus, people tend to idolize their favorite celebrities. If your organization can find an item signed by a famous figure that will appeal to your supporter base, this item has the potential to be one of the most sought-after items in your auction.
How do you procure it?
Since signed memorabilia are so rare and valuable, you need to look in the right places to procure them as in-kind contributions for your auction. Start by connecting with your board members and major donors to see if they have relationships or connections you can leverage.
If you’re able to get in contact, you can also reach out to a celebrity yourself and see if they would be willing to provide a piece of signed memorabilia for a good cause. If not, you could always buy an item and try to sell it at a higher price, but this approach can be risky because auction participants often look for discounts on the prizes they bid on.
Custom Artwork
Ease
✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $ $
Popularity
+ + + + +
What is the item?
From paintings and sculptures to glasswork and jewelry, custom artwork can encompass all types of creations.
All that matters is that it’s been handcrafted and that the artwork is unique to your auction. While rare pieces that are in limited supply will still be popular, this item is at its best when it’s completely one-of-a-kind!
Why is it popular?
Many people won’t have the opportunity to purchase these one-of-a-kind pieces anywhere else, making it more likely for auction attendees to bid on these items. Plus, art is highly personal and emotionally charged—if your attendees find a piece that speaks to them, they’ll want to bid!
How do you procure it?
Get in touch with local artists and creatives to ask if they would agree to create a unique piece for your auction pro bono.
As is the case for most of the procurement process, it helps if you have a personal connection to leverage. Start by seeing who among your supporters is an artist or knows someone who might be willing to donate a piece.
Mid-Range Charity Auction Item Ideas
Bar Crawl
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $
Popularity
+ + + +
What is the item?
A city bar crawl is a night out on the town that your supporters can enjoy with their friends or significant others. To make this the ultimate auction item, map out a few popular nightlife spots in your area. Begin the crawl at a restaurant, then send your supporters to bars, lounges, or clubs.
See if the spots you select would be willing to donate free food, drinks, or other perks. And don’t forget to provide transportation, so the winners can enjoy the night responsibly.
Why is it popular?
Bar crawls are a fun way for your supporters to get to know their city after hours. Chances are that many of your participants would enjoy a night out on the town with tasty food and drinks, built-in transportation, and the company of their closest friends!
Plus, we’re willing to bet that, between work, family, and other day-to-day concerns, they probably don’t get to enjoy a night out as often as they’d like.
How do you procure it?
City bar crawls include many different components, so it will take some mixing and matching of donations to provide this item at your auction.
Partner with bars and restaurants in your area who are willing to sponsor this item by donating food and drinks at their venue. You’ll also need to solicit the services of a professional chauffeur who can drive the winner and their friends around from spot to spot.
Golf Lessons
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $
Popularity
+ + + + +
What is the item?
Leave the birdies behind and start scoring those holes-in-one! For this auction item, one aspiring golfer will win two months’ worth of lessons (one lesson per week) from a professional golf teacher.
Leave the lessons as open-ended as possible to account for a range of schedules and experience levels. This item will have the biggest appeal if you make it as flexible as possible.
Why is it popular?
Golf is a popular pastime with the typical auction crowd. In fact, golf tournaments are some of the most popular settings for silent auctions!
That being the case, chances are that golf-related prizes will really appeal to your attendees. Plus, lessons are a lifelong gift; the winner won’t just receive classes, but they’ll also walk away with new skills that they can use for years to come!
How do you procure it?
Are there any golf courses in your area that offer lessons? Get in contact and ask if they could donate two or so months’ worth of lessons. If not, there’s bound to be someone in your supporter base who has a membership to a golf course and would be willing to teach the winner a few tricks.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $
Popularity
+ + + +
What is the item?
Behind-the-scenes tours can refer to a whole range of experiences, from visiting a movie set during filming to getting an insider’s view of a local business to trailing the coach of your city’s professional baseball team for a day.
No matter the context, the winner of this item will get an exclusive look into what goes on behind the scenes in a place where they’re usually not allowed to tread.
Why is it popular?
It’s been a common theme throughout this list: the items that offer the winner something rare or exclusive are the ones that tend to raise the most money during charity auctions.
This is especially true for experiences. Many donors would prefer to spend their auction money making memories than they would on buying a product. If you can find the experience that will most appeal to them, you’ll have a winner on your hands!
How do you procure it?
To procure the item that’s most likely to please, start by determining which type of experience would most appeal to your donors. Analyze your donor data to gain some insights.
Then, reach out and ask your connections to donate the experience. So, for example, if you wanted to offer an insider’s tour of a popular local business, you’d get in touch with some hot spots in your area.
Spa Packages
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$ $
Popularity
+ + + +
What is the item?
