Silent auctions have long been a useful weapon in the fundraising arsenal of not-for-profit organisations, but with the days of pens and paper almost gone, new technology is beginning to take over.
Many organisations are turning to digital silent auction technology run on tablets and smart phones, which is reportedly helping to increase the frequency and value of bids.
A world leader in silent auction technology, iBid, enjoyed a 114% rise in the number of charities using their service between April 2012 and March 2013.
iBid, a UK organisation planning to expand into Australia soon, also won a 2013 Partners in Fundraising Award for Best Digital/Tech Partner – Charity Facing.
While the price of silent auction technology appears restrictive for smaller groups, for larger fundraisers it could prove cost-effective.
Australian suppliers of silent auction technology include:
A silent auction is an auction held without an auctioneer.
Items are usually set up on tables with sheets of paper in front of them.
On these sheets of paper there is an item description, how much the item is worth, starting bid (usually less than the retail price), and minimum bid increments. Bidders write their name, phone number and bid under this information.
Silent auctions are popular fundraisers because they are relatively unobtrusive, novel, encourage less-aggressive competition than live auctions, and can be held during other events.
Silent auction technology may not be affordable for all groups or appropriate for all fundraising functions.
It's hard to pin down exact costs. Suppliers of the technology contacted by the Funding Centre declined to reveal their pricing structures, suggesting instead that people contact them directly to discuss specifics such as attendee numbers, projected funds raised, equipment needed and payment facilities.
IML account manager Sandy Cheng gave a rough price estimate for a function of 100 people – roughly $5000 – which she suggested would be the cheapest option.
However, Ms Cheng said there were many variables which would affect the price. She said groups likely to raise less than $20,000 through a silent auction would need to carefully assess whether the technology was worth it.
It's quite simple. At any charity fundraising event (in particular those evening sit-down dinners, although a charity golf day or lunch also works just as well) we display two or three mobile devices, like a small tablet, on each table.
Supporters at the event are then able to pick these up and either bid for any of the lots that are presented there, or donate immediately to the charity.
Attendees are able to browse the lots and then enter their own bid, which is then broadcast around the room.
They have the choice to shout about who they are or keep their bid anonymous and if no one bids more than them during the silent auction, they will then 'win' that item.
iBid also provides for pre-event websites, free-standing bidding stations at an event where people are standing up (e.g. pre-dinner drinks), text bidding and even stand-alone charity-focused auction websites.
The silent auction technology lends itself perfectly to the night and has had incredible success at raising a lot more money for charities.
There are plenty of accolades from the charities themselves who have used iBid's technology and who are absolutely convinced that it has had a seriously positive impact on the amount raised, as well as adding much fun to the evening.
As iBid's technology has improved we have evidence to show that more and more people are bidding and more frequently at the event. At the English National Ballet Gala the organisation received 580 bids from only 330 attendees (1.8 bids per person) and raised £15,000 more than in the previous year (a 40% increase).
Research your supplier. Use the best.
iBid has never once had a major technical issue and prides itself on the robustness of its technology, which has been five years in the making and with significant investment.
The night literally hangs on this technology and so you must be absolutely sure that the system will work at the venue and on the night.
Also look for great service – there is a lot that goes into preparing for the event and on the night itself there needs to be dedicated, professional, friendly and knowledgeable staff looking after the technology, both to help event goers use the system and also to provide reports during the evening, collect payments and generally promote the use – all with one purpose in mind: to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
Based in the UK, iBid also operates in the United States and plans to expand to Australia.
