2025 was an interesting year for fundraising, and for life in general. We all had to do a lot of learning and growing, so this year I’m letting go of the need to restrict this list to just 10 exciting auction lots. Because there were a lot of really exciting auction lots last year, and narrowing the list down to “just” 14 took some doing.
2025 saw auction committees get creative and come up with inventive and compelling auction packages. This definition of “exciting” is arbitrary, and for me exciting is a representation of a lot’s uniqueness, creativity, and the buzz generated at the event. How much a lot sells for can be a factor, but not the most important one. What’s more important is how many people bid on a lot, and the energy of the crowd - the buzz in the room.
Each example below includes a short explanation of how that lot impacted its event, or the results it achieved, or even why it is relevant.
Any client who works with me knows I am a champion of low-cost/highly desirable warm-up auction lots to engage the crowd and build momentum. This year’s first lot is a great new example of that:
Raise the Bar with This Exclusive Experience + UBER Ride home!
Transform your evening with a stunning, fully stocked bar cart that’s yours to take home! It comes loaded with premium spirits, mixers, and professional bar tools—everything you need to host the ultimate cocktail hour. But the fun doesn’t stop there! The winner of this package (and their table!) will also enjoy the luxury of a personal bartender for the remainder of the auction. Sit back, relax, and sip custom-crafted cocktails as your table becomes the envy of the room. Cheers to an unforgettable night!
Lot Includes:
• Fully stocked bar cart
• Private bartender for the remainder of evening
Opening Bid: $500 Sale Price: $3,200
[This was a new direction for an auction that has had the “chilled large format champagne opened for your table” opening auction lot for years. The bidding was hot. During the rest of the auction, the bar cart winning bidder went around to the tables near him offering them cocktails an encouraging them to bid more.]
Luxury Living on Lake Como x $10k Challenge Grant
Indulge in the ultimate Italian getaway with a 7-day, 6-night stay on the serene shores of Lake Como. Located just a 10-minute drive from George Clooney’s renowned villa, this stunning property offers an unrivaled blend of elegance and relaxation.
Your home away from home features four beautifully appointed bedrooms and five luxurious bathrooms, comfortably accommodating up to eight guests. Whether lounging on the villa’s terrace or exploring the timeless charm of the surrounding towns, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking views and serene ambiance of this world-famous destination.
Create cherished memories with family or friends in one of Italy’s most iconic settings. Buon viaggio!
Lot Includes:
• 7-day, 6-night stay on the serene shores of Lake Como
Opening Bid: $2,500 Value: $5,000 Sold: $10,000 x 3 + $10,000 challenge grant
[The person who donated this lot had also donated it to another organization in the community, and was disappointed with the sale price. We wanted to ensure it sold well, especially since the donor hinted at being willing to sell multiples if it did. We had another donor who was donating cash, and wanted to see it used creatively – so we applied a $10,000 challenge grant to the sale price of this lot. It worked! We had three people bid $10,000 or more, the owner of the Lake Como house was thrilled, and the cash donor was thrilled.]
The Hottest Ticket in North Bay Sports
The WNBA has come to the Bay! And now, thanks to DONOR, four people get to check out the Golden State Valkyries as they take on the hottest team in the WNBA: The Indiana Fever. Sunday, August 31st, make your way to Chase Center, where you’ll have four premium seats to watch the Valks take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
Opening Bid: $3,000 Value: $5,000
[The Golden State Valkyries are the newest sports team in the Bay Area, and their home games were the hottest tickets in 2025. Valks packages garnered more bids and interest than every Bay Area team except the 49’ers. And if you can get your hands on one of those Inaugural Season Letterman’s jackets, all the better!]
Little Wishes Labubu Package
This package includes: One mystery Labubu; a chair for the Labubu that also clips to your dashboard vents; a working scooter for the Labubu, and a wardrobe for the Labubu, including a custom made sweater with the Little Wishes logo on it.
Opening bid: $150 Sold for $2,800
[This Labubu package was initially in the silent auction, with a Buy It Now price of $500. One bidder entered the BIN price, and then brought it to our attention that this was way too low, *and* they agreed to let the bidding continue. We moved it to the live auction, and used it as the introductory lot, where it generated a ton of excitement, and sold for $2,800.]
Neil Dahl: Ready, set… sparkle!
Neil Dahl Jewelers – longtime supporter of ORGANIZATION – has the exact piece you’ve been looking for. He knows, because he is giving you the opportunity to pick it out yourself. Sure, you’ll only have 60 seconds to shop the showroom and pick your piece! Sure, Neil is going to curate the showroom so everything is in the $15,000 range. But you get to live out your wildest “raid the jewelry store” fantasies. In full view of everyone! To take home the piece that is perfect for YOU!
