Will our crowd bid on a big trip, or just the gift cards?

The worry makes sense. Your donors support you because they care about kids, not because they are looking for a vacation. But at events for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs, travel and live-event packages consistently pull the highest bids. It only takes two interested tables to start a real contest. And the items that do well are not random. Major sporting events like the Kentucky Derby and Formula 1, private villas in Italy or Costa Rica, and regional experiences get attention because they feel like a rare opportunity, not another donation ask.

Cost is not a barrier to testing this. You browse over 140 experiences and reserve what fits your room, at no upfront cost. 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 recommended starting bid is 15 to 20 percent above cost, so you make money from the first bid. If a package does not sell, you owe nothing for it.

This week, pick two or three experiences that match what your board and donors talk about. Major sports, international villas, or a regional getaway often fit. Reserve them through Giveback XP and get the marketing materials for your event. The same local businesses get asked for donations by every group in town, so consignment packages fill your auction without another ask. You risk nothing by putting them on the table.

Your silent auction table looks full and varied. A trip package draws eyes and starts conversations. The small stuff still sells, and now you have something bigger that two bidders can fight over. The room feels lively, and your cause gets the profit.