Category: News

Fundraising Auction

Posted on by AFGI

How to Run a Successful Fundraising Auction in the Toronto and York Region

Many Toronto non-profits have turned to auctions as a way to fundraise for their respective cause. At the Auctioneers Fundraising Group International (AFGI), we have earned a reputation for being Canada’s top live and silent auction fundraising experts. We understand what it takes to raise much-needed funds during your Toronto fundraising auction.

Should Your Group Have a Silent Auction?

Every fundraising auction is unique; each presents its own set of goals and challenges. A silent auction can be a great way to generate funds, but is it right for your group? Silent auction fundraisers work best when you have a large number of items to auction off, or if you have a lot of people attending the auction bidding on a few higher-end items.

There’s no other way to say it. Hosting a silent fundraising auction is a lot of work. You’ll need to spend time contacting local businesses and supporters to get a diverse selection of items to auction off. You will also need volunteers to help you run the actual auction and keep track of items, bids and payment. Overall, a silent auction is a great way to generate funds, but it takes people and is oftentimes very labour-intensive.

Setting Up Your Silent Fundraising Auction

Again, make sure you have enough people helping you when the auction begins. Be sure to assign people with specific jobs and provide all needed materials and information. It’s important that you have enough supplies such as clipboards, pens and bid sheets.

Gain more bids by grouping items together by category, this will make it easier for your guests to navigate through the items they are more interested in purchasing.  Try closing the bidding by section, as opposed to closing the entire auction all at once. This will create more bidding action throughout the entire auction. Start with the lowest priced items and work your way to the highest valued.

More and more people do not carry cash. Having a simple and affordable device that will accept both credit cards and debit cards will generate more money. Without this device, you’ll see your revenue cut.

We also suggest sending email blasts, social media posts and posting online catalogs of the items you are selling. When done properly this will generate some buzz before the auction starts and should get your group some more foot traffic. Many non-profits have found that allowing people to bid online is another great way to generate some more bids.

The truth is, not everyone will walk away with an item at your auction. Have a table at your auction with some literature about your group and the work you do within the community, this will encourage people to make donations even if they didn’t purchase anything.

How Auctioneers Fundraising Group International Can Make Your Silent Fundraising Auction a Success

We take a lot of pride in being able to provide Toronto and York region non-profit groups with a turn-key fundraising auction solution. It begins with our experience. We are a family-run auction company and we’ve been running fundraising auctions for over 40 years. We’ve helped a wide range of groups raise funds, from local high schools to multiple A-list celebrity charity gala auctions. Experience is a key component to having a successful auction and we are passionate about bringing this auction experience to your group’s auction.

Throughout the years we’ve run high-profile and successful fundraising auctions such as the Toronto Taste auction, the Parachute Gala, the Marques d’Elegance auction, Baeumler Family Foundation Gala and many others. We’ve also managed celebrity hosted auction featuring stars such as Al Pacino (Empower Global and Good Shepherd Centres of Hamilton), Sylvester Stallone (Canadian Diabetes Association), Garth Brooks (Teammates for Kids) and many other stars.

Our team can take your fundraising auction to the next level. You pick what works best; it can be a silent auction, a live auction, or an online auction. Regardless of what you pick, we’ll help make your group’s fundraising auction both exciting and profitable.

We work hard to partner with you and your group; we take care of all the details and leverage our 40 years of experience. That’s why we provide unlimited consultation and advice through the entire process of planning your auction. We also have access to a wide range of items to be auctioned off.

You and your team can relax and enjoy the event while our professional team will do a full set up and take down of everything. We’ll make sure all items are presented in an attractive display and we manage all bidding sheets and auction supplies.

Check out is easy and smooth with our wireless POS technology. At the end of the event, you will receive a full breakdown of bidding and a final reconciliation.

Need More Items for Your Fundraising Auction?

One of the hardest parts of putting together a successful fundraising auction is to have the right items that will generate a high amount of bids. At AFGI we have you covered; we have access to a wide range of items that we can sell at your auction. The best part is, you will be our partner and we’ll guarantee you a percentage of the final highest bid.

You, of course, will receive all of the proceeds from the donated items you sell at the auction. With AFGI, your charity will receive more money than any other auction company offers. All you need to do is deposit the cheque – we’ll handle the rest!

Contact one of our professional fundraising specialists today  at AFGI.ca to alleviate the work and worry associated with your next event. Ensure its success!

How to Run a Successful Silent Auction in the Toronto and York Region

Many Toronto non-profits have turned to auctions as a way to fundraise for their respective cause. At the Auctioneers Fundraising Group International (AFGI), we have earned a reputation for being Canada’s top live and silent auction fundraising experts. We understand what it takes to raise much-needed funds during your Toronto fundraising auction.

Should Your Group Have a Silent Auction?

