Fundraising Auctions
Let Us Put The Fun In Fundraising!Inspiring Generosity, One Bid at a Time. Every bid tells a story of hope and support. With nearly a quarter century of experience, we transform fundraising auctions into unforgettable events that energize your audience, amplify your mission, and maximize your impact. Let’s work together to turn your vision into life-changing results.
Transforming Events Into Fundraising Success
As Benefit Auction Specialists (BAS), we transform fundraising events into engaging experiences that maximize donations. We provide live auction bid calling, emcee services, revenue enhancement consultation, and professional event support for schools, churches, hospitals, museums, and civic organizations throughout Ohio and nationally.
Whether you’re hosting your first benefit auction or refining an established event, our specialized training in benefit auction techniques ensures your organization raises maximum funds while creating memorable experiences that strengthen donor relationships and build momentum for future giving.
What We Auction at Fundraising Events
Benefit auctions feature unique experiences and items that inspire competitive bidding and generous support. Over the years, we’ve successfully sold:
- Travel packages and getaway experiences – Vacation homes, airline tickets, resort stays, adventure trips
- Exclusive experiences – Private dinners with notable figures, behind-the-scenes tours, VIP event access
- Luxury items and collectibles – Fine jewelry, art, wine collections, designer goods
- Sports and entertainment – Game tickets, meet-and-greets, signed memorabilia, season passes
- Services and lessons – Personal training, music lessons, photography sessions, consulting packages
- Local business packages – Restaurant gift certificates, spa days, golf outings, entertainment bundles
- One-of-a-kind opportunities – Named recognition, custom commissions, special privileges
The most successful benefit auctions combine donated items with curated packages that appeal to your donor base and reflect your organization’s mission and values.
Our Fundraising Auction Services
Live Auction Bid Calling: Professional auctioneering that builds excitement, engages donors, and maximizes bidding competition throughout your event.
Event Emcee Services: Skilled facilitation that keeps your program flowing smoothly, maintains energy, and connects your mission to donor generosity.
Revenue Enhancement Consultation: Strategic guidance on proven techniques like “Heads or Tails” games, “Raise Your Paddle” appeals, and other fundraising elements that complement your live auction.
Pre-Event Planning Support: Collaboration with your committee on auction item selection, catalog development, bidder registration strategies, and event flow optimization.
Professional Event Support: Coordination with your team and venue to ensure seamless execution from setup through checkout.
Our approach emphasizes partnership with your event chairs and volunteer committees. We bring expertise in auction dynamics and donor engagement while respecting that you know your supporters best.
The Fundraising Auction Process
Initial Consultation: We meet with your event chair and committee to understand your organization’s mission, fundraising goals, donor profile, and event vision.
Event Planning: Together we develop your auction strategy, discuss potential items and revenue enhancers, and review event logistics to ensure a successful outcome.
Pre-Event Preparation: We provide guidance on building excitement through item previews and marketing strategies that drive attendance and participation.
Event Day: We arrive ready to deliver professional live auction bid calling that builds excitement, engages your donors, and maximizes competitive bidding throughout your event.
Post-Event: We’re available to discuss results and provide recommendations for strengthening future events based on what we observed during your auction.
Why Organizations Choose Hoffman Auctions
Specialized Benefit Auction Training: Our Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) designation and Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) credentials represent the highest level of professional training in both benefit auction techniques and overall auction excellence.
Revenue Enhancement Expertise: We bring proven strategies for maximizing donations beyond the live auction itself, including paddle raises, challenge gifts, and engagement techniques that inspire generous giving.
Mission-Focused Approach: We understand that benefit auctions are about more than transactions – they’re opportunities to strengthen donor relationships, celebrate your impact, and build momentum for sustained support.
Professional Event Experience: With nearly 25 years conducting auctions across Ohio and nationally, we bring the polish and confidence that allows your volunteers and attendees to focus on celebrating your cause.
Proven Track Record: Organizations throughout our region trust us to deliver results that exceed expectations. Visit our Client Testimonials page to hear directly from event chairs and nonprofit leaders we’ve served.
