Where do we get auction items when our congregation can’t donate big-ticket things?

Most church auctions rely on what members can hand over. That works for baked goods and gift cards. It falls short when you need live auction items that get paddles up. Your room knows each other and trusts your event. They will bid on trips to top sporting events, wine country, and bourbon trails. But those do not come from the congregation.

There is no upfront cost. You browse over 140 experiences and reserve what fits your crowd. 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. A recommended starting bid is 15-20% above cost, so you profit from the first raise.

This week, pick a few travel packages that match what your crowd loves: golf, college football, NCAA basketball, wine or bourbon trips. Show the one-page PDFs to your pastor or committee. The terms are simple enough for fast sign-off. Giveback XP helps you fine tune how many to reserve based on your audience size.

Your live auction gets real travel packages without asking anyone in the congregation for a thing. Nothing is owed if an item does not sell. Winners get two years to book, and a travel team handles all the details. Your committee runs the night and keeps the profit.