Every fundraising auction is unique; each presents its own set of goals and challenges. A silent auction can be a great way to generate funds, but is it right for your group? Silent auction fundraisers work best when you have a large number of items to auction off, or if you have a lot of people attending the auction bidding on a few higher-end items.

There’s no other way to say it. Hosting a silent fundraising auction is a lot of work. You will need volunteers to help you run the actual auction and keep track of items, bids and payment. Overall, a silent auction is a great way to generate funds, but it takes people and is oftentimes very labour-intensive.

Setting Up Your Silent Fundraising Auction

Again, make sure you have enough people helping you when the auction begins. Be sure to assign people with specific jobs and provide all needed materials and information. It’s important that you have enough supplies such as clipboards, pens and bid sheets.

Gain more bids by grouping items together by category, this will make it easier for your guests to navigate through the items they are more interested in purchasing.  Try closing the bidding by section, as opposed to closing the entire auction all at once. This will create more bidding action throughout the entire auction. Start with the lowest priced items and work your way to the highest valued.

More and more people do not carry cash. Having a simple and affordable device that will accept both credit cards and debit cards will generate more money. Without this device, you’ll see your revenue cut.

We also suggest sending email blasts, social media posts and posting online catalogs of the items you are selling. When done properly this will generate some buzz before the auction starts and should get your group some more foot traffic. Many non-profits have found that allowing people to bid online is another great way to generate some more bids.

The truth is, not everyone will walk away with an item at your auction. Have a table at your auction with some literature about your group and the work you do within the community, this will encourage people to make donations even if they didn’t purchase anything.

How Auctioneers Fundraising Group International Can Make Your Silent Fundraising Auction a Success

We take a lot of pride in being able to provide Toronto and York region non-profit groups with a turn-key fundraising auction solution. It begins with our experience. We are a family-run auction company and we’ve been running fundraising auctions for over 40 years. We’ve helped a wide range of groups raise funds, from local high schools to multiple A-list celebrity charity gala auctions. Experience is a key component to having a successful auction and we are passionate about bringing this auction experience to your group’s auction.

Throughout the years we’ve run high-profile and successful fundraising auctions such as the Toronto Taste auction, the Parachute Gala, the Marques d’Elegance auction, Baeumler Family Foundation Gala and many others. We’ve also managed celebrity hosted auction featuring stars such as Al Pacino (Empower Global and Good Shepherd Centres of Hamilton), Sylvester Stallone (Canadian Diabetes Association), Garth Brooks (Teammates for Kids) and many other stars.

Our team can take your fundraising auction to the next level. You pick what works best; it can be a silent auction, a live auction, or an online auction. Regardless of what you pick, we’ll help make your group’s fundraising auction both exciting and profitable.

We work hard to partner with you and your group; we take care of all the details and leverage our 40 years of experience. That’s why we provide unlimited consultation and advice through the entire process of planning your auction. We also have access to a wide range of items to be auctioned off.

You and your team can relax and enjoy the event while our professional team will do a full set up and take down of everything. We’ll make sure all items are presented in an attractive display and we manage all bidding sheets and auction supplies.

Check out is easy and smooth with our wireless POS technology. At the end of the event, you will receive a full breakdown of bidding and a final reconciliation.

Need More Items for Your Fundraising Auction?

One of the hardest parts of putting together a successful fundraising auction is to have the right items that will generate a high amount of bids. At AFGI we have you covered; we have access to a wide range of items that we can sell at your auction. The best part is, you will be our partner and we’ll guarantee you a percentage of the final highest bid.

You, of course, will receive all of the proceeds from the donated items you sell at the auction. With AFGI, your charity will receive more money than any other auction company offers. All you need to do is deposit the cheque – we’ll handle the rest!

Contact one of our professional fundraising specialists today to alleviate the work and worry associated with your next event. Ensure its success!

Charity Auction Toronto

Posted on by AFGI

Tips for Hosting a Successful Charity Auction Toronto and York Region

A charity auction is an excellent way for a non-profit organization to raise some funds for their group. Additionally, it can be a great networking opportunity and will allow your group a platform for communicating a message to a captive audience.

Charity auctions usually fall into one of three categories

Silent Auctions

During a silent auction, the items are usually displayed on tables throughout the room and the event’s attendees have an opportunity to browse around. Typically, a sheet of paper is displayed next to each item and attendees will write their bids down. The person with the highest bid will win the item.

Silent auctions are perfect for a charitable group to create a social and open event. By having attendees walk around you will have a great opportunity to discuss group’s mission and goals. A silent auction is less structured allowing for more interaction between attendees. This allows participants the ability to have greater control of their auction experience.

Many times a silent auction will be part of a larger event. The casual nature of a silent auction allows people the ability to come and go as they please.

