After two years of pandemic, 2022 marked an almost complete return to in-person fundraising, and the re-emergence of live auction “irrational philanthropy.” Crowds were excited to be back in the room together, and auction committees pulled out all the stops to put together creative and enticing auction lots, making it the perfect time to bring back our annual tradition of recapping the most exciting auction lots of the year.
The types of lots that succeeded had varied greatly through the first two years of the pandemic. This year, trips were back in full force, as people started traveling again and pent-up demand for vacations revealed itself in bidding behavior. In-person entertainment opportunities also reclaimed a top spot in auction popularity and profitability. People really want to be social, engage and interact. It follows that buy-in lots (also known as “buy-a-spots,” “count me ins” or “pay to play parties”) have emerged as one of the most popular and exciting live auction lots in 2022.
Get creative! The most exciting auction lots don’t have to be expensive, they just need to offer exclusive access to experiences, relationships or both.
This year’s list of exciting auction lots includes a sampling of each of the above, as well as some experiences and relationship-based lots. For the purposes of this list, “exciting” is an arbitrary assignation focused on each lot’s uniqueness, creativity, and the buzz generated at the event. Sale price impacts the decision, but only relative to how other lots sold at the same event. I have, however, included some opening bids and final sale prices for the very first time in this series.
Knowing where bidding started and where it ended up can help understand how exciting the bidding was for some lots. The single most exciting and memorable auction lot of 2022 was a lot that underscores how sometimes it is not the content of the lot, but the intentions of the bidders that makes for an exciting auction.
But comparing pricing between events can become a dangerous, and ultimately unhealthy, practice. Don’t get hung up on how much other events make, and instead utilize this list to create fun and exciting lots of your own! The goal of this list is to help inspire creativity (and profitability!) at your fundraising auction.
And with no further preamble, here are the most exciting fundraising auction lots of 2022 (click on the + symbol to the right to expand each lot’s description):
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Treat 50 of your closest friends to an exclusive Karaoke and Sushi Party at The Center. Sing your favorite songs from the main stage, enjoy sushi boats from local favorite Way Yum Sushi and drink chilled Soto Sake.
Hosted by professional singers and The Center's own Rachel and Brynn.
Opening Bid: $1,400
Sale Price: $7,000 (X2)
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The honor of naming the Museum’s new baby river otter could be yours! You will also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour from the wildlife team plus a special encounter with the baby otter. Find out why a group of otters is called a romp!
Opening Bid: $500
Sale Price: $12,000
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Our beloved Head of School is returning to a well-deserved retirement. Before his departure, he is giving us one last chance at his coveted dinner. Over the years, between his lots at Gala and SDV, Philippe has dazzled and delighted guests with 36 dinners.
Philippe’s dinners have become a cherished tradition and are famous among the school community. Now, it’s the last one ever, for real this time! Philippe will be returning to retirement, permanently. Here’s your final opportunity to enjoy this part of the school’s history.
As with his management of the school, Philippe brings equal parts efficiency, skill, and grace to his kitchen masterpieces. You will be treated to a sumptuous gourmet meal, prepared by Philippe in the intimacy and comfort of your own home. Enjoy a delicious dining experience where Philippe will also personally select the perfect wine to accompany each course, and he will guide you through his wine choices.
This is not your run-of-the-mill dinner party. This is a wine-paired treasure! Philippe personally hand-carries wine back from France, specifically for this dinner. He is extremely knowledgeable about wine and puts great thought and care into his selections, just as he does with his culinary creations. This evening is sure to be a feast for your palate!
Don’t miss out on this truly special experience before it’s going, going… GONE!
Opening Bid: $2,400
Final Sale Price: $42,000
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Being a Big is a big commitment – a commitment that can stretch a big’s creativity and budget. Bigs truly bring out the best in their Littles by exposing them to new experiences. And the responsibility is usually on the Bigs to fund these ventures.
Except for now: right now we are looking to you to partner with us to help send Matches to a 9ers game. For a home game in the upcoming regular season, your $1,000 donation will provide transportation to and from the game, a pair of seats for one Match, and food and drinks at the game.
Thanks to BBBS supporter JK and the 49ers!
