The $0 to $50K
Auction Item Guide
100 proven items, done-for-you scripts, and the secret inventory that fills your auction for free. Stop staring at an empty spreadsheet.
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100% FreeEmpty catalogs raise 40% less. This guide fixes that.
Free PDF · 100 proven items · done-for-you scriptsStop Staring at an Empty Spreadsheet.Get 100 Items Ready to List.
We packed the best charity auction items into one free guide. Baskets, raffles, silent lots, and risk-free travel. Plus letters, emails, and phone scripts you can copy today.
- 100 item ideas across 4 proven categories
- Donation letters, emails, and call scripts included
- Risk-free travel inventory with zero upfront cost
- PDF in your inbox in 60 seconds
Built on data from the fundraising community. This guide is what we tell every new auction chair.
You just got the auction.
Here is everything you need.
Maybe you made eye contact at the wrong committee meeting and suddenly you are the Auction Chair. Or you volunteered because you care about the cause, but now you are staring at an empty spreadsheet.
You need items. A lot of them. And they need to be things people actually want to buy. Empty catalogs raise 40% less. This guide fixes that.
Take a breath. You do not need to reinvent the wheel. This guide gives you 100 proven ideas, the exact scripts to get them donated, and a 30-day plan to fill your catalog.
$49,000+
Combined revenue potential across all four item categories when you build a balanced auction catalog using this guide.
Your shortcut from empty spreadsheet to full catalog
Everything you need to source, price, and publish your auction catalog in 30 days.
100 Proven Ideas
Curated ideas across gift baskets, raffles, silent auction lots, and risk-free items that actually sell.
3-Step Sourcing System
A structured approach that takes the fear out of asking local businesses for donations.
Done-For-You Scripts
Copy-paste templates for donation request letters, follow-up emails, and phone scripts.
The Secret Inventory
How to add premium travel and experiences to your auction with zero upfront cost or risk.
Pricing Cheat Sheet
Starting bid and bid increment formulas so every item earns exactly what it should.
30-Day Checklist
A week-by-week action plan to take your catalog from empty spreadsheet to published auction.
100 ideas across every item type
A successful auction uses all four categories to maximize revenue from every type of guest in the room.
Gift Baskets
The foundation. Bundle smaller donations into highly desirable packages. Easy for committees to build together and great table presence.
Raffle Prizes
The volume play. Capture money from guests who cannot afford a silent auction item but still want to support the cause.
Silent Auction Lots
The core revenue. Mid-to-high value items from $200 to $2,000+ that drive competitive bidding. Experiences and local getaways perform best.
Risk-Free Items
The secret weapon. Premium travel and experiences you add with zero upfront cost. You only pay if they sell. Fill your catalog overnight.
How to get items donated without the fear
Businesses want to donate to local causes. The guide shows you how to ask in a way that gets a yes.
Build your ask list
Start with your warm circle: board members, vendors, and the 10 most popular local businesses within 5 miles.
Send the ask
Never ask for "anything you can give." Be specific. Use the done-for-you letter, email, and phone scripts in the guide.
Follow up
Send your letter. Wait 7 days. Send a short follow-up email. Wait 3 days. Call. The fortune is in the follow-up.
Plus done-for-you templates inside: A donation request letter, a follow-up email, and a 90-second phone script you can copy and paste today.
Built for volunteer chairs like you
Whether this is your first auction or your fifteenth, this guide provides a structured plan.
Volunteer Chairs
You just got the job and need a clear plan. This guide is your shortcut from panic to a full item catalog.
Schools & PTAs
Family-friendly baskets, school raffles, and local experiences that parents actually want to bid on.
Nonprofits
Fill your silent auction with donated items and risk-free travel packages that raise serious revenue.
Churches
Community-building baskets, raffles, and local gift cards that fit your crowd and your budget.
Fill your auction catalog starting today
Enter your details to get instant access to the PDF with all 100 item ideas, scripts, and your 30-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
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