How It Works
Running Your Next Fundraising Auction…
…Just Got Easier
cMarket's online auctions are helping schools and nonprofits of every size and in every sector raise more money and reach new donors. Our fundraising auctions are changing the way organizations are running their silent auctions - by streamlining the process and increasing overall revenue.
Silent auctions have a tendency to limit bidding due in part to distractions in the room. Plus, 30% - 80% of an organization’s constituency never actually make it to the fundraising event, curbing the amount of philanthropic bidders that are in attendance. A cMarket online auction can overcome these challenges and result in increased participation and greater auction earnings.
…Just Got More Productive
"Our silent auction was becoming logistically very complicated, and it wasn’t available to everyone so it limited bidding. Going online solved both of these problems."
- Marie Lehman, Menlo School
Organizations are discovering that cMarket’s auctions take less time and require fewer dedicated resources. By placing your auction online, you eliminate much of the logistical work involved including the set-up, management and breakdown of an in-room silent auction, giving you the chance to redeploy volunteers and concentrate on other areas of your event.
…Just Got More Affordable
In addition to the overall ease and accessibility, nonprofits are benefitting from the economic advantages of running an auction on the web. cMarket customers earn an average of $5 for every $1 they invest - making online auctions a more profitable fundraising program.
Our online auctions are a fun and interactive way to boost your development campaigns. cMarket helps your organization to reach, and often times exceed, revenue goals.
…Just Got Smarter
Putting Intelligent Auction Management to Work for Your Organization: cMarket makes it easy for you to seamlessly integrate online auctions into your current fundraising plans. We’ve developed programs to evolve as your auction progresses - making it run more smoothly and ensuring a more profitable event.
Step 1: Getting Ready
Set up your auction and prepare your items using our online auction software. Search our library of resources for tips, tools and valuable information to help you plan. Build and customize easy online templates using our powerful auction management system. Visit cMarket Place, our online consignment store, for exclusive items that will give your catalog a boost. Set up Smarter Auction to enable reporting and to track your progress, helping you reach fundraising objectives.
Step 2: Running an Auction
You’ve launched your auction, now promote it to your community. Use cMarket’s email communications feature, and employ our graphics and collateral services for added publicity. Opt into BiddingForGood and open your catalog to bidders beyond your area. Generate daily reports to determine how items are faring. Consider our advanced fundraising seminars, tutorials and guides to help you develop new fundraising ideas and make the most of your online auction experience.
Step 3: Evaluating Your Success
As the fundraiser winds down, cMarket makes it easy for you to close out your auction. With the click of a button, cMarket enables you to complete your transactions and begin evaluating the results. Use your End of Auction Report (EOAR) to help you plan and prepare for additional online fundraisers, and ensure even more profitable and successful auctions in the future.