And once the bidding is over, if you want to increase the value of the piece you pick, Neil is always willing to chat…
Lot includes: Private appointment to visit the showroom and spend 60 seconds or less selecting one piece of jewelry from a curated collection valued around $15,000.
Opening Bid: $5,000 Value: $15,000
[Neil Dahl jewelers has been a longtime supporter of this organization and event. In 2024, their donation did not exceed retail, but they still wanted to support the cause. They were thrilled with the “60 Seconds to Shop” idea, and so was the crowd the night-of. This auction lot generated a lot of interest pre-event, and bidding the night-of.]
Top Secret Tasting: Ju-Ni All to Yourself
Ten people enjoy an intimate culinary experience at Ju-Ni, the Michelin Star Masterpiece that has held a star for five years running. You’ll have the entire restaurant to yourselves to enjoy a 14-course Omakase experience.
Every ingredient is meticulously sourced from the best purveyors in the world: 90% of their fish comes from the world famous Toyosu Market in Japan! Paired with two bottles of Gold Dragon Daiginjo Sake.
Opening Bid: $2,500 Value: $5,000
[Just a reminder that dining experiences remain one of the hottest categories in a live auction. And nothing is more enticing than getting to take over a hard-to-get restaurant for an entire meal.]
Utah: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary & Stargazing Domes
Discover the beauty of the Southwest while connecting with animals in need. Your journey for two begins at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, this national leader in animal welfare is home to more than 1,600 animals. The sanctuary is located in the majestic red-rock country of southern Utah, just outside the town of Kanab. You’ll tour the grounds, learn about the sanctuary’s inspiring history, and even volunteer to take a dog on a canyon hike.
Then, experience the wonders of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks with your included park pass. Explore towering sandstone canyon walls of Zion as you adventure down legendary hiking trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows. In Bryce, you’ll take in the surreal landscape of its colorful hoodoo rock formations. You’ll also experience a guided tour through Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
Your adventure continues under the stars at Clear Sky Resorts, where you’ll spend three nights in a luxury sky dome. With panoramic views, epic stargazing, and a guided telescope tour, you’ll experience Utah’s desert skies like never before.
package includes:
• Two-night stay at the Roadhouse and Mercantile, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s pet-centric hotel
• Guided tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and volunteer opportunities
• National Park passes for Zion and Bryce Canyon and guided tour through Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
• Three-night stay in a “Lil Dipper” Sky Dome at Clear Sky Resorts
• Stargazing adventure with high-powered telescope
Opening Bid: $2,500 Value: $4,500
[In an auction for a Humane Society event, this package offered a nice organization-facing angle to a trip to Southern Utah. The opportunity to learn about and visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary tied into the mission of the Humane Society. Paired with the Sky Dome stay, it made for a truly unique and relevant lot.]
A Weekend of Elegance for Two
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity invites you to Napa Valley for an extraordinary experience featuring the legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli. Performing exclusively at the iconic Charles Krug Winery—Napa’s oldest winery, owned by the Peter Mondavi Sr. family for five generations—this event promises an evening of pure magic under the setting sun.
Your Premiere VIP Experience at the Bocelli concert is just the beginning. Your hotel room is reserved as well, with a one-night stay for two guests at Harvest Inn in St. Helena in a Vineyard View Collection Spa room with a king-size bed, wood burning fireplace and panoramic views of vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains, offering the perfect opportunity to escape from it all while in the heart of Napa Valley.
Enjoy a Private Tasting Experience for two with Selah Wines Proprietor, Joe Blanton, 13-year MLB Pitcher and 2-time World Series Champion…and also receive a signed baseball from Joe.
Experience another Private Tasting and your choice of lunch or dinner for two with Red Cap Vineyards Proprietor, Christopher Klein
This unparalleled package offers an indulgent celebration of world-class music, exceptional dining, and boutique tasting experiences with hidden gems of Howell Mountain, designed to leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Plus, relive the magic and make more memories with family and friends when you uncork an array of world-class wines from Mondavi Sisters’ Collection, Aloft Wine, Dark Matter Wine, Charles Krug Winery, Red Cap Vineyards and Selah Wines.
Opening Bid: $9,900
[Andrea Bocelli and the Mondavi Family in Napa made for an incredible experience! It is also worth noting that the hotel room was already reserved, and would be transferred to the winning bidder’s name. When selling a date-specific package, try to get the hotel is confirmed for those dates.]
The Best of Italy
In one of the auction’s most exquisite lots, four guests will join Shari and Garen Staglin for a staggering seven days among the best Italy has to offer.
