I'm planning a big charity sporting clays tournament for the week of Veterans Day and we came up with the idea of auctioning some really cool stuff that could go for a lot of money. One idea is having a few nicer guns like an over under and a good AR15 that would be signed by all the navy seals that will be at the event (~10-12). Charity is the Seal Family Foundation. Last year's event (our first) raised $100k net and we didn't have an auction.

What other really cool stuff would make you want to spend a lot of money at an auction? Also - specific recommendations on the idea I mentioned above would be welcomed too. Thanks!

Half/whole beef

Hunts

Hard to find booze. Stagg, PVW, etc.

Handmade knife by a reputable bladesmith

Rangefinder. Nice feeder. Gift cards

I love a good charity shoot. Post the details when you got em!

Make sure plenty of alcohol is served before the auction starts.

If there are women there, get a kennel to donate a puppy.

Anything Glock or 300 Blackout.

You're not in the territory where it means anything, but our big money item up in Montana is always a log truck load of firewood. We have a log yard in the county that will deliver, and I ponied up $1700 last year to get my firewood acquired for at least 2 years.

A half cord of smoker wood, or fireplace wood, should bring $1000 in Texas.

We always reach out to any local hardware store or ATV dealer. You should look at any business within a reasonable distance and ask them for a donation of cash/services/or other.

I also want to add that $100k net is absolutely insane and you have no business posting here. Your job is already done for your by your predecessors.

We got up to $24k at our golf tournament last year because the beneficiary sent out probably 400 mailers.

You're getting everything handed to you. Just do what you're told and be appreciative.

I planned last year's event too. It was our inaugural event. I got about 20 companies to sponsor. It was a lot of work and we were very proud of the outcome and want to grow it this year, hence the auction idea.

Following:

I volunteer with a veterans nonprofit. We are having our first state banquet this August in Fort Worth. So far we have this for auction / raffle items:

Various knives
Couple rifles
Couple pistols
Pistol safe
4 person striper trip on Texoma
Custom smoker
Custom smaller BBQ grill
Fire pit
Diesel burner heater
Thermal Nilgai hunt
4 person safari in South Africa

We have other stuff too, don't have the spreadsheet in front of me.

I had one of these Chris Kyle TRP Operators sitting in my closet. I had tried to find someone interested in buying it outright and wasn't having much luck. At a recent shoot I donated it and was completely shocked when it went for $10,500.

I bet with the attendees at your event you will get similar results.

These are some really great ideas - thanks for the creativity so far!

aggiesundevil4 said:

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I planned last year's event too. It was our inaugural event. I got about 20 companies to sponsor. It was a lot of work and we were very proud of the outcome and want to grow it this year, hence the auction idea.

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That's awesome

It felt great - and a chunk of that money went directly to helping the families of the two navy seals that recently died during that Houthi rebel boat raid. One of the seals that came to our event and shot on a team was good friends with one of the seals that died.