How do we get big items for a scholarship gala?

Universities and alumni associations often face this: a scholarship gala needs headline items, but donated travel experiences rarely materialize on time. The advancement staff is stretched thin, and waiting on vague promises puts the whole event at risk.

Securing big-ticket travel packages for a university gala is different from a small school auction. Alumni donors gravitate toward major sporting events: bowl games, the Masters, team travel weekends. But these experiences are rarely donated outright. Advancement offices need a guaranteed inventory of ready-to-list items, not a handful of unconfirmed leads. Without that, the auction falls short of the scholarship goal.

Consignment puts headline items on your block without risk. Browse over 150 experiences. Reserve at no charge. Set starting bids 15–20% above cost so scholarship money rolls in from the first bid. 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.

This week, contact Giveback XP to review travel experiences that fit a university crowd. Choose from bucket-list sports trips—bowl games, Masters badges, rivalry weekend getaways—or other premium packages. You will receive a one-page display PDF for each item, with photos and details, ready to insert in your event program. Reserve what you like at no cost. After the gala, send the winners' information; the travel team books everything, and you stay focused on scholarships.

After it's all set, your scholarship gala has several big-ticket items that draw competitive bidding. The advancement office didn't overwork to get them. Winners have up to two years to travel, so they plan on their schedule. Your team tallies the profit—all above the reserve—and directs it straight to student scholarships.

Other questions about online auctions for universities & alumni associations