15 silent auction alternatives you have never tried (yet!)

Silent auctions can be a great way to raise funds for your cause—especially since 24% of online donors give through auctions. 

But anyone who’s hosted a silent auction knows they come with challenges. Without the energy and motivation of a live auctioneer, a passive attendee experience can lead to lower bids. Plus, procuring event items can be both costly and time-consuming.

Because of these limitations, many nonprofits search for alternatives. Luckily, we’ve rounded up 15 alternative fundraising ideas you can use to replace the auction and still raise the funds your cause needs.

Skip the silent auction—15 alternative fundraising ideas to try instead

To help you get the best options, we've framed these alternatives as clear, actionable examples. Without further ado, here are 15 fundraising ideas to use instead of a silent auction:

1. Try a charity golf tourney instead of collecting sports memorabilia 🏌

Why sell signed sports gear when you can let supporters relive their glory days instead? As an alternative to a silent auction, run a charity golf tournament at the local course, and invite businesses to purchase different sponsorship packages. 

Golf tournaments naturally lend themselves to multiple sponsorship tiers (e.g., event sponsors, hole sponsors, refreshment sponsors). This multi-tier setup can increase overall revenue without needing to procure numerous donated items. 

You can also consider selling concessions, adding upsells (like VIP tickets or drink vouchers), or hosting a driving-range challenge to generate more revenue.

2. Try a staycation instead of auctioning off vacation packages 🌴

Instead of organizing high-ticket auctions for trips abroad, consider investing in your local community by hosting "staycation" events. Collaborate with local businesses to create engaging experiences that benefit both your nonprofit and the local economy. 

You could rent out a cafe and host an open mic night, take over a parking lot and create a drive-in movie theater, or organize a food truck festival where patrons can sample local vendors. Ideas like these will build a sense of community and engage supporters at the same time.

3. Try a pub crawl instead of giving away a wine tasting 🍺

Rather than auctioning off yet another bottle of fancy wine, create a lively fundraising experience by organizing a local pub crawl. Partner with neighborhood bars to prearrange exclusive drinks or specials at each stop, then sell tickets in advance to your supporters. 

You’ll boost community ties, support local businesses, and deliver a fun night your donors won’t soon forget.

4. Try a talent show instead of auctioning off front-row seats 🎤

Don't stop at sending just a few silent auction winners to a concert. Instead, invite all of your supporters backstage! Post a casting call to get all the stand-up comedians, karaoke pros, and air guitar players from your donor base into the spotlight. Ask board members to make up the judges' panel and decide on criteria for scoring each contestant. 

Competitors can pay to enter, attendees can purchase tickets, and sponsors can advertise at your event. Want to take this fundraiser up a notch? Livestream your event for virtual attendees—you can even save the recording to send out after the event so attendees can relive the magic.

5. Try a sweatgiving event instead of hunting for gift certificates 🏆

Local fitness studios are constantly asked to donate free classes or memberships for charity auction events. Instead of offering one workout experience to one supporter, why not share those endorphins with your entire list? Create a "sweatgiving" event where people pay a fixed amount (roughly $20) to enjoy a charity workout class. 

Want to take your #fitspo event to the next level? Invite local businesses to donate water, sports drinks, t-shirts, and raffle prizes for the participants.

6. Try a field day instead of bidding on sports tickets 🏐

Tickets to professional sporting events can be high-ticket items for silent auctions, but if you're like us, you’d rather be the one playing than sitting on the sidelines. 

Organize a field day to bring out a supporter's inner athlete, hosting sand volleyball tournaments, roller skating races, capture-the-flag tournaments, and tug-of-war competitions.

7. Try dressing up to give instead of dressing up to bid 👗

Let's be real: One of the best things about a silent auction is the opportunity to glam it up for an evening. Allow your donor base to don their best black-tie-optional attire for a nonprofit gala event that can be held online or virtually. 

Invite organization executives or volunteers to speak and share your mission and values with the public. This will inspire attendees to give generously rather than just place bids.

8. Try a paint and sip instead of auctioning off artwork 🎨 🍷

Sure, you could sell artwork to the highest bidder… Or you could allow supporters to create their own. 

Host a paint-and-sip event—a creative night out where donors enjoy guided painting sessions paired with wine. Sell tickets upfront, hire a local instructor (or even your neighborhood art teacher), and offer participants the joy of creating something memorable. 

This idea works just as well with activities like pottery, jewelry-making, or embroidery classes. It’s a fun, low-budget way to get your donors' creative juices (and glasses of wine!) flowing. 

9. Try a run to the finish line instead of running a silent auction 🏃

If you're dreading putting together your next silent auction, consider organizing a charity walk/run instead. 

