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How to Create Silent Auction Items

Learn how to add and configure your silent auction items.

How to Create an Auction Item

  1. From the Builder, click Silent & Live Auctions then Auction Items.
  2. Click Add Item in the top-right corner.



  3. Complete all required fields on the auction item. Hit Save and then Publish Changes:
    • Offering Type — Select Silent or Live. Live auction items only appear in the Live Auction Preview section, which can be added to your home page.
    • Item Visibility — Choose if your auction item is visible to donors or hidden.
    • Listing Name — The display name of your auction item.
    • Listing ID — A unique identifier for the item. Can be any combination of numbers, letters, and characters.
    • Bid Details — Set the starting bid and bid increment.
    • Monetary Value and Title — Enter the label that appears before the value, followed by the dollar amount (e.g., Valued At: $500).
    • Item Description — A description of the item. This description is also used in auction print-outs.
    • Images — Upload one or more images. Only the first image appears in the item preview and on auction print-outs.
    • Tags/Categories — Donors can use these to search and filter items. Type a tag and press Enter to create and assign it.
    • Buy Now Purchase Price — Sets a fixed price for bidders to purchase the item outright. Leave blank if this item is not eligible for Buy Now. 
    • Sponsors — Connect an existing sponsor to the item. Sponsors must be set up first under Auction Sponsors in the left menu.
    • Email Attachments — Attach e-gift cards or vouchers to be sent automatically to the winning bidder upon purchase.
    • Pickup Instructions — Any pickup details to include in the winner's confirmation email.
    • Additional Fees — Add a fixed or percentage-based fee to cover shipping or taxes. A note will be visible to donors when placing a bid.
    • Tax Receipts — Choose whether a tax receipt is sent automatically when the winning bid reaches 125% of the item value.

Please Note: Tax receipting must be enabled on your fundraiser for the automatic tax receipt feature to work.

Example of a Silent Auction Open for Bidding

Silent Auction Best Practices:

The following values are best practice for setting silent auction values.

  • Starting Bid: 40% of item value
  • Bid Increment: 10% of item value
  • Buy Now Price: 150% of item value
  • Overall Goal: Raise an additional 20% on the item value

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change an auction item from Silent to Live if the item has bids?

Yes, you can change the Offering Type from Silent to Live while your auction is open if the item has bids. The bids will remain when you switch the Offering Type and will be reflected in your Live Auction Preview section if not deleted manually.

Can I use the same tags across multiple items?

Yes -- tags are shared across all auction items. If you want to remove a tag entirely, you must remove it from every item it's assigned to.

What's the difference between silent and live auction items?

Silent auction items are available for open bidding on your fundraiser page. Live auction items are only surfaced in the Live Auction Preview section, which is designed for in-person or hosted live auction events.

How can I delete a tag?

To delete a tag, it must first be removed from all auction items -- it will then delete automatically.

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Need Help?

Did this answer your question? If not, please reach out to our Product Engagement Team via the blue chat icon or email support@trellis.org.