Charity auctions are wonderful events that bring communities together to support noble causes. However, ensuring safe and secure payments is crucial to maintaining the trust and integrity of these events. Here are some simple yet effective tips to ensure that your transactions at charity auctions in Perth are smooth and secure.

Offer Flexible Payment Options

If you are planning charity auctions, you must thoroughly understand the accepted payment methods. Whether it’s cash, credit/debit cards or electronic transfers, clarity on accepted modes of payment ensures smooth transactions and minimises confusion for both you as an organiser and the attendees.

Furthermore, provide donors with flexible payment options to accommodate their preferences and convenience. Offer multiple payment methods, including mobile payments and online platforms, to facilitate seamless transactions. Ensure that your payment processing systems are user-friendly, accessible and compatible with a variety of devices and operating systems.

Invest in Secure Payment Solutions

Why do you need to prioritise the integration of secure payment solutions for your charity auctions in Perth? Safeguarding donor information is paramount for several reasons:

 

• Respecting Privacy: Donors entrust you with personal and financial details. Safeguarding this information demonstrates respect for their privacy rights and ensures that their sensitive data is handled with care and confidentiality.

 

• Building Trust: Donors are more likely to support organisations that prioritise the security of their information. By implementing robust data protection measures, you build trust and credibility with donors, establishing long-term relationships and encouraging continued support.

 

• Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft: Donor information, such as credit card numbers and contact details, can be targeted by cybercriminals for fraudulent activities and identity theft. Safeguarding donor data helps mitigate these risks and protects donors from financial harm and identity theft.

 

• Compliance with Regulations: Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the collection, storage and use of personal data. You must adhere to these regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the Privacy Act in Australia, to avoid legal repercussions and penalties.

 

• Maintaining Reputation: A data breach or mishandling of donor information can severely damage your reputation. Prioritising data security and safeguarding donor information help you protect your brand reputation and maintain the trust and confidence of stakeholders.

 

• Enhancing Donor Experience: Donors expect a seamless and secure donation experience. By safeguarding their information, you ensure that donors feel confident and comfortable when making contributions, which enhances their overall donor satisfaction and loyalty.

To secure donor information and payment data against unauthorised access, disclosure or misuse, consider Implementing robust data security measures, including encryption, firewalls and secure payment gateways. Also, comply with data protection regulations and industry standards to uphold donor trust and confidentiality.

Seek Expert Guidance

Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from experts in payment security and event management. Engage with professionals who specialise in charity auctions in Perth like us at the Helping Hand Group to ensure that your payment systems are robust and compliant with relevant regulations. Expert advice can help preempt potential risks and ensure a seamless payment experience.

Educate Your Team and Volunteers

Educate your team and volunteers about the importance of safe and secure payments. Provide training sessions on identifying suspicious activities, handling payment terminals securely and adhering to data protection guidelines. Empowering your team with knowledge enhances vigilance and strengthens overall security measures.

Embrace Contactless Payment Solutions

In this digital age, consider integrating contactless payment solutions to enhance convenience and safety at your charity auction. Contactless methods, such as tap-and-go or mobile payments, minimise physical contact and reduce the risk of transmitting germs or viruses. Embracing modern payment technologies also demonstrates your commitment to attendee well-being.

Conduct Regular Security Assessments

Regularly assess the security of your payment systems and processes to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate potential risks. Collaborate with IT professionals to conduct thorough security audits and implement necessary updates or enhancements. Proactive monitoring and evaluation help maintain the integrity of your payment infrastructure.

Partner with Reputable Service Providers

Collaborate with reputable service providers for payment processing and event management services. Choose vendors with a proven track record of reliability, security and customer satisfaction. Partnering with trusted providers instils confidence in your donors and reinforces your commitment to transparency and accountability.

Prioritise Compliance and Transparency

Prioritising compliance and transparency strengthens donor trust and reinforces your organisation’s credibility. So consider adhering to all relevant legal and regulatory requirements governing payment processing and fundraising activities. Maintain transparent communication with donors regarding transaction fees, refund policies and financial accountability measures. 

Helping Hand Group: Your Partner in Secure Charity Auctions

At Helping Hand Group, we understand the importance of safe and secure payments for charity auctions. As experts in event management and fundraising, we offer comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs. From secure payment processing to strategic planning, trust us to safeguard the financial integrity of your charity auctions in Perth while maximising its impact. Contact us today to learn how we can support your charitable endeavours with confidence and peace of mind.

