Take your silent auction beyond the live event in 2025

Online silent auctions have become one of the most effective ways to maximize fundraising potential by engaging both in-person and remote audiences simultaneously.

Whether you're hosting a gala, charity auction, school fundraiser, or community event, combining live and online participation ensures you can reach more donors, create unforgettable experiences, and raise more funds for your cause.

This guide will walk you through how to plan and run an effective live AND online fundraiser in 2025:
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🎯 How can a silent auction extend beyond an event ?

An online fundraiser brings together both in-person guests and remote supporters, making it easy for anyone to participate. Bidders can join from anywhere, helping to raise more funds and increase engagement. Combining an on-line and in-person fundraiser is often referred to as a 'hybrid event'.

By allowing people to take part from any location, it boosts the number of participants, leading to greater support and a bigger impact. Whether attending in person or online, everyone can get involved, creating a strong sense of community for the cause.‍

Key Benefits of an Online Auction for your Fundraising Event :

• Increased Reach: Engage a wider audience beyond your physical event.
• Greater Accessibility: Supporters can participate whether attending in person or virtually.
• Maximized Donations: Accept both online and offline donations seamlessly.

GalaBid makes running an online  fundraiser at your event simple by combining mobile fundraising tools, real-time reporting, and secure payment processing all in one platform.

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🗓️ Step 1: Define Your  Fundraising Goals

The first step in planning a successful hybrid fundraiser is setting clear objectives.

This means defining goals like how much money you want to raise, how many people you hope to reach, or how you plan to engage donors. Clear objectives give your event direction and help measure success. They also ensure both in-person and online experiences work together smoothly.

Without clear goals, planning can become scattered, making it harder to stay on track and use resources wisely. By setting clear objectives from the start, you can create a well-organized, effective fundraiser that makes a real impact.

Questions to Ask:

• What is your fundraising target?
• How many people would you like to engage (in-person + online =in total)
• Will you run a silent auction, raffle, or a combination of fundraising activities at your event ?
• What percentage of your audience will be virtual vs. in-person?

How GalaBid Helps:

• Customizable fundraising activities such as auctioneer led auctions, silent auctions, pledge drives and raffles.
• Real-time progress tracking to keep you focused on your goals.
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🎟️ Step 2: Set Up Ticketing

A successful fundraising event needs seamless ticketing that works smoothly with the fundraising platform used during the event. An integrated ticketing system makes it easy for guests to purchase tickets, check in, and participate in the fundraiser without delays or complications. It also helps organizers keep track of attendance, manage guest lists, and collect important donor information in one place.

When ticketing is connected to the fundraising platform, it allows for a better guest experience, making it simple for attendees to donate, bid in auctions, or participate in raffles without needing separate accounts or extra steps. This reduces confusion, saves time, and keeps the event running efficiently. A well-integrated ticketing system also provides valuable data, helping organizers understand donor behavior, improve future events, and maximize fundraising success.

Ticketing Best Practices:

• Offer separate ticket tiers (e.g. VIP, table tickets, or single or couples tickets, sponsor tickets).
• Include QR codes for contactless check-in.
• Bundle tickets with donation options.

How GalaBid Helps:

• Mobile-friendly ticketing pages with multiple pricing tiers.
• QR code check-in for faster entry.
• Instant confirmation emails for all ticket purchases.

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🎁 Step 3: Choose the Right Fundraising Activities

Fundraising events work best when they include a variety of activities to engage different audiences and accommodate all budgets. By offering multiple ways to participate, you create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their financial ability, can contribute to the cause.

For example, live auctions are a great way to encourage high-value bids by offering exclusive items or experiences, such as vacation packages, celebrity meet-and-greets, or one-of-a-kind artwork. Competitive bidding can create excitement and drive up donation amounts.

For those looking for a more affordable way to participate, raffles provide an easy entry point. Guests can purchase tickets for a chance to win prizes, such as gift baskets, restaurant vouchers, or tech gadgets, making fundraising accessible to a wider audience.

Another effective approach is a live donation drive, where an emcee or event host encourages attendees to contribute in real-time. This can be done through pledge cards, a live fundraising thermometer, or digital platforms that allow donors to make instant contributions. Seeing others donate can inspire more generosity and create a sense of community support.

By offering multiple fundraising opportunities, you maximize participation, keep guests engaged throughout the event, and ultimately raise more for your cause.

Popular Online Fundraising Activities:

• Silent Auctions: Allow online and in-person bidding with live updates.
• Raffles: Sell digital raffle tickets to both audiences. Seamless draw and alert winners whether they are in the room or at home.
• Live Donation Appeals: Run a live fundraising thermometer during speeches or presentations. Accept donations from the in room audience and beyond.

