Blind Auction Fundraiser

A blind auction is mostly about fun but can also raise funds for your group. It works best as part of an ongoing event such as a luncheon or dinner meeting. Here’s how it works. Get as many people as you can that will be attending the event to bring a wrapped package. The contents could be humorous or something of actual value. Think of the possibilities! You can get rid of that ugly “xxx” in the back of your closet for a worthy cause.

Donors can weight the boxes with a brick to disguise the contents, have an oversize box for a very small present, or wrap boxes within boxes to increase anticipation. You get the idea! Announce that at least one of the boxes contains a ‘$x” bill or something of value that is small enough to fit in all the boxes. The dollar value will depend on your group and anticipated bidding amounts.

As guests arrive they place their boxes on a display table so potential bidders can examine them and speculate on what they contain. Whether you use a live or silent auction fundraising, make sure everyone has time to pick them up and shake them before the bidding. Guessing the contents is much of the fun. At the specified time, the boxes will either be auctioned individually or the results of the silent auction announced. If you have a live auction, make sure you have a couple of “valuable” prizes auctioned first to stimulate the bidding. Above all, make sure you allow time to let everyone to open their box in front of the group. That’s where the fun is. Submitted by Shanta P, Dallas, TX

Alternative: Pound Auction. Have everyone donate an item. Each item must weigh in at one pound. Have each person donating wrap their items so that you are unable to tell what the item is. Then auction the fundraising items off. Source: The Ornament Connection

We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section that offer a break from traditional product sales. They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true while others show a lot of creativity … and even wackiness in some cases. All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group, but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others, please send it to us via email. Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.