Charity auctions are incredible events that raise a lot of money for important causes. They have the power to significantly impact society at large or in individual cases where money plays a crucial role. Charity is made easy through these events, where people enjoy a night of joy whilst raising money to solve a more significant problem.

You may have many thoughts in your mind. Can I bid for charity items at any price? How does the auction proceed? And, are charity auction items tax deductible? Read on to learn more about these questions.

What Is A Charity Auction?

A charity auction involves auctioning off items of interest at inflated prices in order to raise funds for a good cause. The profits obtained from the auction are donated to a predetermined charity with a social cause. Charity auctions are beneficial as they motivate more people to donate in return for their items of interest.

But what is the limit on bidding? What exactly does ‘reserve price’ mean? And are charity auction items tax deductible? As you read, you will find answers to all these questions and more about charity auctions. These answers will help you plan a charity auction better.

How Much Can You Bid?

The reserve price is the lowest price at which the auction items can be purchased. You can bid for anything higher than the reserve price at a charity auction. The auction proceeds by quoting a base price, with bidders raising the value by a fixed price whilst lifting their paddle.

The auctioneer keeps track of the price and subsequent raises. A three-count hammer strike alerts other bidders of the last opportunity to bid if they wish to buy the item. With the final strike, the item is sold to the highest bidder at the last quoted price. Only bid on prices you can afford to pay. In cases of inability to pay, the offer transfers to the next highest bidder for purchase at their quoted price.

What Are the Tax Laws Around Charity Auction Items?

So, are charity auction items tax deductible? 

In Australia, the tax deductibility of charity auction items depends on the specific item and the circumstances under which it was donated. Generally speaking, donations made to a deductible gift recipient (DGR) organization, such as a registered charity, are tax-deductible for the donor. However, there are certain restrictions and requirements that must be met for a donation to be tax-deductible, including that the donation must be made to a DGR and that the donor must have received no material benefit or advantage in return for the donation.

In the case of charity auction items, the tax deductibility would depend on whether the item was donated by the manufacturer or vendor or by the person who won the item. If the item was donated by the manufacturer or vendor, the donor may claim a tax deduction for the fair market value of the item. If the item was donated by the person who won the item, they may claim a tax deduction for the amount that they paid for the item in the auction.

It’s worth noting that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has specific guidelines for tax deductibility of donations. It’s recommended to check with the organization you’re donating to if they are DGR, and for more detailed information, you should consult with a tax professional or check the ATO’s website.

What Should You Think About When Planning a Charity Auction?

Charity auctions require careful planning and attention to detail to pull off correctly. Here are the three significant aspects to pay attention to whilst organising a charity auction.

• Auction items

The auction’s success greatly depends on the quality of the items used. Appealing items with good value and an air of mysticism urge more people to get involved and bid for their ownership.

If auction items are to be sold normally, they do not need to be of exceptional market value. However, they should hold some emotional or historical value enough to capture the attention of bidders. New and exciting objects can get new bidders tired of the same grade of objects.

• Auctioneers

A good auctioneer should be able to command the room and draw the guests’ attention. Charity auctions can suffer significantly if the auction process is not enjoyable. Crowd participation and a charismatic auctioneer can breathe new life into the event.

Many bidders tend to place higher bids on items with more enthusiastic auctioneers. Experience and innate talent are both crucial qualities of a good auctioneer who can urge hesitant bidders and keep the room interested in the proceedings to add to the success of the outing.

• Décor and Food

The decor and setting of the venue can also play a vital role in how the event is perceived. With bidders of great importance invited, hospitality is more essential than any other quality of the auction to leave behind a good word. The theme must align with the matter at hand to promote sensitivity towards the issue and show respect for the social cause.

Food plays a vital role in charity events. Good food instantly puts people in a good mood. Cuisines suited to the demographics of the bidders are a crucial point to pay attention to. Food options should be suitable to all diets, like vegan and vegetarian options, to cater to all audiences and make them feel welcome.

Helping Hand Group Auction Services: Lending You a Helping Hand

We, at the Helping Hand Group, can help you in planning your fundraising event. We offer auction items and services without a cost. We provide auction items on a consignment-type basis, set them up, run the auction and take down the displays at the end of the event. You are guaranteed to have interesting items that instantly catch bidders’ attention, making your charity auction successful. 

