44+ silent auction ideas to boost your fundraising and engagement efforts

Silent auctions are a popular way for nonprofits, schools, and other community-based groups to raise funds and grow their supporter base, but coming up with great silent auction ideas isn’t always easy. You want to offer items that draw interest and entice bids without spending a fortune. But how do you know what to include? 

Whether you’re just learning how to host an auction or looking for options to try something new, we have ideas that will inspire you and set you on the way to auction success. 

Live events ideas for a silent auction

Experiences are popular silent auction items, often becoming some of the top items. Plenty of people enjoy memorable or exotic experiences, but it’s not always part of their budget, making the idea of winning a deal at an auction quite compelling.

To make event items enticing, consider those that offer a little something special. Instead of just tickets to an event, offer front row seats or box seating. Or, auction off tickets to an exclusive event or one that’s sold out.

No matter what you’re auctioning, the right fundraising software can help you organize, promote, and host your event to streamline the experience for bidders and your organization.

1. Concert tickets

Concert tickets are often a great seller, especially for highly popular artists. For even more bids, consider offering tickets that include VIP seating or meet and greets, or even tickets to a festival that showcases several artists.

Estimated price range: $100-$500+

Effort: Medium

2. Major sporting events

Tickets to a sporting event, whether major or minor league, can fly off the auction table. Major league tickets will likely be a higher seller — think NFL or NBA — and both minor and major league tickets are more enticing with box seats, pre-game passes, or team merchandise. 

Estimated price range: $100-$800+

Effort: Medium

3. Theater shows

Auction off fun arts experiences like theater or ballet performances. These could be for major productions or smaller, local ones. Turn it into a full date-night event with a dinner package to boost the overall value. 

Estimated price range: $50-$300

Effort: Low to medium 

4. Comedy shows

Everyone loves to laugh, so a comedy show is a great live event item to auction off. The highest sellers will likely be tickets to see a well-known comic, but even a local showcase can be fun. Make it extra special by including dinner or drink vouchers or a meet and greet.

Estimated price range: $50-$250

Effort: Low

Unique experiences to auction

Other silent auction items that sell well are especially unique. Similar to other types of events, patrons don’t always have room in the budget for expensive experiences, but they almost always have interest! 

5. City tours

Let people become a tourist in their own town with a city tour that shows off local landmarks, hidden gems, or a specific set of items. For instance, you could offer a local food tour or a tour focused on local history. 

Estimated price range: $30-$200

Effort: Low to medium

6. Limo ride around the city

Another way for folks to see their city from a new perspective is a limo ride. Auction off a limousine ride to add some luxury as they go from place to place. You can even package it with other events to really take things up a notch.

Estimated price range: $100-$400

Effort: Medium

7. Meet and greet tickets

Offer bidders the chance to meet and chat with local celebrities or public figures. This offering can be packaged with concerts or sporting events or offered as a standalone meet and greet. 

Estimated price range: $150-$1,000+

Effort: High

8. Outdoor adventures

Those who like to get their adrenaline pumping are sure to bid on outdoor adventures. Thrill-seekers will love ziplining, rock climbing, or kayaking. You could even pair this event with a gift certificate to an outdoor outfitter so they can stock up on gear.

Estimated price range: $100-$400

Effort: Medium

9. Catered meals

Entice bidders with delicious food that will let them take a night off cooking. There are several ways to do this, whether you’d like to offer a chef-prepared meal, a group outing, or a set number of catered meals to be delivered.

Estimated price range: $200-$600

Effort: Medium to high

10. Beer or wine tastings

Connect with local wineries, breweries, or distilleries to offer tastings and tours. Some may even offer an in-home tasting where they bring the drinks directly to the winner’s home. 

Estimated price range: $50-$250

Effort: Medium

11. Photo shoots

Provide a chance to win professional photography, like family portraits, engagement photos, newborn photos, or professional headshots. Local photographers will appreciate gaining new clientele and the winner gets to capture precious memories.

Estimated price range: $150-$700+

Effort: Medium

Memberships and passes to auction

Passes or memberships give ongoing value to bidders. Plus, they can serve as an introduction to a new product, service, or organization, which can foster community engagement. As an added bonus, every time the winners use their passes, they’ll think of your auction and organization.