How GalaBid Helps:

• Mobile bidding tools for both in-person and virtual attendees.
• Automated raffle ticket sales and winner selection.
• Real-time leaderboards to encourage donor participation.
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📣 Step 4: Promote Your Online  Fundraiser Effectively

Marketing is essential for attracting both virtual and in-person participants to your fundraiser.

‍Email marketing keeps supporters informed with updates and reminders, while social media expands your reach through event pages, live videos, and shared posts. Printed flyers and direct mail help engage local audiences, and a fundraising website makes it easy for attendees to register and donate. Paid ads can further boost visibility. By using a mix of these strategies, you can reach more people, increase engagement, and maximize fundraising success.

Promotion Strategies:

• Send email invitations with direct links to the GalaBid event page.
• Share QR codes for easy ticket purchases on social media.
• Post event teasers and highlight key auction items online.

How GalaBid Helps:

• Shareable fundraising pages optimized for social media and email.
• Built-in social sharing buttons.
• Custom branding for consistent messaging across all channels.
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🎥 Step 5: Engage Both Audiences During the Event

The key to a successful fundraising event is keeping both virtual and in-person audiences engaged from start to finish. When participants feel involved and excited, they are more likely to donate and support your cause.

For in-person guests, live auctions create excitement by allowing people to bid on exclusive items or experiences. Interactive games, raffles, and live donation challenges also keep energy levels high and encourage giving. A charismatic host or emcee can help maintain enthusiasm and guide attendees through the event.

For virtual participants, live-streaming the event allows them to watch and engage from anywhere. Adding a real-time chat or comment section lets online guests interact, ask questions, and cheer on donations. Mobile bidding platforms (such as GalaBid) make it easy for virtual attendees to take part in auctions or raffles just like in-person guests.

Both audiences can stay connected through social media, where you can share live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and success milestones. A fundraising thermometer displayed at the event and online keeps everyone motivated by showing progress toward the goal.

By offering multiple ways to participate—whether through bidding, donating, or simply engaging in conversations—you ensure all attendees feel included, making the event more impactful and enjoyable for everyone.

Engagement Tips:

• Use live streaming to broadcast the event for virtual attendees.
• Display a real-time donation thermometer to show progress.
• Encourage mobile bidding for silent auctions and raffles.

How GalaBid Helps:

• Mobile bidding tools for remote participation.
• Live leaderboards displaying top donors and bids.
• Real-time notifications for new bids and donations.
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💳 Step 6: Simplify Donations and Payments

A smooth payment process is essential for maximizing donations.

Key Payment Features to Look For:

• Secure payment gateways with multiple options.
• Mobile-friendly payment forms for fast checkouts.
• Automated donor receipts for tax purposes.

How GalaBid Helps:

• PCI-compliant payment processing for secure transactions.
• Support for credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• Automated receipts for all donors.
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📊 Step 7: Monitor Event Performance with Real-Time Reporting

Tracking your fundraiser’s performance helps you make data-driven decisions during and after the event.

What to Track:

• Total funds raised
• Top-performing auction items
• Real-time bidding activity
• Ticket sales and donor participation

How GalaBid Helps:

• Real-time analytics dashboards to track donations and bidding activity.
• Exportable data reports for post-event analysis.
• Bid history tracking for auction insights.
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🙌 Step 8: Thank Your Donors and Follow Up

A successful hybrid fundraiser doesn’t end when the event is over. Follow up with your donors to maintain engagement and inspire long-term support.

Post-Event Best Practices:

• Send personalized thank-you emails to all attendees.
• Share the fundraising results on social media.
• Offer recurring donation options for ongoing support.

How GalaBid Helps:

• Schedule post-event thank-you messages.
• Exportable donor data for personalized follow-ups.
• Built-in tools to boost additional donations when the auction closes.
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🎯 Key Features That Make GalaBid Perfect for Event Fundraisers in 2025:

✅ All-in-One Fundraising Platform: Auctions, raffles, ticketing, and donations—all in one place.
✅ Mobile-Optimized: Perfect for both virtual and in-person audiences with mobile bidding and ticketing.
✅ Secure Payments: PCI-compliant processing with credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
✅ Real-Time Engagement: Live leaderboards, donation thermometers, and bid notifications.
✅ Custom Branding: Tailor your event page with logos, colors, and personalized messaging.
✅ Expert Support: Live chat support and campaign health checks to help you maximize results.
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📢 Conclusion: Run Your Best Fundraising Event  Yet with GalaBid

Running a fundraising event in 2025 has never been easier with GalaBid. From ticket sales and mobile bidding to real-time reporting and automated donor management, GalaBid provides everything you need to create a memorable and profitable fundraising event.

Ready to Raise More for Your Cause?

👉 We’re ready to help!

Empower your next hybrid fundraiser with GalaBid and maximize your impact!

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