Tips on Organizing a Charity Auction

Edward Anderton co-founded Scarlata Chocolate in 2012 and now serves as the managing director of the organization. With a dedicated philanthropist at its helm, Edward Anderton's company donates premium chocolates to the Star of Hope to be sold in charity auctions.

Charity auctions are an excellent way to raise money. Here are a few key things to consider when planning one. 

A charity auction can be held as a silent auction, allowing bidders to remain anonymous, or in a traditional format involving an auctioneer selling items. Regardless of the form of auction used, guests should always receive a list of the auction’s items prior to the event to generate excitement and anticipation. Donated items such as coupons, gift cards, services, and items from local organizations and businesses are typically sold at charity auctions. 

An essential part of planning the auction includes choosing the venue and promoting the event by sending out invitations and advertising on social media. Other tasks to consider include deciding how payments will be collected at the auction and organizing a crew for clean-up duties following the event.

Some Recent Accomplishments of Star of Hope

Edward Anderton, a certified project management professional, co-founded Seattle-based Scarlata Chocolate in 2012 while serving as a project manager at Microsoft. Also the managing director of Scarlata Chocolate, Edward Anderton coordinates the company’s philanthropic activities.

Most recently, Scarlata Chocolate made donations to Star of Hope, a nonprofit organization that operates a children’s center in Kenya for 30 orphans. Since its founding in 2011, Star of Hope has achieved a number of steps in its mission to help vulnerable children, which include:

- the provision of goods and services for students, such as meals, clothes, school supplies, and fully funded medical services;

- facility improvements, such as a dormitory, a kitchen, a dining hall, new classrooms, and sanitary facilities; and

- infrastructure enhancements, such as fencing, diesel generators, a water purification system, and a water storage system.

To donate to Star of Hope, visit www.starofhopecentre.org.