Marking a second straight year of 100% in-person galas, 2024 was a fun year for fundraising auctions. Trips continued to be successful, and dining and entertainment remained the most popular category across fundraising auctions. The most exciting trips transcended “retail” and included unique experiences, offered access to popular members of the community, or both. In this year’s top 10 list, I’ve included an example that covers both of those bases. More than a few dining and entertainment lots made the list as well.
Buy-in parties remain popular and profitable, and this year’s top 10 includes just one shining example. I have always been a huge proponent of the “instant gratification introductory lot,” as well as the collection of restaurants for a “year of dining.” This year, two organizations took both of those ideas to new levels.
The top trend of 2024 was the success of organization-related or organization-specific auction lots. Many organizations created extremely exciting and successful auction lots by utilizing opportunities or relationships from within. These organization-specific lots achieved multiple goals: they effectively communicated the message of the organization, gave donors the opportunity to remain engaged with the organization through redemption of the auction lot, and often were extremely profitable. Organization-specific lots provide a great example when creating your own lots. Not every organization can get a private plane donated for a trip to New Orleans, but most organizations have an experience in-house that could be utilized in their fundraising auction (contact me to brainstorm!).
As always, this list utilizes my arbitrary definition of what makes for an exciting auction lot. “Exciting” is about a lot’s uniqueness, creativity, and the buzz the lot generated at the event. Sale price is a factor, but more important is the number of people who bid on a particular lot.
Our first example took the concept of the “introductory, instant gratification lot” and expanded it. I am a champion of low-cost/highly desirable warm-up auction lots to engage the crowd and build momentum. If you have a DJ or band, including them as part of the opener is an easy ask:
Bubbles, Beats and Sweets
Once again, we are going to kick off this auction in style, with a party at your table, and your shot to start the dance party off with the perfect song! Start with some instant gratification: a bottle of sparkling wine chilled and ready to be served to your table as soon as you are ready. Paired with it is a selection of chocolates from Jesus Chavez and Linda Sanchez’s Casa De Chocolates, where they blend the essence of Mesoamerican chocolate traditions with modern, creative flavor pairings.
As if that weren’t enough fun, DJ Sami of the Heart of Gold DJs is here to rock the party. Sami’s been with Heart of Gold for a decade and they are going to let you pick the first song of their set!
How will you kick off the evening? So. Much. Pressure.
Opening Bid: $250 Value: $500
A Year of Michelin Star Dining
Experience the pinnacle of culinary excellence with our exclusive live auction item: a year of Michelin-starred dining in the Bay Area. Indulge in the finest epicurean experiences with dinner for two at 12 prestigious restaurants, each adorned with coveted Michelin stars.
Your journey begins at Acquerello, where Italian elegance meets innovative flavors in a two-star setting. From there, venture to Angler for sustainable seafood and wood-fired delights. Gary Danko awaits, promising culinary mastery and impeccable service in an esteemed Michelin-starred atmosphere.
Continue your culinary adventure at Lazy Bear, where two-star communal dining meets avant-garde cuisine. Madcap invites you to savor inventive dishes in a setting that celebrates culinary artistry in Marin County. At Mister Jiu’s, modern Chinese cuisine takes center stage, offering a fusion of bold flavors and innovative creations.
Nari beckons with inventive Thai dishes, while San Ho Won showcases the art of Korean barbecue. SingleThread transports you to the bountiful fields of Sonoma County with a three-star farm-to-table tasting menu. Sorrel celebrates Northern California cuisine with rustic elegance and modern flair.
State Bird Provisions invites you to enjoy small plates bursting with flavor in a lively setting. Conclude your culinary odyssey at The Village Pub, where classic American fare meets contemporary sophistication in lush Woodside.
Bid for a chance to embark on this extraordinary culinary journey, where each meal promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Don't miss out on the opportunity to indulge in a year of Michelin-starred dining excellence in the Bay Area.
Opening Bid: $6,000 Value: $7,500
[“A Year of Fine Dining” or “Date Night for a Year” is always a popular auction lot and a great way to utilize restaurant gift certificates that would otherwise be spread out across the silent auction. This organization took that idea to a new level and gave their board an easy way to contribute to the auction.]
