Penny Auctions Canada - Charity Auctions Canada - Examples of how to organize charity auctions
Charity auctions are a powerful tool which can be used to raise an organization's profile, solicit new donors and express gratitude to volunteers. To get a charity auction going in Canada organizations often may hire a fundraising consultant or they may choose to do the job themselves, using their own staff and volunteer list.
Charities must be large enough to interest a large enough crowd for an auction and be able to issue tax receipts for Revenue Canada. But they are powerful fundraising vehicles and are among the most popular ways that Canadian charities raise funds.
A list of charities that use the charity auction way of raising much needed funds includes: Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Stage Company of Penetanguishene, Canadian Diabetes Association, Ronald McDonald House, and the Canadian Friends of Ohr Somayach of Thornhill.
Remarkably, the Canadian Friends of Ohr Somayach raised $50,000 at their charity auction at the Toronto Park Plaza Hotel. There were around 300 people in attendance. It goes without saying that they were pleased with the result.
Riviere des Prairies Hospital of Brossard, The Alzheimer Society of Sherbrooke, and Sainte Justine Hospital Foundation of Montreal manage their own charity auctions employing volunteers and staff. The Alzheimer Society raises close to $20,000 at its April charity auction. Thumbs up for charity auction fundraisers in Canada.
With the Alzheimer Society, six volunteers collect the articles that will go up for auction, put together a catalogue, sell the tickets and take care of all logistical needs. Also 20 volunteers work the auction night. The Society retains 60 per cent of the proceeds, while the remainder goes to those who contribute to the auction.