Top 2 Sources for Auction Items

Our eBay Giving Works program provides a great opportunity for you to auction great items at great prices and support a noble cause along the way. That being said, it can be a bit tricky to choose items that are guaranteed to get good bids. If you have no idea where to get your auction items, we recommend that you start with these places:

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Finding a Charity to Work With

We have been taught as children to give and share whenever we can. If you have things that are of little value to you but can be cherished by someone else, you can do much good by donating or selling them to benefit a charity of your choice. However, if you don’t have a charitable org in mind just yet, choosing one from a huge heap of nonprofits can be very challenging. To make sure you donate to a group that fits you perfectly, here are some useful tips:

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Tips for a Successful Auction

The success of any charity auction, whether online or at a live venue, depends on the number of items sold and the amount of money raised at its conclusion. Closing multiple sales at large bids is easier said than done, though, as it requires ample preparation and planning. We at eBay Giving Works are happy to shoulder most of the work, but you must also do your part to make your auction a success.

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Irresistible Auction Items

With online charity auctions, you can put virtually anything up for sale and use the proceeds to support your chosen charity. However, some things do tend to sell better than others.

Without a definite sell, you won't be able to help the charity of your choice as much as you thought you could. If you're dead set on helping charities via this route, it's best to know about the items that tend to sell really well. The item doesn't necessarily have to be in high demand, although that does increase the item's chances of being bought. Joanne Davidson of the Denver Post lists two of the biggest charity auction hits:

Electronics

Believe us when we tell you to sell your old smartphone or laptop for charity. As each generation grows more tech-savvy, so will demand for years-old gadgets. In fact, we've been mentioned in several lists of the best places to sell electronics in support of a good cause. On top of that, you can prevent landfills from swelling in size due to discarded electronics.

Travel Packages

Won a trip to Europe but don't have the time to enjoy it? Why not auction that travel package before the deal expires? If you can't enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to a fabulous destination in the near future, then find someone else who can and make a difference for a charity at the same time.

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Some Ideas for Your Auction

Do you want your charity auction to be successful? Then keep these tips in mind.

First, you might want to offer in-season items that people are likely to buy at specific times of the year. For example, heaters tend to sell quite well in the months leading up to winter. Meanwhile, Super Bowl tickets are typically in high demand by January or February.

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Top Reasons Online Auctions Rock

Whenever you hear the word ‘auction’, you’ll probably picture a scene from a typical auction house. Items are presented in person, bidders raise their hands, and an auctioneer bangs the gavel every now and then. While auctions of this sort are still very much around, some now take place on the Internet.

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Need Some Charity Auction Ideas? Read On

The success of a charity auction rests on effective planning and execution, which are far from simple tasks. For one thing, an auction needs to have a theme to help it stand out from other events and to attract a greater number of participants. Such a feat requires organizers to do their homework. However, they need not look further than their own locale, as current vibes and popular interests can be good sources of charity auction ideas.

For example, if a sizeable number of local residents are baking enthusiasts, then the auction should include baking equipment, baked goods, and the like. If possible, the organizers could also tap a reputable baking company or cake brand to sponsor the auction and help the event garner more attention.

Local holidays can also be sources of inspiration. If the auction coincides with Veterans’ Day, organizers can encourage the families of servicemen and women to participate. This is especially effective if your charity is military-related.

Even the marketing aspect of any charity auction can offer a wellspring of ideas. Organizers can make their event stand out by hosting a live performance or giving participants an opportunity to meet a famous celebrity in person. Online auctions also present a good opportunity to disseminate information about the charity’s advocacy through videos, blogs, and social media.

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Need a Good Fundraiser? Host a Charity Auction

Whenever funds need to be raised, charities, churches, schools, and other institutions often employ traditional fundraising events like contests, lotteries, and marathons. However, these events can be costly and time-consuming to organize, especially for smaller organizations and nonprofits. As such, charity auctions may be the better option for these organizations.

Deciding to go with the auction approach definitely has its merit, because charity auctions are simple yet very effective. At the start of the auction, a list of items is distributed to give the participants an idea of what they’re bidding for. Upon being assigned their identifying numbers, the participants can bid on whatever is on the list at any time. Online auctions are essentially the same, except they are conducted through the Internet and attract bidders from all over the world without having everyone together in the same physical place.

This process means that charity auctions usually don’t take up as much time and resources as other fundraising events. What’s more, auctions can maximize the sale price of any item, especially if it is truly valuable, as participants compete with each other via ever-increasing bids. Finally, items sold in a charity auction are usually tax deductible if the purchaser is able to prove that the item’s real value is much less than the purchase price.

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Forbes’ top ranking charitable institutions

"Exotic vacations, expensive clothes, the latest gadgets—there's nothing wrong with spending money on yourself. With all the hard work you put in, you've definitely earned it. But have you ever thought about how would you feel if you rewarded someone else at the same time? Philanthropic actions, such as giving to charity or participating in an online charity auction, can be personally rewarding. For some people, such actions are an important part of everyday life, but for others, giving may be new."

http://ebaygivingwork.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/forbes-top-ranking-charitable-institutions/

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