Animated Star of the Screen
Is the allure of the big screen and Hollywood lights calling your name? Capture your moment of entertainment fame and be a small part of an important animated film based on the novel “Tangles.” The movie tells the story of a daughter coming home to her oddball family to care for her mother living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The winning bidder will be able to see their likeness transformed into a captivating animated character in a movie produced by Monarch Media. The film is currently in production and the talented team of artists and character designers are prepared to capture every nuance of your likeness for the viewing audience to enjoy. Your “avatar” will be as unique and vibrant as you are. And the piece de resistance is that your name will be listed in the movie credits and on IMDb!
Opening Bid: $2,000
[This lot was sold at an Alzheimer’s Association event, offering an incredibly unique opportunity that also tied directly to the mission of the organization.]
Honorary Little Wishes Coordinator for a Day!
You will step inside the hospital with us and be a Little Wishes Coordinator for a day at LPCH-Stanford. As our special guest, you will lead activities in the hospital playroom located on the oncology floor, accompanied by Child Life Specialists showing you how our little patients escape into the Land of Play.
Opening Bid: $500
Final Sale Price: $12,000
[During the cocktail hour at this event, I chatted with the donor who purchased this lot the year before. They said it was a phenomenal experience, one of their most memorable moments of the year. They loved it so much, that they were one of the high bidders again, purchasing the lot two years in a row.]
An Evening with LANDO and Friends, “Part Deux”!
You are invited to join us for the “part feux” of an incredible and memorable evening of wine, food, and music. If you heard about how fantastic this evening was this past April, you know you don’t want to miss our second act. This unique lot is a culmination of Sam Lando’s friendships. Each participating winery is good friends with Sam Lando, and coincidentally, they produce some of the best wines in their categories (Cabernets, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Rhone varieties).
So let’s set the stage…
You and your guest will arrive at Back Forty’s tasting room decked out for a party. First, the crew will enjoy an extensive tasting with our fabulous featured winery partners. After the tasting, you will certainly be looking for some delicious food and Lando and friends will deliver! Our winemakers (and their wines) will join the guests for a seated meal where local chefs will delight the winning bidders with a wine country-inspired menu.
You may say, “All that is missing is some live music”, and we’ll say that we’ve got you more than covered! To cap off this fabulous evening, three songwriters will take to the stage while you are enjoying dinner and copious amounts of awesome wine for an intimate acoustic set.. This is going to be one for the ages!
Bid high for this incredible experience that will wow your senses!!
35 Couples: $3,000/Couple!
[This buy-in lot highlights the power of buy-ins: offering bidders a unique experience worthy of sharing with a large group, at a price that is well below the average of the auction, without sacrificing the total amount raised by this auction lot (35 x $3,000 = $105,000).]
Rock & Hammer Rarities: Pinot Noir Lot
With five NBA championship victories as Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs and the most wins by an NBA coach ever, Gregg Popovich knows that putting in the daily work is essential to long-term success.
That’s the story behind Rock & Hammer Pinot Noir, the wine created by Coach Popovich and Rex Hill Winery, one of the pioneers of Oregon Pinot. Growing Pinot Noir is exceptionally difficult. Making wine from this fastidious grape requires intense dedication. A lover and collector of fine wine, Coach Popovich has worked with the Rex Hill Winery since 2005 to fashion the very best expression that Oregon can produce.
With this lot, you’ll receive every vintage produced by Rock & Hammer, beginning with their very first from 2005. These wines have never been available commercially, having been offered solely as part of Coach Popovich’s charitable endeavors. To our knowledge, a complete collection of these wines has never been offered — until now. In fact, this lot is so rare that it warranted a scoop on ESPN.com from sportswriter Baxter Holmes.
Includes:
• Rock & Hammer Pinot Noir: 2005-2017, 2019 (several signed by Gregg Popovich)
• Four seats to a San Antonio Spurs game from Coach Popovich’s allocation, on a mutually agreed date.