With spa packages, you’re auctioning off a full spa experience that a lucky winner will get to redeem and enjoy. These experiences usually include massages, manicures, pedicures, skincare treatments, and more.
To increase interest in this item, you can offer spa packages for two. That way, couples will be able to enjoy a relaxing spa experience together.
Why is it popular?
Everyone deserves to relax and be pampered now and then. Your auction’s attendees are likely busy individuals who may not have as much time to unwind as they want. Plus, spa experiences are often seen as unnecessary luxuries.
Auctioning off a spa package for your charitable cause allows bidders to feel good about spending money on a self-care session. They’ll get a relaxing experience and help out a good cause!
How do you procure it?
Reach out to massage businesses, spas, and wellness centers and ask if they’d be open to donating a free spa experience to your auction. In particular, a small business may be grateful for the opportunity, as it allows them to advertise their services to your auction-goers.
Focus on businesses that have unique offerings to make this auction item more appealing to attendees. For example, a spa that offers a luxury caviar facial or a massage practice that offers dedicated scalp massages to revitalize clients’ hair are sure to be hits!
Charity Auction Item Ideas for All Budgets
Best Pizza in Town
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$
Popularity
+ + +
What is the item?
Best Pizza in Town combines one of the most universally beloved foods with a fun, competitive challenge. This auction item is a package of gift cards (usually good for a family of four) to local pizzerias. The winner will try out each restaurant’s pizza and decide which wins the title of “Best Pizza in Town!”
Not only is this a delicious prize for the item winner, but the pizzerias who agree to donate gift cards will also receive additional advertising (and bragging rights!).
Why is it popular?
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a tasty slice of pizza. And the winner of Best Pizza in Town won’t only get to sample one delicious pizza—they’ll get to try a whole selection of your community’s finest offerings!
Plus, the game-like nature of this auction item is sure to appeal to many in your audience. It’s a special opportunity for one’s opinion to have so much authority.
How do you procure it?
To procure this item, get in contact with as many pizzerias in your area as you can. The more gift certificates you can procure, the more this item will go for at your auction. While chains are still a viable option, try to stick to local businesses to make this prize more unique.
When procuring, you should definitely emphasize the potential for additional advertising for each pizzeria. The chance of increased visibility can be a huge incentive to donate.
Gift Baskets
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$
Popularity
+ + +
What is the item?
Gift baskets are popular auction items that bundle a bunch of items under a common theme, increasing their total value. For example, you could create a Spa Day gift basket that includes sheet masks, nail polish, pedicure accessories, and other relaxing goodies. Or, you could compile a coffee-themed basket that includes an assortment of whole and ground coffees and accessories.
The possibilities on this are endless, so think about what your supporters would like and get creative with it!
Why is it popular?
Gift baskets have a grab-bag feel that can spark your supporters’ curiosity. It’s fun to open up a basket and check out all of the small trinkets inside!
Plus, baskets are flexible items that can be customized to your donors’ particular interests. You can center them around practically anything to appeal to what your supporters enjoy most. If you’re able to figure out just what that is, you’ll have a hot seller on your hands!
Personalized Services
Ease
✓ ✓ ✓
Bid Amount
$
Popularity
+ + +
What is the item?
The winner of this item will receive a personalized and professional service, ranging from home organization to photography sessions to fitness training. It all depends on what type of service you auction off!
No matter what the service is, the winner will be able to save time or get professional help for a hobby or interest. That way, they can spend their time doing something they want to do and seriously improving at it!
Why is it popular?
We all lead busy lives and have a never-ending to-do list of tasks that we need to complete but would rather not. The winner of this auction item will receive a valuable gift in the form of time or tutelage. If you’ve ever wanted to do something but lacked the know-how, this auction item will help you bridge that gap!
In other words, this item is truly priceless. We’re sure there will be tons of people attending your auction who would like to walk home with it!
How do you procure it?
Luckily, this item is very easy to procure. All you need to find is someone who would be willing to give their time to help the auction winner, whether through running errands or teaching them how to knit.
It shouldn’t be too hard to find someone among your supporter base who’s willing to donate their time. Start with your volunteers since they’ve already shown a willingness to do that! You could also approach potential corporate sponsors about this item—for instance, a local gym might be willing to donate a predetermined number of sessions with a personal trainer.
Additional Charity Auction Resources
Extra Charity Auction Item Ideas
Need some more ideas for items to auction off during your nonprofit’s next charity auction? Check out this list of amazing auction item ideas for every type of nonprofit organization.
Charity Auction Software
A charity auction is only as successful as the software that your nonprofit uses to host it. Take a look at this list of top silent auction software providers and choose one of them for your next auction!
Thanking Donors
Your organization relies on the generosity of donors to procure the items needed for your charity auctions. Be sure to show your gratitude for their gifts. If you need inspiration, head over to this guide to thanking your donors!