12. Theme park passes

Annual passes to a local theme park — or even a handful of day passes — are especially appealing to families or thrill-seekers. Consider bundling with swag related to the theme. 

Estimated price range: $200-$800

Effort: Low

13. Museum memberships

Offer museum memberships to local art or history museums, science centers, children’s museums, or similar cultural spaces. Oftentimes, these memberships don’t just include admission but also offer special access to events or other member-only benefits. 

Estimated price range: $50-$250

Effort: Low

14. Golf lessons

Golf lessons or passes appeal to new and experienced golfers alike. Offering access to a selective or expensive course can make it even more compelling. You might even add some golf balls or other gear to seal the deal.

Estimated price range: $100-$400

Effort: Medium

15. Ski or snowboarding passes

Lift tickets or season passes to local ski resorts are perfect for adrenaline fiends, sports enthusiasts, or those hoping to start skiing. You can also consider offering access to lessons, especially for children — the adults can ski or board while the kids learn. 

Estimated price range: $150-$800

Effort: Medium

16. Fitness classes

Partner with local gyms or fitness studios to offer memberships or class packages for fitness classes. Bidders will feel good about doing something for their health, and local studios will appreciate the promotional opportunity. 

Estimated price range: $50-$300

Effort: Low

17. Cooking lessons 

For those who would rather learn to cook than rely on a private chef, offer cooking lessons. These can be done in someone’s home or at a separate location and can range from basic cooking skills to advanced techniques. For added fun, include on-theme food, like a basket of Italian delicacies along with Italian cooking lessons. 

Estimated price range: $100-$500

Effort: Medium

18. Dance lessons 

Offer dance classes like salsa, ballroom, swing, hip-hop, or ballet. Social dancing (like swing) can be a great event for couples, while hip-hop or ballet can be fun for a dance enthusiast. Dance lessons can be a great option for both kids and adults.

Estimated price range: $50-$300

Effort: Medium

Silent auction basket ideas

Gift baskets can be a fun addition to an auction, catering to a variety of individuals and interests. Because the baskets include multiple items and fun themes, they’ve got wide appeal — but they aren’t likely to fetch bids as high as items like events or experiences. 

19. Local goods 

Pull together a package of local or regional products to show off your community. Consider a general “local” theme (such as “Made in Seattle”) or a more specific theme like “local foods.” Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Locally roasted coffee
• Crafts from a local artisan
• Jams or honey from local makers
• Soaps or lotions from local creators 
• Gift cards to local establishments 

Estimated price range: $50-$200

Effort: Medium

20. Luxury goods

A basket of luxury goods will appeal to high-end bidders and those who appreciate the finer things in life. They’ll be excited to win a set of items they know will be high quality, like:

• Designer handbags
• Fine jewelry
• High-end makeup or skincare
• Gourmet foods

Estimated price range: $300-$1,500+

Effort: High

21. Pet lovers’ basket 

Help pet parents pamper their pet in style with a fun pet lovers’ gift basket. Offer one for dogs and one for cats, with species-appropriate toys and treats. You might even offer a special touch with access to personalized accessories or portraits. 

• Gift certificate to dog daycare or grooming
• Pet treats
• Toys for dogs or cats
• Customized pet accessories
• Gift certificate for a personalized pet painting

Estimated price range: $50-$200

Effort: Medium

22. Gardener’s basket

Green thumbs — or those hoping to become one — will love growing their garden with a gardener’s basket. Include everything they need to get started, such as:

• Seeds or starts
• Planters or pots
• Gardening tools like shovels or watering cans
• Gardening gloves
• A book about gardening

Estimated price range: $40-$150

Effort: Medium

23. DIY spa day 

Help bidders relax with a spa basket that lets them turn their home into a peaceful oasis. They’ll love pampering themselves without having to leave the house. Include things like:

• Scented candles
• Bath salts, oils, or bubble bath
• Face or foot masks
• Comfy robes, slippers, or eye masks
• Indulgent chocolates or teas

Estimated price range: $50-$200

Effort: Medium

24. Date night bundle 

Bidders can turn any day into a special evening with a date night basket. This may include tickets or gift certificates for an event, ways to connect at home, or a combination. Consider:

• Movie gift cards or tickets
• Restaurant gift cards
• Board games for two
• Wine and cheese sets
• Gift certificate for a couple’s massage

Estimated price range: $75-$300

Effort: Medium

25. Snacks, sweets, and more

Snacks are a great gift basket go-to, and as a bonus, a snack basket is super customizable to nearly any palate. You can create baskets based on unique tastes or more mainstream ones, providing something for everyone. 