Contact us today for more details about our services.

An auction may raise money and motivate participants more effectively than any other form of fundraising. A well-planned event strategy, a lot of marketing and the perfect assortment of auction items are all required for a successful auction. 

Nevertheless, do you know the necessary compliance requirements for these events if you’re organising fundraising? Whilst less eye-catching than the main event you’re arranging, you need to consider the importance of compliance to your event’s success. If you fail to do so, you might risk violating some rules and regulations based on the legalities laid upon.

This article provides an overview of the compliance requirements governing charity auctions and insights into how these requirements may impact your organisation if you plan to hold an auction to raise money for your charity.

What Is Charity Auction Compliance?

A compliance requirement is a rule or law governing an organisation’s business activities. Compliance requirements are usually set by government entities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) in Australia and state or local governments.

Compliance requirements are often designed to protect both consumers and charities from fraud. The ACNC sets guidelines, advice and information to help charity fundraising comply with their obligation and help the public understand the ongoings of the not-for-profit sector. As a result, the public is informed, guided and protected with their rights once they participate in non-profit entities.

These regulatory institutions also created rules to protect consumers from excessive fees and other unscrupulous conduct by charities. Compliance requirements may also exist to protect charities, such as rules prohibiting deceptive advertising and fundraising ideas or requiring charities to disclose information about collected funds.

The Basics of Charity Auctions

Auctioning goods, whether in the form of a car, artwork or donated items, is a well-established way to raise money for charity. Some charities also host regular charity auctions to generate revenue. 

Many people support charitable organisations by bidding on items at a charity auction. These charitable auctions can be a great source of funding for nonprofit organisations and other charities, but they can also pose risks if they’re not managed properly. 

To conduct a compliant charity auction,

• You’ll need to be sure that the terms of the sale are clear to bidders.
• You’ll also want to ensure the amount charged for each item meets state and federal requirements. For example, you may need to set more for an item if it’s being sold to cover the costs associated with it, such as the cost of storing the item or a service fee associated with the auction.

Furthermore, determine whether your organisation must register with the appropriate state regulator. Registration may be required to conduct business in the state, such as conducting auctions open to residents of that state. If necessary, you should also consult the state’s requirements for running a compliant charity auction. 

How to Conduct a Compliance Review for Auctions

In this review, a member of your organisation’s legal team audits the charity auction’s compliance. Legal auditors should be thoroughly familiar with the laws that apply to auctions and the business operations of the auction organisation.

The audit includes a review of the following key areas of the auction: 

• Organisation—The charity itself, its registered agent and any other agents involved in the auction. The audit should include a review of the charity’s articles of incorporation, bylaws and other legal documents that affect the organisation.
• Auction—How the charity owns the items being auctioned. The audit should include reviewing the auction’s terms and conditions, including any rules about whether the organisation may hold the items being auctioned.
• Bidding—How bidders pay for items. The audit should include reviewing the bidding process, including any rules about how bids are submitted and the amount of time allowed for each bid.
• Payment—The audit should include reviewing how bidders are charged, including the amount charged and the payment method.

Finally, the audit should include an assessment of the overall risk associated with the event, such as whether the charity auction will likely be a financial success. Audits can help you determine where to improve your organisation’s operations. 

Other Things to Consider for Your Charity Auction

Charity auctions are indeed a popular fundraising mechanism for non-profit organisations. Other things to remember if you plan to conduct one are:

The number of items sold at the auction is typically limited to $5,000 or less. All proceeds must be donated to charity. And all charitable auctioneers must register with the state and submit annual financial reports.

These compliance requirements ensure that the items sold at charity auctions are of fair value and accurately priced. They also help ensure that any taxes on the proceeds go to the correct organisation.

Helping Hand Group Auction Services: Lending You a Helping Hand

Charity auctions are a legitimate way for organisations to raise money for their causes. Whilst these auctions must comply with federal and state consumer protection laws, it’s important to remember that these regulations are designed to protect consumers from fraud. Conducting a compliance review for your charity auction ensures that the event abides by all applicable consumer protection laws.

So, the next time you’re set to conduct your charity auction, you can count on us. Here at the Helping Hand Group, we have an expert team that can make your charity fundraising a hit. From pre-event planning to post-event review, we have got your back.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.

