When it comes to charity auctions and raffles, the right prize can make all the difference. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a powerful shift in donor behaviour: people are increasingly bidding higher—and more often—on experiences rather than physical goods.
But why do experiences consistently outperform items like electronics, artwork, or hampers? And how can your charity take advantage of this trend to raise more money? Here’s what we’ve learned after supporting hundreds of successful fundraising events.
Experiences Create Emotional Value
Experiences tap into the emotional core of giving. They aren’t just about ownership—they’re about anticipation, memory-making, and connection. Whether it’s a weekend wine tour in Tuscany or a helicopter ride over London, these moments stay with donors long after the event ends.
This emotional resonance makes people more likely to:
- Spend more (impulse-driven bidding)
- Remember your event more fondly
- Associate your cause with a once-in-a-lifetime moment
2. They Feel Exclusive and Unrepeatable
Experiences feel personalised, unique, and often once-in-a-lifetime. We’ve seen bidders go to extraordinary lengths to win a cooking masterclass with a celebrity chef, or backstage passes to their favourite show.
The key here is scarcity. You can buy a bottle of champagne anytime—but you can’t always meet the winemaker who produced it.
3. Experiences Are More ‘Instagrammable’
Let’s be honest—people love sharing their experiences online. A luxury spa day or supercar track experience is far more likely to be posted on social media than a new smartwatch.
This not only gives your donors social currency, but also extends the life and visibility of your fundraiser. Donors who win experience prizes often mention the charity in their posts, offering valuable free PR.
4. They Avoid the ‘Stuff Fatigue’ Problem
Many of your supporters are already fortunate. They have the gadgets, the kitchenware, the jewellery. What they crave more is meaningful time, novelty, and adventure—things money can’t always buy easily.
Offering experience-based prizes caters to this modern mindset of “less stuff, more stories.”
5. They Often Raise More – Even Multiple Times
The beauty of consigned experience prizes is that they can be sold more than once. If bidding gets competitive, you can sell the same trip or experience to multiple people, instantly doubling or tripling the funds raised.
You can’t do that with a signed guitar or a single bottle of whisky.
Final Thoughts
In today’s fundraising landscape, experience prizes don’t just enhance your event—they supercharge your results. They’re aspirational, shareable, and emotionally rich—three ingredients that drive higher bids and deeper donor engagement.
If you’re looking to refresh your prize offering and give your supporters something unforgettable, let’s chat. At Elisium Experiences, we specialise in curating and providing exclusive, no-risk experience prizes that elevate your event and maximise your fundraising potential.
Ready to see what an experience prize can do for your next event?
📩 Get in touch for our latest prize catalogue or a custom consultation.
