The Harvest Auction is made possible by the creativity and generosity of our community. Whether you have an item to share, an experience to offer, or a talent others might enjoy, there are lots of ways to participate.
What Can I Donate?
Almost anything that will make a good Auction offering! Some possibilities include:
- Dinners, parties, outings, and other experiences
- Lessons, services, or skills you can share
- Lottery tickets for the Lottery Tree
- Tickets to concerts, sporting events, or performances
- Vacation homes and weekend getaways
- Gift cards and certificates
- Themed baskets and collections
- Handcrafted items, artwork, and homemade treats
- Beer or Wine for the for the Beverage Pull
Some of our most popular donations don’t come from a store at all. They come from the interests, talents, and creativity of people in our congregation.
Bring Back a Favorite
Did you donate a popular dinner, outing, service, or other offering in a previous Auction? You don’t have to come up with something new every year! Popular donations are welcome back, and the Auction Team may even have your description from a previous Auction to help make submitting it easier.
Need Some Inspiration?
Not sure what to offer? We’ve gathered ideas from previous Auctions and other sources to help get you started:
Ideas & Inspiration for Auction Donations
Ready to Donate?
It takes just a few minutes to submit your donation online.
Using the Donation Form
The online form gives the Auction Team the information we need to prepare your donation. We’ll ask for:
- Your name and contact information
- A name and brief description for your donation
- The number available, if you’re offering more than one
- The date and number of seats, if you’re hosting an event
- Your estimate of the donation’s value
- Any special instructions or restrictions we should know about
Donating More Than One—or Offering an Event?
If you’re donating several of the same item, tell us how many are available. For a dinner, outing, class, or other event, tell us how many people can participate and the value of one seat. For multiple tickets, give us the value of one ticket.
How Do I Determine the Value?
Give us your best estimate of what the item, service, or experience is worth. For something purchased, that may simply be its retail price. For something handmade, a service, or an experience, use the value that seems reasonable to you. It doesn’t need to be exact.
Donation FAQs
Is the value I enter the starting bid?
No. The value helps the Auction Team understand your donation and prepare it for the Auction. The Auction Team sets the starting bid.
What if I don’t want my donation to go for less than a certain amount?
Tell us the minimum amount you’re comfortable accepting. The Auction no longer uses hidden reserve amounts—an undisclosed amount that bidding had to reach before an item could be won. Reserves sometimes cause confusion and disappointment when the highest bidder discovered that their bid had not met a reserve they didn’t know about. Instead, when a donor requests a minimum amount, we’ll list it as the minimum bid. That way, everyone knows from the beginning.
Will my donation be offered exactly as I submit it?
Usually, but the Auction Team may make some adjustments as we prepare donations for the Auction. Donation descriptions may be edited for clarity, length, and consistency in the Auction catalog. The Auction Team may also combine related items into a basket, set, or collection, or divide a donation into more than one offering when appropriate. Our goal is to present each donation clearly and in a way that is appealing to bidders while making the most of everyone’s generosity.
Are there items that aren’t a good fit for the Auction?
Yes. The Harvest Auction works best for items that have particular appeal or make a distinctive Auction offering. General used household goods, clothing, books, used sporting equipment, and similar items are usually better suited to UUCC’s Freecycle events, where they can find a new home without needing to attract an Auction bid. If you’re not sure whether something is a good fit for the Auction, please ask us: auctionteam@uucleveland.org. We’re happy to help.