 

The Ultimate Auction Planning Checklist

Hosting an auction is never an easy feat. You will be handling tons of shifting parts. Even if you’ve managed to put a remarkable team to handle the event, it still makes the monitoring process a bit overwhelming. However, you can simplify your planning process with the help of effective and modern event technology and some useful tips. 

We’ve gathered the ultimate pro tips on how to make your auction planning a huge success. Following these practices will help you run your event smoothly and minimise any stress. 

Plan and Decide Which Auction Type to Host 

When you think about auctions, several scenarios like an auctioneer announcing money amounts, arranging tables and making auction paddles are immediately what come to mind. While live auctions are a popular choice, there are other auction types that your organisation can host. So, it’s important to plan and decide what exact sort you should put on. These three are the most popular types. 

• Silent Auctions 

This is an in-person type of auction planning where guests can browse the items arranged on tables. Guests often bid through writing an amount next to the item of choice. The use of mobile bidding software can increase donations by allowing guests to bid using their smartphones. Compared to live auctions, silent auctions are less integrated. You can easily interact with donors in person. 

• Online Auctions 

This is a  digital type of auction that is similar to silent auctions. For you to host this type of bidding, your organisation must set up an online auction site. To enable online participants to browse items smoothly, the site must feature product images with their descriptions. The participants also need to register their name and credit card details on the site before they can start placing a bid. 

Given that there’s no physical gathering involved, online auctions are less costly, easier to plan and anyone from different corners of the world can join.

• Live Auctions 

Live auctions are live performances where an auctioneer manages the bidding by means of item presentation and announcement of dollar amounts. For guests to place a bid, they must use bid paddles to get an auctioneer’s attention. Moreover, live auctions are often fun, fast and highly engaging for participants because you’ll have an auctioneer to handle the entire bidding show. 

Implement Software for Silent Auction

If there are gaps in your organisation’s event software during the auction planning process, take time to find and build new ways. Although not every event needs an all-around advanced software, there are some that are highly recommended.

• • Mobile bidding tools that boost bids and engagement during the auction event. 
  • Marketing software for smooth email and social media interactions. 
  • Dedicated auction toolkit to manage the event from start to finish. 
  • A CRM to gather and store data generated from the auction. 
  • Registration software for your larger auction program. 

Using mobile bidding software can be a turning point for every silent auction event. It makes bidding more seamless and fast. You can even enhance your guests’ experience and boost engagement. Also, these tools will make sending auction updates directly to bidders easier.  

Promote Premium Auction Items

Advertising big-ticket auction items in your social media posts, email blasts and website promotes higher bids and sells more tickets. Make sure to use a sufficient amount of images, sensory information and short video clips when describing every auctioned item. 

Obtain Pre-Donations and Advertise a Fund-a-Need

It is highly likely that more prepared guests are willing to pledge cash if you promote your special appeal beforehand, even if most auction purchases are due to impulse buying. You can contact your supporters before the event to know who would be willing to donate and at what amounts. Doing so will give you a better view of how much money you’ll need to meet your goal.  

Select Enhancers for Your Revenue

In addition to special appeal and live auction, there are plenty of ways to raise funds—from fundraiser auctions to silent auctions and a whole lot more. When choosing revenue enhancers, these are the things to keep in mind. 

• • Procure Table Captains 

People who are assigned to fill their table with family, friends and colleagues are what you called as table captains. Provide them with the needed language and collateral to attract people to your event. 

• • Set the Agenda for the Event 

The key to reducing confusion and keeping everyone focused on the event is to follow a fixed and fast-changing program. This will help you engage your guests and raise more money. 

• • Prepare Bid Numbers/Cards

Using bid cards can still raise money in live auctions and fund-a-need events, regardless if you’re utilising mobile bidding software in your auction.

• • Set a Print Deadline for Catalogue 

Displaying your best items in a charity auction catalogue is one of the best ways to gain more bidding. After you’ve set the live auction items, prepare and print your catalogue beforehand. 

Finalise Your Volunteers for the Program

Make sure that prior to starting your charity auction event, you already have your list of certain volunteers. Inform them of their roles and what gaps they need to fill during the event. 

Complete Your Check-In and Check-Out Service Plans

Provide sufficient time for volunteers under the checkout team to process bid sheets and accompany guests out the venue. If you’re using auction software, your guests can pre-register credit card details to save time. Also, mobile bidding can quicken the process since they can directly pay using their Smartphones. 

