How do we fill our auction without competing with our grantees?

Your community foundation asks a local restaurant for a gift certificate. So does the food bank you fund. The restaurant owner feels caught. Your grantees wonder why you're in their lane. It's an uncomfortable position that erodes trust.

Community foundations and United Ways have broad donor bases and professional staff. You raise money for the whole community, often through annual celebrations, campaign kickoffs, or golf events with corporate tables. But when you need live auction items, the obvious source is the same local businesses your grantees ask. That puts you in direct competition with the nonprofits you exist to support.

Filling a live auction with travel and experience packages on consignment costs nothing upfront. You browse over 140 experiences, reserve what you like for free, and receive marketing materials. You only pay for an experience if it sells, keep 100% over the cost, and can sell experiences multiple times if the bidding gets hot. You are not too late: items can be added the same day as your event. The number of packages depends on your crowd and format; Giveback XP helps you get it right.

This week, look at experiences your donors love: sporting events like the US Open, regional adventures, or international trips to Italy. Choose a few that fit your annual celebration, campaign kickoff, or golf event. Reserve them with no risk. Giveback XP sends a 1-page PDF per experience and a marketing email with tips. You do not have to ask a single local business for anything.

Your live auction feels fresh. Grantees keep their relationships with local donors strong. No one is caught in the middle. The room buzzes as bidders go after the next trip. Your foundation raises more, and the nonprofits you fund get their turn with local generosity.

Other questions about live auctions for community foundations & United Ways