Boost Fundraising Success with Auction Consignment Items

Auctions are one of the most popular ways nonprofits raise money, and for good reason; they have the potential to raise a lot of money. But finding the right items to attract bids can be tricky. Sometimes, nonprofits run out of creative ideas or are unsure which items people will actually want to buy. 

This is where consignment auction items can help your organization. These items can fill gaps in your auction lineup and help you raise more funds without extra hassle. 

In this blog, we'll share some simple tips on how your nonprofit can leverage consignment auction items to boost fundraising success and keep your supporters excited about bidding.

What Are Auction Consignment Items?

Auction consignment items are unique goods or experiences your nonprofit can offer at fundraising events without needing donations from supporters. Instead, you borrow items from a consignment company. 

After the event, if an item sells, your nonprofit pays the consignment provider its base rate, and your organization keeps any profit above the consignment cost, which helps you raise funds without financial risk. If it doesn't sell, there's no cost at all.

Unlike traditional donated items, which rely heavily on local businesses or community generosity, consignment items give your nonprofit access to appealing, hard-to-find experiences and products..

To get these items, your nonprofit collaborates with consignment companies that specialize in sourcing unique products. These companies let you select items from their inventory to showcase at your event. 

Examples of live auction consignment items include exciting vacation trips, such as luxury beach stays or ski resort weekends, rare sports collectibles autographed by professional athletes, and special VIP events like backstage concert access or celebrity meet-and-greets. 

These types of items tend to draw more attention from attendees and encourage higher bids.

How Auction Consignment Works for Fundraising

If your nonprofit is considering using consignment auction items for charity, here’s a quick, step-by-step breakdown to show you how it works:

1. First, your nonprofit chooses a trusted consignment provider. It’s important to pick a company with a good track record, transparent terms, and lots of great items. Check reviews and ask other nonprofits for recommendations to make sure you're partnering with someone reliable.
2. Next, you'll select the auction items you think your supporters will like most. Consider your audience's interests and spending habits. For example, signed memorabilia or VIP game tickets could be a perfect match if they love sports.
3. Once you’ve chosen your items, the consignment company gives you the cost they'll charge if each item sells. Set your minimum bid price above this cost to cover expenses, ensuring every item sold means extra funds for your mission.
4. Now you're ready to hold your auction. The consignment works great whether you're hosting a silent auction, a live event, or an online auction. Promote the items well, ensuring your supporters know what's special about each one.
5. After the auction, your nonprofit collects payments from winners and handles all the transactions. Then, you pay the consignment company the agreed-upon cost for each item that is sold. 
6. Your nonprofit keeps any money earned above that base rate, meaning you walk away with valuable funds to support your cause without any upfront costs.

Benefits of Using Auction Consignment Items

No Upfront Costs – Nonprofits don’t have to buy items in advance, reducing financial risk.

Access to High-Value Items – Luxury vacations, signed memorabilia, and VIP experiences attract more bidders.

More Bidding Excitement – Unique and exclusive items encourage competitive bidding.

Works for Any Auction Type – Ideal for live auction consignment items, silent auctions, and online events.

Easy to Manage – The consignment provider handles sourcing, shipping, and fulfillment.

Guaranteed Fundraising – The nonprofit keeps all proceeds above the consignment cost.

Attract More Attendees – High-end items bring in more guests who want a chance to win something special.

Adds Variety to Auctions – Supplements donated items, giving bidders more options.

Read our blog on What Is The Best Way To Display Silent Auction Items.

How To Choose the Right Consignment Items for Your Audience

Picking the right nonprofit auction items consignment is about knowing your supporters. You want to offer items that excite your audience and fit their interests so they feel motivated to bid.

Start by thinking about who attends your events. If most of your supporters are families, choose consignment silent auction items like amusement park tickets, family-friendly vacations, or museum memberships.

If your audience has a higher budget, luxury items or exclusive experiences can work well. Consider live auction consignment items such as trips to popular destinations, special dinners, or even backstage passes at concerts. 

Another smart approach is to look at past auctions. Notice which items received the most bids and raised the most money. Use that information to guide your choices this time around.

Finally, mix things up by including a variety of items with different price ranges. Offering a range means everyone, regardless of their budget, has a chance to participate.

How to Find the Best Auction Consignment Providers

Finding the right consignment provider is key to making your fundraising auction a success. But how do you pick a good one? Here are some easy steps to follow.

1. First, ask other nonprofits. Reach out to organizations similar to yours and see who they recommend for nonprofit auction items consignment. Learning from their experiences can save you time and trouble.
2. Remember, not all consignment companies specialize in fundraising events. Choose a provider that understands nonprofit needs and has experience with nonprofit auctions. They should offer a variety of items that work well for auctions.
3. Next, do a quick online search. Look for providers with solid reviews from other nonprofits. Pay attention to their reputation for customer service, reliability, and quality of their items.
4. Once you have a shortlist, contact them directly. Ask the consignment providers about their process, fees, and terms. Good providers are clear about pricing, easy to communicate with, and flexible enough to fit your event needs.
5. Also, see if they offer items that match your audience’s interests. For instance, if your supporters love sports, look for providers that have popular sports memorabilia or special VIP tickets.
6. Finally, check their payment terms carefully. Good consignment providers won’t require payment up front. You should only pay after the items sell at your auction. This way, your nonprofit can confidently choose items without taking financial risks.

Is Auction Consignment Right for Your Fundraiser?

Auction consignment can be a great way to add high-value items to your event without upfront costs. But is it the right fit for your nonprofit? Here’s how to decide.

How to Know If It’s a Good Fit

• Your audience enjoys bidding on unique or luxury items.
• You want to offer premium items, but don’t have direct donors for them.
• You’re hosting a live, silent, or online auction and need exciting options to increase participation.
• You want to reduce financial risk since you only pay for items that sell.

Who Benefits the Most?

Many types of organizations can take advantage of consignment auction items for charity, including:

• Nonprofits – Great for fundraising galas, donor events, and online auctions.
• Schools – Works well for PTA auctions.
• Charities – Helps attract high bids for important causes.
• Community Groups – Can add value to local events and benefit drives.

Using consignment auction items for charity can help nonprofits raise more funds without the challenge of securing high-value donations. If you’re looking for a way to increase bids and keep your auction exciting, consignment might be the right choice for your next fundraiser.

How BetterWorld Simplifies Auction Fundraising for Nonprofits

Why not host your next auction for free with BetterWorld’s Free Online Silent Auction Software? Over 100,000 nonprofits trust our platform, and 97% of them say they will use it again.

From text message notifications to mobile bidding, you’ll find everything you need in one place!

Our Free Online Fundraising Software and Modern Fundraising Tools help you raise even more with all fundraising solutions in one platform.

The best part? You get unlimited access to all features for free, so you can focus on your cause and keep every dollar you raise.

Why wait? Sign up now for free!