Encourage People to Participate

You can further increase ticket sales by offering tiered pricing, premium tickets near the stage, or early-bird raffle tickets. Don’t forget to boost engagement and promotion on email and social media. You can set multiple ticket sale deadlines for those who are selling tickets. Doing so lets you monitor sales and increase revenue while there’s still time, whenever necessary. 

Lending You a Helping Hand

We, at Helping Hand Group, can assist you with your auction needs. Our auction items are on a consignment-type basis and that means no cost to your event budget. We also have our friendly event staff ready to set up the item displays at your event, manage the auctions and take down the displays at the end of the event. 

That’s how we lend a helping hand. Contact us for details.

5 Strategies to Make Your Charity Auction a Success

Auctions are a fun and excellent way to get the funds that you need to launch your projects. Even more, they are an effective way to get everyone involved. Because they are a highly interactive event, charity fundraisers are also a great opportunity to connect with your supporters and engage with them, even if you hold your charity auction online. However, running these charity events or fundraisers can be time-consuming and tedious at the same time.

If it’s your first time to run a charity auction, don’t fret. Here are a few tips to help you run an auction and so much more!

Tips to Make Charity Auction a Success

 

• Choose the right auction type

Select the most suitable type of auction based on your target market to ensure its success. It has to be appealing enough for your supporters to ensure that you’ll have a fruitful turnout.

Aside from live auctions, you can also consider online and silent auctions, depending on your supporters’ preference. It’s highly advisable to learn the benefits and the downsides of each auction type, to come up with the right decision.

• Use an auction software application

Before you start to plan the event, it’s best to choose an auction software application for ease in organising all its aspects. There are two primary types of auction software applications: auction and event planning software and mobile bidding software.  

Depending on your needs, both of these software applications can help make your charity auction a success. Both types of software applications have been programmed to streamline every part of the process. This makes planning charity events or charity fundraisers easier while also giving the donors easy access to bid or buy tickets.

• Choose exciting items

Getting the most competitive items is a must to get your sponsors motivated to donate. This should be one of the goals when thinking about fundraiser ideas for charity. A few of the best things you can consider can range from signed sports apparel, vacation getaway or a concert ticket.

Although the primary goal of all charity events is to incentivise charitable contributions, getting your donors’ attention with exciting items to spur their interest is a great way to turn your event into a great success! However, it will help to keep in mind the law of supply and demand when choosing auction item ideas. You need to ensure that the items are scarce to find to score higher bids. Doing so will make your donors feel like they’re walking away with something they want to get.

• Run ads in advance

Once you’ve carefully curated your auction items, it’s about time to showcase them as part of your charity auction promotion. Running ads showcasing the auction pieces will not only motivate people to participate, but you might even encourage uninterested individuals to attend the event, too.

Fortunately, there are many ways to promote your items. In addition to printing them, you can also run your ads online. Not only will you raise more money, but it’s also more efficient.

• Secure your sponsorships

An effective way to help you manage your costs is by securing sponsorships from businesses or individuals for your charity auction online. You can ask them for assistance, either through cash or in-kind donations, to underwrite the expenses of running such an event. In return, you can offer them various benefits and tiered sponsorship that they can choose based on the value that they want to give and receive. You can also consider offering them public recognition in return for their donations.

 

Lending You a Helping Hand

At Helping Hand Group, we provide our clients with only the best help that they need to run their live and silent auctions. Here are a few more reasons why you should work with us.

• Highly experienced

If you try to start a charity auction online or a live one on your own, there’s a big chance that you might miss out on a few practical pointers to make the most of your resources. In contrast, when you get auction experts like us, you are guaranteed to get only the best support for the auction process. A professional auction team has all the experience that you need to run the auction. Our knowledge of what may happen in an auction will ensure that you won’t leave out any critical information or requirements for the event.

• Assistance from start to finish

Managing all the aspects of an auction event can be tedious, and you might not have the proper resources or tools handy to perform every task. That’s not the case if you would decide to work with us. We provide auction items on a consignment-type basis. Aside from taking care of setting up, we can also run the auction and take down the displays at the end of the event.

• No upfront costs

Yes, our services come at no cost to our clients. We cover our costs through the sales of auction items. That’s why we always make sure to create engaging auctions at charity events where guests would want to bid and win. As we sell our items, you also raise more money. Staging great auctions is our specialty!

Interested in working with us? Contact us today.