How do we get big items for a scholarship gala?

A scholarship gala needs a few headline items that draw attention and drive bidding. The advancement office doesn't have weeks to chase donated trips that may never materialize. Universities & Alumni Associations run polished events, and vendor friction slows everything down.

A scholarship gala at a university needs headline items that draw attention. Development offices and athletic departments know their audiences: alumni respond to bucket-list sports and travel. Experiences like bowl games, the Masters, or rivalry weekend trips get people talking and bidding. The advancement team runs polished events and has no patience for vendor friction. Donated trips can fall through, and chasing them takes time better spent on the cause.

Consignment fills those slots without risk. Browse over 140 travel and experience packages 60 to 90 days before the event. Reserve the ones that fit your audience. 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. A starting bid 15-20% above cost means the scholarship fund profits right away. You are not too late: items can be added the same day as your event.

This week, contact Giveback XP to choose experiences for your gala. You'll get a print-ready PDF for each package, complete with photos and details. After the gala, forward the winner information. Travel certificates reach winners in 3 to 5 business days. An in-house travel team handles all bookings, so a lean advancement staff can run a big auction without adding work.

Your scholarship gala has the headline items it needs. The money raised above the reserve goes directly to scholarships. Winners book their trips on their own timeline, with up to two years to travel on non-event experiences. Your team focuses on the event, not travel logistics.

Other questions about silent auctions for universities & alumni associations