• Sweet tooth: Include candies like gummies or sour snacks, chocolates, and baked goods.
• Coffee lover: Collect specialty coffee beans, fun mugs, and home brewing accessories. 
• Tea aficionado: Add teas (loose leaf or bagged), infusers, special teapots, or fancy mugs. 
• Everything chocolate: Fill the basket with a variety of chocolate bars, spreads, truffles, or baked goods. 
• Salty snacks: Pack a basket with nuts, popcorn, chips, or pretzels. 
• Stock the bar: Offer a selection of wines, spirits, mixers, or bar accessories like glassware. 

Estimated price range: $40-$200

Effort: Medium

Services to auction

Services can be a great auction item that lets you leverage local businesses or the skills of those within your organization to provide unique silent auction ideas and offerings to the community. 

Requesting a donation of services can be an alternative to traditional sponsorship letters, enabling people in the community to help even if they’re not able to donate large amounts of money. 

26. Pet care 

Give pet parents access to trustworthy care for their pets. They won’t have to scramble to find care, and they’ll know their fur baby is in good hands.

• Grooming: Partner with local pet groomers to offer a gift certificate or a set number of grooming sessions. 
• Dog walking: Offer packages for walks with a local walker. 
• Boarding: Create a voucher that can be exchanged for a specific amount of dog boarding or daycare.

Estimated price range: $75-$300

Effort: Low to medium

27. Childcare 

Childcare is a hot commodity, so consider auctioning babysitting services. Service can be offered for a set number of hours or sessions, making it ideal for parents who need a night out or just a little extra help.

Estimated price range: $100-$300

Effort: Medium 

28. At-home chef

Let bidders bring a professional chef to their home to prepare a meal (or a set of freezer meals). This could even be combined with cooking lessons or a food-themed gift basket.

Estimated price range: $300-$1,000+

Effort: High

29. Landscaping 

Partner with local landscapers, lawn care, or gardening services. Homeowners will appreciate the opportunity to spruce up their yard or garden. 

Estimated price range: $150-$500

Effort: Medium

30. Marketing services 

Local marketing professionals — or even your own marketing team — can offer their services to help small businesses promote their work. This could include the following: 

• Social media services: A marketing pro can evaluate and update social media or even build out a strategy. 
• Logo design: A graphic designer can develop and design a logo for a client’s brand.
• Web development: A tech-savvy marketer or web developer can offer a website audit, suggest improvements, or create a new site altogether. 

Estimated price range: $250-$1,000+

Effort: Medium to high

31. Spa gift card

Find local spas that will provide a gift card for their services, like massages, facials, or mani/pedis. Anything that promotes relaxation and self-care is a win! 

Estimated price range: $50-$400

Effort: Low

32. Salon gift card 

Gift cards to a local hair salon will give bidders the chance to try a new look or some self-care, whether they want a cut, color, shave, or style. By partnering with a local business, you can also demonstrate your commitment to your community.

Estimated price range: $50-$400

Effort: Low

33. Tutoring

Help students improve by offering tutoring services with local tutors or teachers. You might offer services specific to classroom studies or extracurriculars like music or drama. 

• School subjects: Offer tutoring in subjects like math, science, or language arts. 
• Language learning: Consider offering help with language learning for those learning a new language.
• Music lessons: Provide instrumental or vocal lessons. 
• Drama or art lessons: Include focused training on drama, art, or similar extracurriculars.

Estimated price range: $100-$400

Effort: Medium

Themed silent auction gifts

Themed silent auction gifts let you bundle related items in a fun, creative way. While gift baskets may also be themed, these gifts take it a step further to offer more than just a basket — often including big-ticket items. 