Donor: Gregg Popovich and Mike & Nancy T
[The uniqueness of this lot, coupled with the celebrity of Gregg Popovich resulted in coverage for this lot by ESPN sportswriter Baxter Holmes before the event took place.]
Opening Bid: $12,000 Value: $24,000
First Call to Kids Camp
Get first dibs for your kids this High Desert Museum Kids Camp season! Secure exclusive early access to registration for the 2024/25 Kids Camp series and get a coveted sneak peek of the Winter 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 camp dates and themes a full week before they’re released to the public. The High Desert Museum offers a unique, immersive learning environment where your kiddos can engage in hands-on discovery and exploration, making these camps highly sought after and quickly filled due to their exceptional, enriching experiences.
Don’t miss this chance to ensure your child’s spot in these popular programs, offering unforgettable educational adventures at one of the region’s most cherished institutions. Does not include camp fees, cannot exceed three spots simultaneously, and must be in one household.
Opening Bid: $500 Value: $2,000
[Another great example of a very organization-specific lot, this package did not include the actual classes. It was only for the ability to be first in line, and any parent who has ever tried to sign their kids up for camp knows how challenging getting into camp can be.]
Six Bottles of 1989 in Honor of the 35th Anniversary of vinNEBRASKA and 40th of Stephen Center
From the wine cellar of vinNEBRASKA Board president Mark G comes a commemorative half-case of fine wine from ’89. Celebrating 40 years of the Stephen Center and 35 years of Vin Nebraska, you get six bottles of red that have held up well:
· ’89 ZD Wines Napa Vally Pinot
· ’89 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet
· ’89 Peju Napa Valley Cabernet
· ’89 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet
· ’89 Chante Cigale Chateauneuf-du-Pape
· ’89 Rioja Vega Crianza
All housed in a custom made vinNEBRASKA wine box made by a local artisan so you can display these bottles proudly!
Opening Bid: $250 Value: $500
[Milestones make for good auction lots, and this well-aged collection of wine from the year this wine auction was founded proves it doesn’t have to be a huge lot to be exciting.]
Bloom & Brunch: Flower Arranging Class
Twelve people enjoy the opportunity to learn the fine art of arranging flowers with our very own auction chair, Meredith J. Make your way to Amber J.’s house, where you’ll be welcomed on to her lovely deck with a mimosa. Then Meredith will give you a hands-on demonstration of the fine art of crafting bouquets.
From flower finding to color matching and stem trimming, Meredith will teach you all the ins and outs of creating colorful bouquets. For an example of her handiwork, look no further than your centerpiece tonight: Meredith created and donated all of them!
After learning how to create fantastic floral arrangements, you’ll enjoy brunch prepared with fresh eggs from Amber Jo’s “surviving chickens” – it’s a long story, we don’t have time for it now – and paired with more fun and bubbly!
Opening Bid: $1,200 Value: $2,200
[The auction chair also created all of the centerpieces for this gala. This auction lot was a double-whammy: it emphasized her popularity as auction chair, and it exemplified her abilities as a florist. Once the lot was over, we then gave away all of the floral centerpieces on each table.]
Southern Sky Ease to the Big Easy for Frank and Pardis Gras!
Come fly with Southern Sky to New Orleans where old spirits fly! Feasting, sipping, snacking and more – with jazz, historic sights, so much to adore!
It’s the trip you’ve always dreamed of but never imagined would ever even be a possibility… much less come true! Four (4) of you are headed to New Orleans for 3 deliciously action-packed days (and 2 colorful nights). Best part? You’ll be doing all of this in the company of Birmingham’s favorite hosts: Pardis and Frank Stitt!
Friday: You’ll fly conveniently and comfortably on a Cessna Citation XLS private jet courtesy of Southern Sky Aviation. A quick stop at the Four Seasons to drop bags, then off to lunch at the legendary Galatoire’s, a Stitt favorite! At Galatoire’s, where lunch is grand, a second line rolls through, brass band in hand!