Donation amount: $1,000/match to send them to the 49ers game
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Imagine a mountain range that fuels your soul makes you feel alive. With 15 peaks above 11,000 feet of elevation, the jaw dropping Ruby Mountains are an off-the-beaten path gem offering more than 200,000 acres of skiable terrain with an average dry snowpack of 300 feet. With wide open glaciated bowls, limber and white bark pines, and aspen forests, there is terrain for everyone.
So remote you will be helicoptered into this backcountry skiing adventure. With a limit of 16 people per tour, and 4 to 1 guide to client ratio, the Ruby Mountain Heli Skiing guest experience provides a private atmosphere with attention to detail, on the mountain or at the lodge.
The latest equipment is included with your stay. All guests are provided access to some of the best powder skis and poles currently on the market, along with airbag backpacks from Scott, transceivers from Mammut, and all required avalanche equipment.
Truly escape the crowds at our privately owned lodge at the base of the Ruby Mountains, located at 7,000 feet with inspiring 360 degree views of the Ruby Mountains to the south and east and the Great Basin Valley to the north and west
From the moment guests arrive at the lodge they are welcomed by our staff with a friendly and warm greeting. Get settled in your room, set up with skis and gear, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail from the Ruby 360 Bar overlooking the Great Basin, meet the guides and talk ski conditions and indulge in our nightly dinner service with anticipation of sitting in an A-Star and flying into the Rubies in the coming morning.
This package for two includes 3 nights lodging – double occupancy, all meals, designed and prepared by renowned chef Francy Hoyer and her team, ski equipment rental, Elko Airport shuttle, and complimentary Great Basin or Ruby Mountain beer are included.
Vertical guarantee of 15 runs, with option to ski up to 18 at no additional charge. Season runs from mid-January through mid-April.
The guests would be responsible for any extras such as the arrival night dinner, bar tab, single room upgrade, extra skiing, store purchases, etc.
Opening Bid: $6,000 Value: $11,992
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Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience at the 2023 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club!
This all-expenses trip includes:
• Two (2) people to enjoy tickets for either either Saturday; April 15th or Sunday; April 16th
• (2) Delta Business Class Vouchers.
• Airport Transportation
• Overnight accommodations for one night at a luxury guest house
• Daily meals
• Special Gifts.
Opening Bid: $5,000 Value: $15,000 Final Sale Price: $36,000
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Two Couples will be flown first class to NAPA and then enjoy 4 days and 3 nights at the exclusive Cardinale Villa. This beautiful home is on the grounds of the fabulous Cardinale Winery in Oakville, California.
Promontory tasting!!! This "can't get access" winery is a very special experience. Promontory, owned by the Harlan family is hidden in the hills of Oakville and is one of most beautiful sites in NAPA. Promontory is truly a world apart from the Napa Valley that most people experience. Within this secluded canyon there are two distinct fault lines, roughly demarcating the boundaries between volcanic, sedimentary, and metamorphic soils. This diverse geology is stretched across 500 feet of elevation, on a multitude of dramatic slopes and panoramic exposures.
Bryant Tasting- Don and Bettina Bryant have built one of NAPA's most incredible wineries on the Western Slope of Pritchard Hill. This rare opportunity to try these beautiful wines will truly be an out of this world experience. Bryant Estate wines are currently harvested, blended, and produced entirely by hand from grapes planted and grown on the original 13-acre estate, as well as on neighboring vineyards on Howell Mountain, Las Posadas, and Madrona.
Cardinale- during your stay the Winery will host you and your guests to a lunch and wine tasting of the wonderful Cardinale Wines. Cardinale was born in 1982, with a mission to produce a singular Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest quality vineyards in NAPA Valley. All sub-appellations of the region were to be considered, and grape sources change from year to year to create the most distinctive wine from each vintage. Made by the extraordinaire Chris Carpenter for over 20 years, Cardinale is a NAPA All Star!!
The Matheson- the hottest new dinner, wine and entertainment venue on the planet - is located in Healdsburg and is owned by everyone's favorite Healdsburg native and Chef extraordinaire Dustin Valette. You will enjoy a chef inspired meal prepared by Dustin and his team and get to enjoy the soon to be "out of this world" famous Wine Wall where you can sample up to 50 wines from all over the worlds by the glass!!!