Any theme goes, but for added impact, you can tie these gifts into your organization’s mission or vision or supporters’ interests.

34. For the frequent traveler 

Travelers will love a package geared toward adventure and experiences. Include a fun destination, activities to do while there, and equipment they’ll need. For instance:

• Weekend getaway: Offer a weekend trip to a fun destination, including lodging, meals, and passes for a local activity like skiing.
• Luggage set: Provide a set of high-end luggage along with fun items like luggage tags or travel journals. 
• Hotel stay: Give bidders a chance to win time at a nice hotel, along with vouchers or gift cards for food and drinks. 

Estimated price range: $400-$1,500+

Effort: High

35. For foodies and gourmands 

Entice foodies with a fancy food package that goes beyond the basics. 

• Fine dining gift card: Offer a gift card to a fine dining restaurant with an accompanying bottle of wine.
• Grilling supplies: Give grillmasters a full set of tools — even including a grill, if you’d like. 
• Camping cooking supplies: Foodies who camp will love having access to a nice camping stove and other tools to create delicious food even when outdoors. 
• Picnic set: Pull together a picnic basket, tablecloth, silverware and dishes, and some fun drinks or snacks for a fancy picnic.

Estimated price range: $150-$600

Effort: Medium

36. For sports fans 

Sports fans will love a package that includes all things athletic. Of course, this package can include game tickets, but here are a few other pieces to include:

• Team merchandise: Bidders can rep their local team with shirts, hats, or other merchandise. 
• Memorabilia: Offer unique memorabilia, like a stadium map or team history book.
• Autographs: Auction off an autographed photo of a star player.
• Sporting goods: For those who love playing sports as much as watching, offer gift cards to a sporting goods store. Or, be more specific and offer tools for a certain sport, like a golf bag.
• Tailgating supplies: Make tailgating even more fun with a package including beer, snacks, chairs, and team merchandise. 

Estimated price range: $100-$800

Effort: Medium

37. For artists and art aficionados

Foster creativity with gifts geared toward the arts. This might include:

• Painting class: Gift certificates to lessons at a local studio or in-home lessons will appeal to artists of all types.
• Artwork: Art lovers will appreciate displayable art by local artists.
• Art supplies: Provide a set of high-end art supplies like paints, brushes, and a canvas.

Estimated price range: $75-$400

Effort: Medium

38. For the adventurous ones

Bidders looking for adventure will love packages geared toward exciting activities like helicopter rides, hot air balloons, or kayaking. For a full package, provide access to the activity along with everything they’ll need. 

• Hot air balloon ride: Send them up in the air with a hot air balloon ride. A bottle of bubbly or a small picnic basket ups the romance.
• Helicopter ride: Offer the chance to ride in — or even learn to fly — a helicopter. 
• Kayaks: Auction off kayaks and lessons, or simply offer the chance to rent kayaks at a local lake. 
• ATVs: Get their wheels turning with an ATV they can win, or simply access to one for a day.
• Skydiving: Adrenaline junkies will jump at the chance to win a skydiving session. 

Estimated price range: $150-$1,000+

Effort: High

39. For music lovers

Let music lovers fill their homes with the sound of music when they win one of these packages.  

• Record player: Auction off a record player so music lovers can take their enjoyment old-school. 
• Records or record store gift certificate: Help them expand their music library with new records or a gift card to select their own.
• Music lessons: Music lovers can learn to make their own music when they bid on music lessons. 

Estimated price range: $75-$400

Effort: Medium

40. For families

Provide a family package so the whole crew can have fun together, no matter their ages. 

• Outdoor toys: Auction off an outdoor play structure, swing set, or water table. 
• Swimming pool membership: Let the whole family have fun in the sun with a membership to a local pool. 
• Zoo day: Offer a trip to the zoo, complete with passes, snacks, and even a meet and greet with some zookeepers and animals. 

Estimated price range: $100-$600

Effort: Medium

Inexpensive silent auction ideas

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get creative silent auction items or experiences. In fact, there are plenty of free silent auction ideas, which is what makes an auction such a great type of fundraising event.

