| One of the challenges of hosting benefit auctions is | | | | around for the day to see how things actually work |
| finding suitable items that your attendees will eagerly | | | | and participating in selected meetings or public events. |
| want to bid on. It can be difficult at times to find | | | | You can also allow the winning bidder to play scientist |
| enough donated items to fill your auction roster. Those | | | | for the day if that is something the organization has. |
| are the times to get creative and find novel solutions | | | | Another idea is to go on a trip with members of the |
| to your problem. | | | | organization, to assist them with things such as |
| Many people who organize benefit auctions often think | | | | research and documentation. Nonprofit organizations |
| in terms of finding material goods for people to bid on. | | | | that do missions trips could offer to bring a guest along. |
| Unfortunately, our current economy has meant that | | | | With any of these suggestions, it's also a great idea to |
| there's been a lot of belt-tightening for businesses who | | | | have someone from your local media come out and |
| may have been very generous in the past with their | | | | do a write up on the bidder's activities for the day or |
| donations. However, many charities and other | | | | whatever time period that they will be involved. Having |
| organizations that rely on fund raising to keep their | | | | the journalists take pictures and write a quick article is |
| operations going may have the answer sitting right in | | | | an excellent carrot for potential bidders. |
| front of them. An excellent option to place up for bid is | | | | So the next time you're scrambling for ideas on how |
| the opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes look | | | | to obtain items for your benefit auction, think outside |
| at the operations, or to participate in some of the | | | | the box and you might just raise even more money |
| organization's initiatives and activities. | | | | than you would have otherwise. |
| These can be things like shadowing the group's leader | | | | |