GEMS OF MILAN Your trip begins with a luxurious two-night stay at the five-star Portrait Hotel in Milan. During your time in Milan, you’ll explore priceless cultural gems, including behind-the-scenes tours of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and the La Scala Opera as well as a private presentation of Pomellato’s lustrous jewelry creations within their exceptional new showroom.
PURE PIEDMONT From Milan, you’ll venture into Italy’s wine capital of Piedmont for a three-night stay in Relais Le Rocche, a five-star property with breathtaking views. Led by globally renowned wine educator and sommelier DLynn Proctor, you’ll experience the best of Barolo and Barbaresco and meet the region’s finest producers.
A trip to Piedmont must include remarkable cuisine, including white truffles (in the late fall season). We will arrange a truffle excursion, weather and season permitting, and regardless will enjoy lunches and dinners accompanied by library wines of the region.
MADE IN MODENA On day six, you’ll depart for the Maserati factory in Modena, where company executives will guide you through one of their most advanced production facilities. Lunch will be at the Panini Museum, home to Maserati’s original factory collection of race cars and one of the finest producers of Parmigianino Reggiano organic cheese. You will also visit the Modenese, the 15 families who hand craft the finest balsamic vinegar in the world.
More than just a trip, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore historic sites and experience Italy like few others can.
Opening Bid: $75,000 Sold for $220,000
[Garen and Shari Staglin are legendary Napa Vintners with deep ties to Italian winemaking. They have been long time supporters of this event, and were the Honorary Vintners in 2025. They wanted to offer a special lot that reflected their commitment to the cause, and the opportunity to spend a week touring Italy with them is incredibly unique, valuable and rare. Emphasis on rare: do not call the Staglins telling them I sent you!]
Evening with the Otters
Dive into an unforgettable evening at the High Desert Museum, after hours and up close with our most playful and beloved residents: the river otters! This special night includes exclusive access to the Autzen Otter Exhibit, where you’ll have the rare chance to watch a training demonstration, learn about otter care and conservation, and even help feed the otters alongside their dedicated wildlife keepers.
The experience doesn’t stop there. Enjoy a scenic outdoor setting with gourmet hors d’oeuvres and drinks, the soothing sounds of a live cellist, and plenty of time to mingle and explore the exhibit in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Whether you're an animal lover, date-night dreamer, or looking for a unique gift, this magical evening blends wildlife education with elegance and joy. Buy-it-now for $1,000 per pair. Limited to 10 couples. Don’t miss your chance to make a splash!
[Did you note that this buy-in had a set price? It meant we could not increase the price if there were more than 10 interested couples (my fault, I didn’t communicate the need for “opening bid” vs. “buy-it-now price” on any buy-in package). We discussed this after the catalog had gone to print, and agreed that if there were more than 10 couples interested, we’d add a second date. We had a second slide ready to go, just in case, and sold 20! Dr Whitelaw, the ED of the High Desert Museum, said she’d rather have 20 happy couples visiting the museum after hours – an approach and attitude that their crowd appreciated and responded well to.]
PICKLE AND PIZZA FOR FOUR
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and here’s your chance to learn the game or improve your skills with private coaching plus dinner at resort-styled private home courts in Thousand Oaks. Enjoy Mike and Conni’s amazing outdoor space with two pickleball courts and dining patio. Receive personalized instruction from Coach Miguel Enciso—PPR Certified Teacher, Head Pickleball Pro at Sherwood Country Club and Pickleball Director at Westlake Athletic Club. For your pickleball experience, equipment will be provided. Gourmet pizza dinner incudes wine and appetizers. Available on Sunday, March 1, at 3:00 pm, dinner at 5:00 pm. We brought this back, because last year’s winners had so much fun!
OPENING BID $800
[Pickleball has been a growing trend in fundraising auctions for a decade now, and continues to be incredibly popular. This lot featuring a well-loved couple from within the community scored big with their crowd.]
The Georgia O’Keeffe Abiquiu Escape: Art, Culture & Cuisine for Two
Enjoy a two-night stay at the charming Abiquiu Inn, including breakfast each morning and a dinner for two at the inn. This package also features an exclusive VIP, behind the scenes tour of the Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio. Explore the iconic painter’s inner world and learn all about why O’Keefe’s house is different than the “typical” New Mexico house. See the studio where she painted her iconic landscapes & more.
Also included is dinner for two at NOSA, where the menu changes with the seasons. Making this a complete Santa Fe cultural and culinary escape. Package is for two people.
Opening Bid: $350 Value: $750
[When most Georgia O’Keeffe fans visit Santa Fe, they only go to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum downtown. Her home is an hour away from Santa Fe and isn’t always open to the public, which made this lot exciting for an auction IN SANTA FE!]