For Donors and Attendees
Benefit auctions create an exciting atmosphere where your competitive spirit serves a worthy cause. The live auction format adds energy and entertainment to your evening while giving you opportunities to secure unique items and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
When you raise your paddle, you’re not just winning an auction lot – you’re making a visible statement of support that inspires others and directly advances the organization’s mission. Many donors find benefit auctions to be the most engaging and rewarding form of charitable giving.
Ready to Elevate Your Fundraising Event?
Let’s discuss how professional benefit auction services can help your organization exceed its fundraising goals while creating an unforgettable experience for your donors.
Contact Michael Hoffman
Call or text: (614) 314-0298
Email: info@HoffmanAuctions.com
The following benefit auction items are “general” ideas and not all will work for your unique auction scenario.
Please contact Auctioneer Michael Hoffman for more details on how your fund raising auction can be a success.
- Dinner prepared by a private chef for “x” number of people in your home
- Tickets to a local or national sporting event
- Team or player/coach signed footballs or jerseys
- Signed professional sports items (soccer balls, hockey pucks/sticks, etc.)
- Artwork (original or limited editions from well known artist)
- Beach home getaway
- Best seats at graduation (or any other special school event)
- Night at the ballgame (including dinner, parking, signed game ball, etc.)
- Parking for a year (great for school auctions!)
- Chauffeured romantic evening (dinner, play, luxury hotel, breakfast)
- Dessert a month for a year (dinners, flowers, chocolate, etc.)
- Custom built playhouse (gazebo, dog house, arbors, etc.)
- Class projects (make sure each student signs or identifies in some way)
- Dinner with a celebrity (local or national)
- Framed and signed movie posters
- Fishing or hunting trips
- Vacation and travel packages (time shares, flights, etc.)
- Girl’s day out (package including lunch, shopping, massage, hair care, etc.)
- Handmade quilt
- Car lease (could be for the weekend, month or year)
- Guided tours (company, sports team complex, brewery, movie sets, etc.)
- Harley Davidson motorcycle or apparel
- Aerial sightseeing (plane, helicopter, balloon, etc.)
- Lessons (imagine all the possibilities! Skydiving, piano, martial arts, etc.)
- Mystery dinner
- Name the facility (street, room, etc.)
- Buy a tile, brick or plaque
- Principal for the day
- Lunch with a favorite teacher
- Student hot lunch for a year
- Party at the fire station
- School tuition for a year
- VIP table for next year’s auction!
- Puppies
- Bicycles
- Jewelry
- Persian rugs
- Tool sets
- Carved pieces from an old building to be added to a new construction project
- YMCA family membership for one year includes exercise gear, gym bag, jump rope, etc.
- Golf clubs and bag with round of golf for 4 players
- Restaurant gift certificates
- Tour and stay at a vineyard plus wine tasting, etc.
- Ride on a float in a local parade
- 10 day African safari
- Shark diving adventure
- Customized gift baskets
- World Poker Tour tickets for taping of shows
- Gourmet dinner from a well known restaurant at home
- A driving lesson in a race car (NASCAR)
- A day in your favorite city (spa, lunch, show/movie, wine tasting…dinner and dessert plus limousine)
- Great concert tickets.
- Queen for a year (house cleaning, dry cleaning, gardening, spa, dessert, manicures, etc.)
- Helicopter ride with the local police department
- Carwash by the local politician
- BBQ for 30 of your friends by the sports team and coaches
- US flag flown over the White House, Congress, State legislature…Signed?
- Free fancy loaner car for the weekend.
- Tour and stay at a vineyard…plus wine tasting etc.
- Ride on a float in a parade.
- Photo session for the family
- Teeth whitening or other cosmetic surgery
- Gym membership for a year
- Oil change for a year
- Car detailing for a year
- Backstage concert passes with concert tickets
- A day or lunch or dinner with the local or national celebrity athletes
One Call. One Company. We Handle It All!
Auctions • Real Estate• Appraisals