There are limitless ways to add a twist to this classic fundraising idea: Let supporters run at their own pace, host a 24-hour team relay race, or create a theme and offer special incentives to those who dress up. 

💪 Pro tip: If you put on a relay race, leverage multi-team fundraising to raise money through peer-to-peer networks.

10. Try a hometown sidewalk day instead of soliciting gift baskets 🛍

While auction gift baskets are extremely popular items for donors to bid on, they can be a headache to piece together. To help streamline your efforts, host a "sidewalk day" in your hometown. 

Invite cafes, local artists, makers, and other creatives to sell their jewelry, food items, crafts, and housewares via tents and tables posted up on the sidewalk. Charge a nominal entrance fee (suggested: $5) that supporters can quickly pay via cash, credit card, Venmo, or text-to-donate at the gate.

11. Try out-fundraising instead of outbidding 💪

Silent auctions aren't the only way to spark friendly competition—team fundraising is a great alternative to raise more for your mission. 

Create a fundraising page where individuals can join an existing team or start their own. Keep the momentum going with a live leaderboard and play-by-play campaign updates. 

You could even partner with a local business or have a corporate sponsor donate a prize for the winning team—which is easier than asking for several items for silent auction baskets. The more excited the teams are to win—and the closer you get to your fundraising goal—the more likely they are to give again or recruit others.

12. Try multiple giving tiers instead of one naming opportunity 🧱

Everyone wants to make an impact that lasts, which is why naming opportunities tend to do so well at silent auctions. 

Give community members the chance to leave a legacy by setting up different giving tiers or donor packages. For example, rather than naming an entire building after a single individual, offer personalized bricks or plaques at different donation levels. 

This approach democratizes legacy-building and publicly celebrates the community driving your mission forward.

13. Try a restaurant fundraiser instead of setting the table for two 🍽

Instead of auctioning off one special night out, ask a local restaurant if they'd be willing to have a cause night where a portion of the night's proceeds go toward your nonprofit. 

The best part? This fundraiser benefits you and the restaurant involved by introducing each other to your existing networks.

14. Try a photo contest instead of auctioning off photography services 📸

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, imagine the value of a thousand pictures from your supporters. Host a social media photo contest and encourage followers to share snapshots tagging your organization. 

Announce the winners online or display their work at an art gallery event. Raise funds by charging supporters a fee for photo submissions, event entry, or voting on favorite images. 

Not only is this a fun, hands-on way to engage your supporters, but the extra mentions on social media will help raise awareness for your cause.

15. Try a cooking class instead of giving away goodie baskets 🥖

Give a supporter a basket, and they'll eat for a day—but teach them to make the world's best banana pancakes, and they'll remember you forever. 

Host a "cooking class for a cause" (in-person, virtual, or hybrid) where attendees learn new recipes while supporting your mission. The ticket price to attend can cover the cost of ingredients and offset other expenses. Between cooking lessons, chat about your mission and offer additional opportunities for donations.

Swap out the silent auction for another creative fundraising idea

Is a silent auction a good fit for some organizations? Of course. But before you start planning, determine if a silent auction is right for you. You may find that you'd rather trade in the bid sheets for a charity golf tournament, gala, 5K run/walk, or drive-in movie night.

No matter what kind of fundraising event you decide to run, Givebutter has all the free tools you need to sell tickets, invite supporters, promote your event on social media, and accept all payment types, including Venmo.

If you’re definitely set on hosting a silent auction, we’ve got good news! Givebutter is here to help you plan the silent auction you’ve always dreamed of.

Ready to see how Givebutter can help you raise more? Get started with your free account today.

FAQs about silent auction alternatives 

What can you do instead of a silent auction?

There are plenty of creative alternatives to silent auctions! This article outlines 15 fundraising ideas, including team fundraising, artwork auctions, golf events, pub crawls, staycations, and more.

What is the opposite of a silent auction?

The opposite of a silent auction is a live auction. In a live auction, bidders openly call out their bids in real time, often led by an auctioneer who facilitates the process, raises bid increments, and announces the winning bid. 

This contrasts with a silent auction, where bids are written down or submitted electronically without real-time competition.

Learn more

15 silent auction ideas and themes bidders will buzz about →

What differentiates an online silent auction from a regular silent auction?

An online silent auction allows donors to participate using auction management software. Instead of exploring items in a venue, participants can view auction items online and outbid one another from their computer or mobile device. 

More to explore

12 silent auction rules you need to know (+free guide!) →

What is the difference between a silent auction and a tricky tray?

A silent auction lets bidders write down their offers, with the highest bid winning when the event closes. It works best for high-value items and competitive fundraising at formal events.

A tricky tray (also known as a raffle) uses tickets. Participants place tickets in containers for items they want and winners are drawn randomly. It’s great for community events, encouraging broad participation with lower entry costs.