The lack of urgency of a silent auction can sometimes decrease the incentive to bid. People sometimes tend to bid more aggressively in a live auction.

Live Auctions

A more traditional format that still works well today. An auctioneer will be in charge of calling out every item and running an auction to generate excitement and bidding. The auction’s attendees will raise paddles or shout out bids in an effort to win the item being auctioned off.

Live auctions may be the most engaging way to generate money. An experienced auctioneer will create excitement and some friendly competition. When your guests know they have a short amount of time to win an item the bidding can be fast and aggressive.

Online Auction

In a nutshell, an online auction is a digital variation of a silent auction. Participants are encouraged to visit a website where they can view images and descriptions of the items being auctioned off. This format allows people the ability to browse and bid on auction items in the comfort of their own home. Typically, a participant will create an account which contains a credit card number, this allows for easy online purchasing.

An online auction is usually the most affordable solution for non-profit organizations. There’s a lot more time available for online auctions, with auctions sometimes lasting more than one day. Participants can also bid at any time of the day.

Each of these auctions has their benefits, but each presents their downsides, too. You should consider the preferences of your audience when deciding what kind of auction is best for your organization.

At AFGI, we run multiple live and online auctions weekly. We utilize the latest online technology to create a fun and secure online auction experience.

It’s important to have the right items at your auction. We have found that having an interesting range of items combined with various price points is a great way to generate bids. Keep your auction fun and lively by having live music and food.

At AFGI, we have everything you need to run a successful auction. Our experienced team will walk your organization through the entire auction process. We specialize in both online and live charity auction events. Learn more about how we can help your group by contacting us today.

Silent Auction Toronto

Posted on by AFGI

 

How to Run a Successful Silent Auction for Charity

Silent Auction Toronto - AFGI - Associated Fundraising Group

A silent auction is a great way to buy some really great items at an affordable price. At the AFGI, we have 40 years of auction experience and we’ve hosted many silent auctions in Toronto and throughout the York region.

During a silent auction, attendees enter the auction and have an opportunity to view all of the items being sold during the event. Beside each item is a sheet of paper, attendees can write their bid on the paper. This creates an opportunity for an exciting auction with people having the ability to be in complete control of the bidding process and can see the other bids at a glance. With so many items being sold at one time, a silent auction is a great way to spend an evening.

At the end of the event, the person with the highest bid will win the item. The end time of the auction is usually set before the auction begins, this allows people the ability to properly plan and budget. The auction is silent, meaning that the auctioneer does not sell the items to the bidders.

Many charities find that silent auctions are an excellent way to generate funds for their group. Most Toronto charity silent auctions have a fixed starting amount for each item. This ensures that the items will be sold for a reasonable price. It’s also not unusual to have predetermined bid increments, or a guaranteed bid amount (which is essentially the same as a ‘buy now’ option). Non-profits throughout the York region utilize silent auctions as a stand-alone event to attract both fundraising money and attention for their respective causes.

Working with a professional auction house will help groups plan and run a profitable silent auction. We’ve been helping charities in the Toronto and York region raise much-needed funds by organizing and hosting successful silent auctions.

The most successful silent auctions either have a lot of items up for grabs, or they have a lot of people show up. Ideally, your silent auction will have a few high-end items that will get some attention and attract a large number of competitive bids. Be sure to ask supporters to donate a wide range of items. You’ll find that many individuals and businesses within your community will be willing to donate an item for your auction. Your silent auction can be an excellent platform for a local business to promote their products. Be sure to clearly explain the goals of your auction and who will benefit from the funds you raise during the event.

The more people you can have volunteering the better. Having volunteers working with a professional auctioneer is the best combination. Volunteers can help with set up, monitor and close tables, make sure all rules are being followed and collect money from the attendees.

It’s important to begin setting up a few hours before the auction. This will allow you and your volunteers the ability to avoid any costly mistakes. Take advantage of this time and create a master list of all the items up for auction and their value. Make sure there are enough bid sheets, clipboards and pens to keep the auction running smoothly. We also recommend taping the bid sheet to the table with some clear tape, there’s a lot of foot traffic during a silent auction and you don’t want to have your sheets lost or misplaced when people are trying to place their bids.

During the auction, you’ll want to have people available to answer any questions, but it’s also important to give bidders their space. Be sure to give proper warnings as closing time approaches, this will allow for a smoother auction will promote some last minute action.

At the AFGI, we specialize in hosting and planning silent auctions in the Toronto and York regions. We’ve had the honour of helping some great groups host successful silent auctions. Our experienced team of auctioneers will work with you and your organization to plan a profitable auction. Our family of Toronto auctioneers are proud members of the National Auctioneers Association members and graduates of the world-renowned World Wide College of Auctioneering.

Feel free to call us with any questions regarding your upcoming silent auction event.