What is a silent auction bid sheet?
A bid sheet is a printed form next to a silent auction item. Guests write a name or bidder number and a bid. The highest bid at close wins. Live lots do not use a bid sheet. See live auction items.
Bid sheet template
Silent Auction Bid Sheet Template. Free Printable for School and Small Nonprofit Nights
TL;DR
A silent auction bid sheet is a printed form you put next to an item. Guests write a bid. The highest bid wins. Copy this free sheet. Put one next to each item. For a donated item, set a starting bid people will write. For a risk-free package, set the starting bid at or above the nonprofit cost. Examples include a Wrigley Field rooftop night, a Las Vegas VIP weekend, a Broadway Night Out, and a New Orleans food day. You can also create a free account and take bids on a phone later. CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
Free account
Create a free account
When your donated items are too weak to print a sheet for, add 2-5 risk-free packages. Pay $0 unless they sell.
Create a free accountNo sales callNo sales call. You do not have to talk to anyone.
15Bid rows
$0Unless it sells
1Sheet per item
AnyTable you run
Overview
Copy this free sheet. Print one per item. You can run the night on paper. You can also create a free account and take bids on a phone later.
When your donated items are too weak to print a sheet for, add 2-5 risk-free packages. Pay $0 unless they sell. Create a free account
CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
For basket themes to put on the table, see silent auction basket ideas.
Why CharityAuctions
What Makes CharityAuctions.com Different
CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
You can print this sheet tonight. You can add the same packages from one account. No second vendor. No extra login.
The nonprofit cost on the package is what you pay if it sells. Software fees are separate. See pricing.
Create a free account. Or browse risk-free auction items first.
Ready to add a package to the table? Create a free account.
Free template
Free Silent Auction Bid Sheet Template
Use the Copy template button. Paste into Word or Google Docs. The bid rows use tabs. In Word, select those rows and use Table, Convert Text to Table with tabs as the separator.
Copy for Word or Google Docs. One click copies the full template below. Paste into a blank document, then print one sheet per item.
Preview
SECTION 1: ITEM INFORMATION
- Item Number: _______________
- Item Name: _______________
- Item Description:
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________ - Donated By: _______________
- Retail Value: $ _______________
- Starting Bid: $ _______________
- Minimum Bid Increment: $ _______________
- Bidding Opens: _______________ Bidding Closes: _______________
SECTION 2: BID TABLE
| Bid # | Bidder Number | Bidder Name | Bid Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ | ||
| 2 | $ | ||
| 3 | $ | ||
| 4 | $ | ||
| 5 | $ | ||
| 6 | $ | ||
| 7 | $ | ||
| 8 | $ | ||
| 9 | $ | ||
| 10 | $ | ||
| 11 | $ | ||
| 12 | $ | ||
| 13 | $ | ||
| 14 | $ | ||
| 15 | $ |
SECTION 3: WINNER INFORMATION
- Winning Bidder Number: _______________
- Winning Bidder Name: _______________
- Winning Bid Amount: $ _______________
- Staff Initials: _______________
- Item Collected: ☐ Yes ☐ No
- Payment Received: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending
Print one sheet per item. Put it next to the lot. Use a clipboard so the sheet stays put.
Printed the sheet? Create a free account.
Every field
What Every Field on a Bid Sheet Should Contain
Fill these fields the same way on every sheet.
Item number. Give each lot one number. Use that number on the sheet, the display, and your list.
Item name and description. One clear line. Then a short note of what the winner gets.
Retail value. Write the value so guests can see it.
Starting bid. For a donated item, set a bid people will write. Do not start at $0. For a risk-free package, set the starting bid at or above the nonprofit cost.
Bid jump. Pick a jump guests can do. Write it on the sheet. You can fill the amount column so people do not do math.
Close time. Print the close time on every sheet.
Winner box. Leave a box at the bottom for the winner and payment. That is your checkout note.
Avoid these
Common Silent Auction Bid Sheet Mistakes
- No starting bid. A blank start or $0 makes the lot look cheap.
- A jump that is too small. People can win with a tiny raise.
- Too few rows. This template has 15 rows so the sheet does not fill too soon.
- Names only. A bidder number is easier at checkout.
- A loose sheet. Tape it or clip it to the display.
- No close time. People need to know when to write a last bid.
- A new handwritten sheet for each lot. Use this printed sheet on every item.
Paper vs account
Paper Bid Sheets vs. a Free Account
Paper works. A free account can replace the tally later.
| Paper sheet | Free account | |
|---|---|---|
| Guests bid | Write on the sheet | Bid on a phone |
| You tally | By hand at close | The account names the winner |
| Best for | A simple room | A night you want less paper |
You can print this sheet now and switch later. See silent auction software.
Risk-free setup
How to Use This Bid Sheet Template With Risk-Free Consignment Items
- Use the package name from the catalog.
- Put the retail value on the sheet.
- Set the starting bid at or above the nonprofit cost.
- Print the Display Sheet next to this bid sheet.
A Wrigley Field rooftop night or a Broadway Night Out already has listing copy. Create a free account to add it to your package list. Browse risk-free auction items first if you want.
Free account
Create a free account
When your donated items are too weak to print a sheet for, add 2-5 risk-free packages. Pay $0 unless they sell.
Create a free accountNo sales call- No sales call. You do not have to talk to anyone
- Print this sheet tonight, or take bids on a phone
- $0 upfront. Pay only if a package sells
- Works with the silent table you already run
Silent auction bid sheet FAQ
What should be on a silent auction bid sheet?
Put the item name, a short description, retail value, starting bid, bid jump, close time, rows for bids, and a winner box for checkout. This template has those fields and 15 bid rows.
What is the correct starting bid for a silent auction item?
For a donated item, set a starting bid people will write. Do not start at $0. For a risk-free package, set the starting bid at or above the nonprofit cost so a sale cannot go below cost. Listing copy comes with the item.
What is the correct minimum bid increment?
Pick a jump guests can do. Write that jump on the sheet. You can also fill the bid amount column so people do not do math at the table.
How many bid rows should a silent auction bid sheet have?
This template has 15 rows. That is enough for most school and small nonprofit tables. If a sheet fills up, add a second sheet or move that lot to a phone later.
Should I use paper bid sheets or silent auction software?
Paper works when you want a simple night. A free account lets guests bid on a phone and skip the tally at the end. You can print this sheet now and switch later. CharityAuctions.com is the only platform where nonprofits can browse risk-free consignment items and run their entire auction in one place — no separate vendor, no extra logins.
How do I set up a bid sheet for a risk-free consignment package?
Use the package name from the catalog. Put the retail value on the sheet. Set the starting bid at or above the nonprofit cost. Print the Display Sheet next to the bid sheet. Create a free account to add the package.
Can I use the same bid sheet template for live auction items?
No. Live lots do not use bid sheets. An auctioneer calls those bids. See live auction items.
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