A Journey Through Heritage: A Personal Kaiseki Experience
6 people enjoy an incredible evening of the freshest, fine food in the most exclusive setting: your house! Linda and Albert will come to you, bring everything they need to wow your tastebuds and overwhelm your senses, including Albert’s inimitable expertise. He learned from his mom, who grew up in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan. They will prepare a twelve-course Japanese Kaiseki dinner, utilizing Japanese A5 Wagyu beef, fresh fish flown in from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, and rarely exported Niigata rice & other seasonal ingredients. The entire meal will be 100% homemade! Linda made the bread! All paired with Premium wines and rare Japanese sake!
Opening Bid: $1,200 Value: $1,000
[This was a school auction, and the parents donating this lot were worried that no-one would understand what they were offering. So they put together a collection of hors d’oeuvres-sized samples of what the dinner would be and passed them out during the cocktail hour at the auction. That level of commitment, and the deliciousness of the dishes, generated a lot of bidding.]
Whisk Away on your PJ for an Unforgettable Weekend with CJ in DC
Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blends the thrill of NBA game day with the elegance of fine wine and unforgettable hospitality. This exclusive package for four (4) guests for two (2) nights offers the rare opportunity to spend an evening with NBA star and wine entrepreneur CJ McCollum and his wife, Dr. Elise McCollum, in Washington, D.C.
Known for his precision on the court and passion in the vineyard, CJ brings both worlds together for an extraordinary insider experience. From private jet travel to an NBA game to an intimate dinner shared with the McCollums, this is the ultimate courtside-to-cellar celebration of excellence, friendship, and flavor.
Insider Information: This package is for four (4) guests and can be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date during this NBA season or the next.
—Round-trip private airfare on a Citation Bravo for four (4) guests to Washington, D.C., provided by Southern Sky Aviation
—Two (2) nights of hotel accommodations for four (4) guests at the Riggs Hotel, offering timeless style and exceptional comfort in the heart of the city.
—Four (4) premium tickets to an NBA home game in Washington, D.C., where CJ is playing, including an exclusive meet-and-greet with CJ before or after the game.
—An unforgettable evening at one of the McCollums’ favorite D.C. restaurants, complete with dinner for four (4) paired with McCollum Heritage 91 wines and rare bottles from CJ’s personal cellar.
—A mixed case of McCollum Heritage 91 wines, featuring elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
—A signed large-format bottle of MH91 Pinot Noir and a signed basketball
Opening Bid: $15,000 Value: $30,000
[This lot is a wonderful example of high-level insider access, VIP experience, and the opportunity to build a relationship with a super star. The only way this lot could have sold for more is if CJ was on stage to help pitch it, but he had a game!]
Campfire Memories: A Private Weekend at Camp for 10
Reconnect, reminisce, and relive the magic of camp with this once-in-a-lifetime private weekend getaway for 10 guests! From Friday evening through early Sunday afternoon, you'll enjoy exclusive access to select areas of camp, combining nostalgia with luxury.
Highlights of this unforgettable experience include:
● Chef-prepared meals for all 10 guests
● Carefully paired bottles of red and white wine to complement your evening meal(s)
● Access to beloved Camp activities like trail rides and the rifle and archery range
● Comfortable lodging in the recently built and air-conditioned, Cooks Cabin for 10 guests (or a campsite of your choice)
Whether you're gathering old friends or creating new memories with family, this unique opportunity to take over camp for a weekend is guaranteed to stir up stories, laughter, and a little adventure.
Opening Bid $2,000
[This lot was 100% mission-focused, as the auction was raising money for the Boy Scouts Camp offered in the lot. Most of the men in the room had attended the camp in their youth, and this lot generated much excitement. This isn’t to say you should have a Boy Scouts camp in your next auction, but you should tie your mission directly to an auction lot when possible.]
Butchery Class at Avedano’s Holly Park Market
Angela Wilson invites one person to Avedano’s Holly Park Market, San Francisco’s finest butcher shop. Angela and her team focus on sustainability over convenience, utilizing sustainable, locally sourced meats, and practice whole animal butchery w/zero waste mentality.
Angela herself will welcome you in, set you up with cutlery kept sharp by Bernal Cutlery, and then teach you art and science of breaking down a whole lamb or half hog into kitchen-ready cuts. You will saw, you will debone, you will tie roasts. And in the end, you’ll take home $150 in meats.
Opening Bid: $150 Value: $350
[This final package is a reminder that a lot doesn’t have to be conventional or expensive to generate excitement. I thought this butchery class was going to be challenging, and instead it was one of the hottest lots of the night.]
