The Auction Readiness Checklist

Much of what makes an auction memorable happens before the first bid and after the last one. This checklist walks you through all of it, from deciding what to ask for to thanking the people who made the night possible, with a timeline and worksheets to plan your own.

Download the Checklist

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Ask for Items Donors Will Chase

Start with last year’s results and a quick survey of your supporters, then ask for what they’d bid on. The checklist covers when to start procurement, who should own the ask, and how to build item pages that sell the experience.

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Match Every Item to the Right Format

Live, silent, and raffle each suit different kinds of items. A format table, revenue-goal guidance, and ranges for opening bids and increments help you set each item up to draw bids.

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Keep the Energy Up in the Room

Pace your program so the energy builds, put bids and totals on screen, and use outbid alerts to bring donors back. Pledge It platform data shows 50% of outbid alerts generate a new bid.

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Turn Winners Into Next Year’s Donors

Thank winners within 48 hours, show them what their bid funded, and invite them back first next year. A post-auction review then helps you decide what to repeat, fix, and add.

GUIDES

The Auction Readiness Checklist

Ask for Items Donors Will Chase

Start with last year’s results and a quick survey of your supporters, then ask for what they’d bid on. The checklist covers when to start procurement, who should own the ask, and how to build item pages that sell the experience.

Match Every Item to the Right Format

Live, silent, and raffle each suit different kinds of items. A format table, revenue-goal guidance, and ranges for opening bids and increments help you set each item up to draw bids.

Keep the Energy Up in the Room

Pace your program so the energy builds, put bids and totals on screen, and use outbid alerts to bring donors back. Pledge It platform data shows 50% of outbid alerts generate a new bid.

Turn Winners Into Next Year’s Donors

Thank winners within 48 hours, show them what their bid funded, and invite them back first next year. A post-auction review then helps you decide what to repeat, fix, and add.

Join the thousands of nonprofits raising money with Pledge It.

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