What are silent auctions? A Nonprofit’s Guide

Holidays are a fantastic time for auctions and events of all kinds, and they lend themselves wonderfully to a variety of different auction items. They often generate much more interest than any of the individual components would on their own. Choose those themes that you know would appeal to your audience most. I’ve gotten some of my best clients (and made some new friends, too) via silent auctions because I’ve taken the time to build relationships with them.
In fact, not all of your guests will have won items, placed bids, or even paid for their tickets. Here I’ll cover four best practices that can help your organization get well on your way to silent auction success. With these ideas in mind, you’re sure to conjure up great auction gift ideas that will get your donors excited to attend. No matter the kind of silent auction you plan on doing, here are the best practices to make sure the event progresses without any hindrance. Encourage them to register in advance with early-bird discounts and other incentives, like early access to bidding.
The most successful silent auctions are planned months in advance so that your planning committee has plenty of time to secure high-interest auction items. A silent auction is an event at which items for sale are displayed for attendees to browse, place bids on, and purchase. However, unlike traditional auctions, there is no auctioneer present.
Assign those jobs to your volunteers
and ensure that they are fully trained, briefed and equipped to complete the job/s. At different stages of organizing your event you will need to delegate other organizing jobs to committee members and ensure that all aspects of the auction are covered. An auction gets easier and more successful
every year that you run it. Some of the main objectives when running an association are to drive user engagement, grow membership through recruitment and renewals, and boost nondues revenue sources. As fundraising silent auction knows, hosting collaborative and engaging events can go a long way toward accomplishing these goals.
Closing in stages also maximizes the number at eyes looking at every item. This means more attention is drawn to items and healthy bidding competition can increase. Most silent auctions have items, but a successful auction can include fewer options. It can be tough to come up with possibilities, so check out Let’s Roam’s list of silent auction ideas.
The Montana Professional Artists Association is an organization that promotes the many talented artists of Montana. The MPAA mission is to recognize, promote and showcase the current art scene in the Big Sky Country. It was started 30 years ago, in 1993, by four artists Mari Bolen, Michele Kapor, J.R. Eason and Jerry Johnson (deceased). MPAA has grown exponentially and created shows in Hamilton, Missoula, Darby, Bozeman, Big Sky, Whitefish and Helena. Ryan Jolley, owner of Jolley Fine Art, was born and raised in Victor. His family has lived in the Bitterroot Valley for seven generations.