Benefit dinner auctions have become very popular and extremely effective fund raising events. These dinner auctions unite the social aspect of a formal dinner with the chance to bid on donated items. A well organized benefit dinner auction can raise tens of thousands of dollars; it's no surprise so many organizations are using this fund raising tool as a way to create funds.

Benefit dinners are more than just dinner and some bestowed items. It's really an extravaganza with lucky draws, no host bars, live and silent auctions, dessert auctions, door prizes and so much more.

How to Prepare

Organizing a benefit dinner is a mammoth task, and can take up to a year of preparation. The first step will be to put together an auction committee of at least 15-20 people, each who will work on one component of

the auction. At first meeting of the committee, set the date and the venue, and then reserve the space. Dinner auctions are usually held in hotel banquet rooms or convention centers; more casual events can be hosted in a school gymnasium or church fellowship hall.

The next step will be to determine the elements of the dinner auction. Your guests are aware that the money earned through this event goes to a noble cause. The aim of the dinner auction is to sway your guests to expend as much money as possible in a way that is entertaining.

The dinner itself can be a great way to raise some funds. Most dinner auctions serve up a prime rib dinner, with rice or potatoes, some sort of salad and bread roll. For a relaxed and casual benefit dinner, spaghetti or roast chicken are typical menu items. Dinner tickets are generally tax deductible above the price tag of the meal itself.

A ‘No host’ bar is an added tool for making money. If the event is being hosted in a private facility, volunteers can work the bar and sell wine and beer with a special provisional wine & beer license issued by the state.

Instead of serving up dessert with the meal, some benefit dinners raise funds with a Dessert Auction. Donated desserts can fetch up to $100 or maybe even more and are extremely lucrative.

With every ticket purchased, offer up a chance to win adoor prize. Door prizes are usually wonderful prizes, such as weekend getaways, laptops, or plasma television sets.
 

Don’t forget to set up a lucky while organizing a benefit dinner. For those who can't afford to bid on an item, a $5 ticket for an opportunity to win a prize is certainly something most people can cough up the money for.

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