After lunch you’ll make your way to the Bywater for an afternoon with Patrick Dunne, renowned culinary historian and antiques dealer. At his shoppe, Lucullus, you’ll have exclusive access to his expertly-curated collection of 19th century silverware and French crystal glasses. But what good is crystal without Champagne and a good story or two?
Dunne will captivate you with his tales of wit and wonder, sharing the fascinating histories behind the treasures you explore while you sip and shop. (Bring an empty bag: leaving empty-handed is hazardous!) You’ll build quite the appetite, too…
So it’s off to dinner at Herbsaint to enjoy Donald Link’s refined Southern flavors with a French twist. A James Beard winner, Link’s dishes strike the perfect balance of comfort and creativity – just what you’ll need to recharge. And since no day in NOLA is complete without a nightcap, wrap up with a drink or two at Cane & Able.
Saturday: Sleep in! Enjoy a leisurely morning along the river, stroll through the sleepy quarter, or indulge in one of the spa services offered at the Four Seasons.
Lunch at Peche, an upbeat, artsy, upscale lunch spot before indulging in an afternoon of culture, wine and live music at Bacchanal, NOLA’s most beloved and lively backyard party. Laissez les bon temps rouler right on into dinner at N7, one of Bon Appetit’s “Best New Restaurants of 2016.”
After dinner, you’ll head to Tipitina’s or Preservation Hall. The night is still young; let the jazz cast its call!
Sunday: Those Stitt’s just won’t quit. It’s off to brunch at Brennen’s! Fill up on Eggs Hussarde and Bananas Foster before your guided walking tour of the historic Garden District.
With feasting, music, and stories to share, this New Orleans trip is beyond compare.
Opening Bid: $25,000
[This lot has it all: access, relationship, travel. The Stitts are some of the most popular restauranteurs in Birmingham, and the opportunity to go to New Orleans with them was all kinds of exciting.]
Lindsay and Michael Tusk: Quince Come in Your Home
Indulge in a culinary masterpiece as Chef Michael Tusk brings the refined elegance of Three-Star Michelin cuisine from Quince to your home. With a lifelong passion for the culinary arts, Chef Tusk offers you an unparalleled dining experience, showcasing exceptional ingredients at their purest in the comfort of your own home.
Prepare for an extraordinary evening as Chef Tusk weaves together contemporary flavors with hand-selected, exceptional ingredients, creating a personalized menu tailored exclusively for your party of eight. Every dish is a testament to Chef Tusk's dedication to sourcing locally and seasonally, with ingredients carefully curated from Quince's network of Northern California purveyors, including their own farm.
To complement this culinary journey, Lindsay and Michael will personally curate a selection of wines from their cellar, perfectly paired with each course, enhancing the flavors and ensuring an unforgettable dining experience for you and your guests.
Mutually agreed upon date.
Value: $2,000, Private Chef Experience — Priceless
[Dining and entertainment is always a popular category, and having two well-known chefs come to your house for a gourmet, wine-paired feast is the pinnacle of this type of auction lot. But if you can’t get Michelin-starred, well-known chefs, lean into the people to whom you do have access: your committee, your board, or popular members of your auction community.]
Full Orthodontic Treatment from Image Orthodontics
From Dr. Yan Kalika and Image Orthodontics: our 45th Season Corporate Sponsor, comes the ultimate auction lot: a winning smile! Dr. Yan will give you or your loved one the perfect smile.
And we’re not trying to say that you don’t already have a beautiful smile, or that you haven’t passed on great looking teeth to your kids. We’re just saying Dr. Yan is that good. Whether you’ve been meaning to touch up some long-forgotten needs, or your child is having some growing pains of the mouth, Dr. Yan will lend new meaning to “winning smile” with this full orthodontic treatment! Everything you need from start to finish (but you’ll still have to brush and floss yourself).
Opening Bid: $2,000 Value: $6,500
[This final example is here to underscore how important it is to know your community and offer auction lots that are enticing to them. The San Francisco Girls Chorus auction is supported primarily by parents of middle-school-aged children: a prime demographic for orthodontia. This lot was the most bid on, most exciting lot of the auction, with three sets of parents going back and forth to get a tax write-off on their kid’s braces.]