41. Donor dedication

Want something free that will make a big impact? Consider offering a donor dedication. You can auction off the chance to dedicate a particular project or structure to the winner. For example, you might dedicate a new park bench to the winner, or name a particular program after them. 

Estimated price range: Free

Effort: Low

42. Shadowing opportunities

Offer a chance to look behind the scenes of your organization or another local org. For example, an animal rescue organization might offer a chance to come and play with dogs for the day, or a zoo could offer a behind-the-scenes tour. 

Estimated price range: Free-$150

Effort: Medium

43. Gift cards 

Gift cards can be a great way to drum up bids, and you can often get them donated from businesses for free. Business owners appreciate the chance to get their name out there, especially for charitable giving, so don’t hesitate to ask for a gift card donation. While gift cards may not go wildly over the dedicated price, if you’ve procured them for free, you’ve raised funds already.

Estimated price range: $25-200+

Effort: Low

44. Handmade items

Handmade items are unique and can appeal to various audiences, including those who value sustainability, artistry, and community. Plus, many supporters would be happy to donate something handmade, which gives them a chance to directly benefit the organization. Handmade items could include crafts (knitted blankets or scarves, painted mugs, soaps or lotions, artwork) or food items like baked goods or decorated cakes. 

Estimated price range: $25-$150+

Effort: Medium

How to procure silent auction items

If you’re wondering how to get donations for a silent auction, there are plenty of options to make it easy. Most of the time, event planners source auction items for nonprofits through a combination of direct procurement, sponsors or partners, and contributions from the team. 

Here are some steps to help you get started: 

• Brainstorm what you need: Think about items that have sold well in the past or that you think will drum up interest. Consider what you know about your supporters — what would they likely bid on? 
• Ask local businesses: Reach out to local companies to ask if they’d like to donate an item, service, or gift certificate. Use a donation request letter that states your organization’s purpose, what the event supports, and how the item or service will be used. 
• Leverage your network: Tap into your board, volunteers, and staff to see if anyone has connections or skills to contribute. You may find a professional graphic designer or chef willing to offer services, or you might discover someone has an in with a local sports team.
• Contact supporters: Contact your email list and social media followers to request donations of unused gift cards, tickets, or items. Supporters will feel involved and invested in the cause, and it helps them declutter.  
• Partner with sponsors: If you’ve got sponsorship for the event already, ask the sponsors if they would also like to contribute anything to the auction. 
• Set up wishlists: Consider creating an online wishlist with needed items, letting donors and supporters purchase them and contribute directly. 

Plan a successful silent auction with Bonterra

Silent auctions are most successful when they’re well-planned and engaging for the attendees. Using an online fundraising platform can make a major difference, as you can manage online bids, send updates, and encourage competition all in one place.

No matter what silent auction ideas you come up with, Bonterra Network for Good empowers nonprofits to run silent auctions from start to finish with event ticketing, donation tracking, personalized outreach, and real-time reporting in one place

You can offer customized and seamless experiences for your event, maximize your reach with personalized outreach and promotion, and gain real-time insights to track donor behavior and refine your strategy.

Ready to get started? Get in touch today.

FAQ

What is a silent auction? 

A silent auction is a fundraising event where participants bid on items or experiences without a live auctioneer or calling out their bids. Instead, they place bids privately and discreetly on a sheet or form, and the highest bidder wins. 

What sells well at silent auctions?

The best silent auction items — and those that tend to sell especially well — are experiences. These include travel packages, tickets to concerts or sporting events, or exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities. Lower-priced items like gift baskets and locally donated services also sell well. 

What is a good idea for a silent auction basket?

A good silent auction basket focuses on a theme, like local goods, a spa day, or a particular food or drink item. These tend to be popular silent auction items because they’re fun, appeal to a particular interest, and make great gifts.

How do you make a silent auction fun? 

Create an exciting atmosphere with a fun theme, live updates on bids, and a sense of urgency. You can also add elements like a raffle to keep energy high and encourage engagement and competition. 

What are some virtual silent auction ideas? 

There are countless ideas for virtual fundraising and silent auctions, including travel packages, virtual classes or lessons, and exclusive experiences.