1 August 2026 · After the auction
Thanking donors and artists after the auction: the Monday email that doubles next year's donations
How to thank auction donors, artists and winners in the week after the event, with a Monday email template …
News
Know-how for anyone organising an auction night, from planning to settling up.
Planning · latest
Common charity auction mistakes and how to avoid them
The ten mistakes that cost volunteer-run charity auctions the most money, from too many lots to slow payment collection, and the simple fix for each.
6 August 2026
29 July 2026 · Planning
School auction fundraiser guide: how a parents' association runs a great evening
A school auction guide for parents' associations: the lots that work, class art projects, teacher experienc…
26 July 2026 · On the night
What to do when nobody bids on a lot: reserves, re-opening and bundling
Practical rescues for auction lots with no bids: fixing the price on the spot, bundling, second-chance roun…
23 July 2026 · On the night
Proxy bidding explained: let guests set a maximum and enjoy the evening
What proxy bidding is, how automatic maximum bids work at charity auctions, and why they raise totals while…
20 July 2026 · Money
How to handle payment at a charity auction: same-night settlement without the chase
How to collect auction payments on the night itself, why invoicing later loses money, and a simple settleme…
17 July 2026 · Planning
Charity auction checklist: the week before, the day, and the hour before doors
A printable-style charity auction checklist for volunteers covering the final week, the day itself and the …
14 July 2026 · On the night
The big screen: why showing a live total makes rooms bid more
Why displaying a live fundraising total and bid activity on a big screen changes how a room bids, and how t…
11 July 2026 · On the night
How to be a good volunteer auctioneer: script, pacing and the hammer
A practical guide for first-time volunteer auctioneers: a simple script per lot, how to pace the room, hand…
8 July 2026 · Money
What does charity auction software cost? An honest market overview
Charity auction software pricing explained: percentage-of-proceeds models, donor tips and flat fees, and ho…
5 July 2026 · Online & hybrid
Running a hybrid auction: how to let people bid from home with a live stream
How to run a hybrid charity auction where remote supporters watch a live stream and bid alongside the room,…
2 July 2026 · On the night
How does mobile bidding work at a charity auction? QR codes, no app needed
How phone bidding works at modern charity auctions: scan a QR code, bid in the browser, get outbid alerts. …
29 June 2026 · On the night
Charity auction rules and etiquette: a guide for guests
Everything a first-time charity auction guest should know: how bidding works, what a bid commits you to, an…
26 June 2026 · Lots & donations
How to get local businesses to donate auction items: the ask, the letter, the follow-up
A practical system for collecting auction donations from local businesses: who to ask, a letter template th…
23 June 2026 · Planning
How many lots should a charity auction have? The 12 to 20 rule
Why 12 to 20 lots is the sweet spot for a charity auction, what happens when you run more, and how to cut a…
20 June 2026 · Lots & donations
What to auction when nobody donates art: promises, experiences and services
No paintings, no problem: how promise lots, experiences and donated services can fill a charity auction, of…
17 June 2026 · Lots & donations
40 silent auction basket and lot ideas that actually get bids
Forty proven silent auction lot and basket ideas grouped by budget, from local experiences to headline lots…
14 June 2026 · Lots & donations
How to set starting bids at a charity auction: the one-third rule
Why starting bids at about a third of an item's value raises more money, plus how to set bid increments and…
11 June 2026 · Planning
Silent auction vs live auction: which fits your evening
The real differences between silent and live auctions, when each format works, and why most fundraising eve…
8 June 2026 · Planning
How to run a charity auction: a complete guide for first-time organisers
The full arc of a charity auction for volunteers: timeline, lots, format, starting bids, the night itself a…
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