BetterWorld

The Do’s & Don’ts Of Charity Auction Etiquette

By Whit Hunter

Want to build an effective fundraising campaign?

Our team is here to give you more details and guides on how to grow your fundraiser.

Book a Demo with Us →

You know your nonprofit is doing amazing work, but how can you inspire others in your community to financially support your mission? Get them excited by organizing a charity auction!

Auctions for charity draw attention to your cause while engaging your community with your cause. They come in many variations, from virtual events that take place entirely online to silent auctions to live, in-person bidding. No matter the style, auctions can be exciting and fun ways to leverage friendly competition while encouraging people to support a great cause.

Free online platforms, like BetterWorld, make it easy for you to organize, host, and execute a fun night that everyone will remember. Reach out to our team today to explore all the tools we offer that will make getting the word out about your important work even easier.

Which Auction Format Is Best?

Charity auctions are powerful fundraising tools that allow nonprofit development teams. They allow nonprofits to make meaningful connections with small- and medium-sized business owners in their community. People who donate their items to charities learn about your mission while marketing their businesses to new customers.

Meanwhile, nonprofit representatives can strengthen their relationships with supporters by offering the items and experiences they want without breaking the bank to provide the prizes. People often get very excited about participating in auction events which is why they usually have a very high return on investment.

Before planning your nonprofit’s event, consider which type of charity auction would work best for your organization.

In-Person Live Auctions

Often created in tandem with galas or other in-person events, live auctions are probably what you think about when you think of auctions for charity: a professional at the front of the room rapidly calling bids and bringing in donation after donation.

Charity Silent Auctions

Also set up for in-person browsing, a silent auction usually contains large quantities of items, sometimes grouped together in baskets. Historically, a bid sheet would be placed in front of each item with a starting bid of 30-40% of the market value of the items. On each subsequent line, a person can bid for 10% more by simply writing their names. At the end of the silent auction time limit, whoever bids the highest donation on the bid sheet wins the item.

Online Charity Auctions

An online charity auction has all of the similar characteristics of a live, silent auction, but the added benefits of an online format. This allows for broader donor participation, greater social reach and increased bidding activity.

Due to its ability to reach more people and raise more money, online auctions have become one of the best and most popular options for fundraising for charities. When a charity partners with an online fundraising platform such as BetterWorld, it eliminates many overhead expenses. Fewer expenses mean more money for your cause!

How to Run an Online Auction for Charity

Do: Think of Your Audience

The key to hosting a successful event is to think of your audience as you’re collecting charity auction items. Approach brands and businesses that have a good reputation in your community for donations.

Your donor base may also have something to offer, such as weekend cabins or skills that they can donate to your cause. Look for items that will be popular with both men and women, young families, and retirees. Have something for everyone but make sure the majority of your items appeal to your core demographic.

Don’t: Forget the Details

In the name of fairness, you must make sure that everyone understands the rules under which the auction is held. Make all of your rules extremely clear. Everyone should understand that all sales are final and all items are sold “as-is.”

If you are auctioning off travel packages or gift cards with restrictions, be sure to list those details upfront.

Do: Put Energy into Aesthetics

High-quality photographs, beautifully decorated baskets, and thoughtfully crafted designs go a long way when it comes to charity auctions. Even the most sought-after items could get overlooked if not presented well.

Organize items by theme so that you don’t present items in a haphazard manner. Participating in your online auction should feel like shopping at their favorite store or on their favorite website.

Don’t: Auction All the Same Things

Be creative with your charity auction items!

Create experiences, such as a “girls’ weekend” or an “active couple’s getaway” by bunching items together. Search out donations for memorable activities, like skydiving or playing a round of golf at an exclusive club.

Do: Spread the Word

Most importantly, let people know about your charity auction!

Your auction will only be live for a set amount of time. Spread the word weeks in advance so your supporters don’t miss out on an opportunity to score an item while helping your cause. A solid marketing strategy can make or break your online charity auction.

Want to raise more from your auction? Try BetterWorld’s Auction Tool for FREE!

  • Seamless online and in-person actions that raise more

  • Incredibly easy to set up, backed by an amazing support team

  • Thoughtful automations that save you dozens of hours 

  • Thousands of dollars of “Instant Items” you can use in your auction at no cost

Start Your Auction Now!

Don’t: Make it Boring

Whether you hold your auction in-person or online, increase the excitement by offering real-time bidding.

The best online charity auction sites, such as BetterWorld, have the tools to make this happen for you. Be sure to choose a platform with all the tools you need to organize, host, and execute your auction while focusing on strengthening relationships and sharing your mission.

Steps to Create a Charity Auction

When you’re ready to create an auction for charity, start with these steps:

1. Pick a Date

Make sure your fundraising event doesn’t overlap with other outreach opportunities, like holiday parties or annual giving campaigns.

2. Gather Items

Work with local business owners throughout your community who are willing to donate charity auction items, events, and experiences for your event. Gather a wide range of gifts that can be organized into various categories.

3. Connect with an Online Platform

Once your organization partners with BetterWorld, your supporters will be able to register for the event online. You can build your auction with customized bid increments and starting values that reflect the worth of your donations. Upload photos of your items and design bid forms — all at no cost to your nonprofit.

4. Market Your Event

Let everyone know that they’ll be able to bid from any device without having to download anything. They won’t have to carve out time in their day since they can bid right from their mobile device.

5. Hold the Auction

When the auction begins, your supporters can begin placing their bids. Set up your auction to either take place over several days or weeks. This allows potential donors to repeatedly engage with your event. The more opportunities to bid, the more funds you’ll raise.

When the time’s up, announce the winner! Your team can utilize BetterWorld’s simple fulfillment center to distribute the items to each winner and send thanks to everyone who participated.

Online Auctions Provide High ROI for Charities

Virtual auctions are an excellent way to increase support and donations for your charity. If you’re ready to host a stress-free but highly profitable charity auction, schedule a free demo of BetterWorld’s free platform and tools today!

Join 100,000+ amazing nonprofits, organizations, and fundraisers on BetterWorld

Let our FREE fundraising tools help you raise more funds with less effort

Start a Fundraiser →

Get started on your next campaign

Join 100,000+ amazing nonprofits, organizations, and fundraisers on BetterWorld

Sign up now →
Whit Hunter
AUTHOR

About Whit Hunter

Whit Hunter is the co-founder of BetterWorld, the free, easy-to-use online fundraising platform. His passion for empowering nonprofits and tech expertise have shaped BetterWorld’s mission to make fundraising more accessible and efficient.

Whit's innovative vision has helped countless organizations raise more funds and reach their goals, driving BetterWorld’s ongoing success.

Related posts

Start a Fundraiser

Auctions

BetterWorld provides an intuitive and easy-to-use mobile bidding and online silent auction platform. By utilizing our free online tools, you will save both time and money so you can focus on doing good in the world. Create a beautiful and highly-effective fundraiser using our simple auction fundraising software.

Continue reading
Sign up for free Request a demo
© 2025 BetterWorld
Terms Privacy