One of the most enduring and popular special events is the charity auction. With careful attention to details and plenty of dedicated volunteers, an auction can produce numerous benefits for your organization.

1. A Fun Event. A well-organized live, or silent auction, will not only entertain and delight your guests, it will also ensure their return to future events.

2. A Media Event. Using local celebrities, athletes, and media personalities during the auction will almost guarantee publicity. Unique auction items, such as cars, trips or the sneakers of Michael Jordan will also help create a buzz of media attention.

3. Recruits new volunteers. An auction needs the support of many volunteers. You will need people to find and pick up prizes, be runners the night of the event, provide record-keeping assistance, and a myriad of other activities.

4. Image enhancement for your organization. A well-produced auction will speak volumes about the management and coordination of your organization. People want to come back to an event that was enjoyable, perfectly choreographed and executed, and they want to financially support organizations that sponsor such an event.

5. Enthusiasm builds toward an annual auction. As the date draws closer, and the prizes add up, enthusiasm builds within the staff, Board and volunteers.

6. Organizational involvement. An auction is volunteer intensive. To be successful it needs the dedicated support of all your internal constituents including spouses. This event becomes a magnet for volunteers who want to be involved with the organization.

7. New donors. The excitement and fun of an auction will generate more people to your event. When your organization has acquired unique prizes, people who may not have attended a regular event will put your auction on their social calendar.

8. Increased dollars from your event. Generally an auction takes place in conjunction with a dinner or dance. Without an auction the only revenue generated would be the initial donation to attend. The beauty of an auction is the potential for generating additional dollars from the attendees when they catch the spirit of the event and begin bidding.

9. Increased donor base. An auction, like any other special event, will help increase your donor base. However, individuals who come to an auction and spend substantial dollars, are more likely to become major donors in the future.

10. A Win Win Event! Everybody wins with a well-coordinated auction. The organization makes money, patrons leave with a new treasure, and the organization has pulled together to achieve success!