FUNDRAISING
Online Silent Auctions
Raise money at your state conference, golf tournament or banquet — or run the whole auction online — with phone bidding and no platform or card fees.
POWERED BY ZEFFY
Free auction software built for non-profits
We run association auctions on Zeffy, a fundraising platform made for non-profits. Here's what it gives your association:
Every winning bid goes to you
No platform, add-on, transaction or credit-card fees. Zeffy is funded by optional tips from supporters, so the full winning bid goes to your association.
Bid from any phone
Bidders scan a QR code or open a link and bid from their phone — no app to download and no account to create. Works for in-person, online-only or hybrid auctions.
Smart bidding rules
Set a starting bid and minimum increment for each item. Bidders can set a maximum and let the system bid for them, and late bids extend the closing time so no one gets sniped.
Outbid alerts and reminders
Bidders get email and text alerts when they're outbid, plus a reminder before bidding closes — which keeps the bids coming.
Automatic checkout
Winning bids are charged automatically when the auction closes, by credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and winners get an emailed receipt. No checkout line at the end of the night.
Real-time tracking
Watch bids and totals live, see which items haven't sold, pull winner contact details, and export itemized payments for your records. Cash or offline bids can be recorded too.
Branded item pages
Each item gets its own listing with photos, a description, the current high bid and bidding history, plus pickup or delivery details. The auction page carries your association's logo, colors and banner.
Easy to promote
Share one link by email, newsletter and social media, and put the QR code on table tents, programs and the big screen at your event. Open and close times are set ahead, and items can be loaded before bidding opens.
HOW WE HELP
From donated items to dollars raised
John Harris LLC plans and runs the auction alongside your committee, using what we've learned from Guard association conferences and fundraisers.
- 1Line up the itemsBuild a wish list your members will bid on, then ask corporate partners, local businesses and past supporters to donate. Aim for enough items to keep bidding competitive, not so many that bids are spread thin.
- 2Price them rightA common rule of thumb is opening bids around 30–40% of an item's fair market value, with increments of roughly 10–15%, and an optional buy-it-now price for big-ticket items.
- 3Build the auctionLoad every item with photos, values and pickup details, brand the page, and set the open and close times around your event schedule.
- 4Promote it earlyTease featured items weeks ahead through email and social media, then display QR codes and item cards at the event to drive bidding.
- 5Close, deliver and thankWinners are charged automatically; hand off items on site or arrange delivery, then thank item donors and bidders and share what the auction raised.
GOOD TO KNOW
Notes for your treasurer
- A winning bidder can generally deduct only the amount paid above the item's fair market value, so list each item's value in its description.
- When a payment is partly a gift and exceeds $75, the IRS requires the non-profit to give the payer a written statement of the deductible amount. Your auction receipts should cover this.
- Track donated items and their values, and thank item donors in writing. Rules differ for business and individual donors, so confirm details with your tax preparer.
Ready to plan your next auction?
Let's talk about your event, your items and your fundraising goal.