Private Limo Service- during your stay in NAPA you will be chauffeured to and from your wine tastings in a private car.
Opening Bid: $15,000 Value: $25,000 Final Sale Price: $60,000
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For this memorable evening, Stuart brings his celebrated cooking style into your home. A locally focused and seasonally driven menu will be complemented by exceptional wines and the genuine hospitality of our service team. Expect a truly priceless experience!
All food and wine costs are included.
Value: $5,000/Private chef and wine experience — Priceless
Opening Bid: $5,000 Value: $5,000 Final Sale Price: $100,000 X2
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Enjoy great food in a beautiful location with live entertainment. 20 lucky bidders will be able to buy into this party catered by local favorite chef Antonio Asayrian at the beautiful Szabo vineyard in Penn Valley.
Buy-in: $150/person: 20 people
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Enjoy camping under the sun and the stars as you paddle your way down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
On this gorgeous 3-night, 4-day rafting excursion courtesy of Sonoma’s own Lombardi Wines and Middle Fork Rafting, owned and operated by the historic Middlefork Lodge, you and seven of your friends are invited to join winemaker Tony Lombardi in discovering the rugged beauty of the Frank Church Wilderness, a 2.3 million acreage nestled in the heart of central Idaho.
Along the way you’ll imbibe some of Tony’s most beloved cellar selects, including the very rare and extremely coveted Lombardi Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, a 60-bottle annual allotment not sold on the open market. This one-of-a-kind river experience accommodates eight guests and includes chartered airfare for your party in addition to food and wine pairings for all meals. Here, in the heart of the undiscovered American West, you’re guaranteed to find your highest self.
Opening Bid: $25,000 Value: $50,000
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Take this in...an all-inclusive luxury-ingredient-filled private dinner party for you and your ten closest friends in your home prepared by Michelin-trained chefs. This experience will include canapés and cocktails, a coursed dinner for 10, and wine pairing.
Truffle Shuffle founders, Jason, Tyler, and Sarah met while working together at The French Laundry and have taken their passion for cuisine and hospitality into the start-up world launching Truffle Shuffle in 2018. Truffle Shuffle is now backed by Shark Tank's Mark Cuban.
Opening Bid: $4,000
Value: $10,000
Final Sale Price: $24,000 X3 ($72,000). -
Embark on an unforgettable trip to Albany, Bahamas, with NetJets, our official sponsor for private jet airfare and the worldwide leader in private aviation. Eight guests will enjoy three nights at the oceanside luxury resort community located on the beautiful island of New Providence in The Bahamas. Combining inspired design, luxury amenities, warm hospitality, and a stunning natural landscape, Albany, Bahamas, is modern island living at its best.
Rated by Forbes as one of the most exclusive resorts in the world, Albany is a 600-acre oceanside luxury resort community located on the beautiful island of New Providence in The Bahamas. Albany and its rare collection of amenities provide an exceptional way for residents and visitors to enjoy the pleasures of island life. For families, businesspeople, and couples alike, Albany is a quiet island getaway, sportsperson’s paradise, elegant retreat and genuine community.
Opening Bid: $25,000 Value: $50,000 Final Sale Price: $60,000
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Whisk away to Carmel for a relaxing mid-week getaway for two. Stay two-nights at the elegant Carriage House Inn, tucked away on a quiet side street just south of Ocean Avenue. Enjoy lunch for two at the lodge at Pebble Beach with expansive views of the iconic 18th hole.
Treat yourselves to a romantic dinner at Anton & Michel Restaurant. And don’t forget the wine tasting! Visit Bernardus Wines for a Reserve Wine Tasting of five Bernardus Wines hand-selected by winemaker Dean De Korth. Drop in to Wrath Wines to pick up two bottles selected just for you. And last, but certainly not least, take home a case of Dahlkemper Farms olive oil.
Opening Bid: $1,300 Value: $2,600 Final Sale Price: $300,000
I’ve included that final “bonus lot” because it was, quite honestly, the most exciting lot I sold all year. Sometimes it isn’t the value of the lot, but the commitment of the bidders that creates excitement, and it serves as a good reminder that it isn’t just what you have to sell, but who you have to bid on it. So create exciting auction lots, and bring in the bidders to make that excitement happen.
