Igniting Hope Gala Auction GUIDELINES

Welcome to the Igniting Hope Live Auction! To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, we kindly ask all participants to read and adhere to the following rules and expectations:

1. Bid Numbers: At the event, you will receive a bidder number upon check-in. This number is how we will track your bids, so please keep it visible when bidding.

2. Starting Bids & Increments: All items will have a set starting bid and minimum bid increment. Bids must meet or exceed these amounts.

3. Placing a Bid: To place a bid, raise your bidder card clearly. Once the auctioneer acknowledges your bid, it is considered a binding commitment to purchase the item at that price if you win.

4. Winning a Bid: The highest bid acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the winning bid. The auctioneer's decision is final. If there's any dispute about a bid, the auctioneer has the right to reopen the bidding.

5. Payment: Winners are expected to pay for their items immediately following the conclusion of the auction or as directed by the event staff. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, and credit card.

6. Item Pickup: All items must be picked up by the end of the event, unless other arrangements are made. 

7. No Returns: All items are sold “as is” without warranties. Please inspect items or read descriptions carefully before bidding. There are no returns or exchanges.

8. Respect: Please respect other bidders and avoid any disruptive behavior. We reserve the right to ask any attendee to leave if they are not abiding by these rules or are disrupting the event.

9. Legal Age: Bidders must be of legal age (18 or older) to participate in the auction.

10. Privacy: Your personal information will be kept confidential and will not be shared or sold. It will only be used for the purposes of this auction.

11. Tax Deductions: If you successfully bid on an item that exceeds its fair market value, the difference may be tax-deductible as a charitable donation. For instance, if an item has a fair market value of $1000 and you bid $1500, the potential tax-deductible donation portion is $500.

12. Donor-Advised Funds and Auction Payments: If you're considering using funds from a donor-advised fund (DAF) to pay for auction items, be aware that DAFs generally cannot be used for items where the donor receives goods or services in return.

  • Potential solution: Split payments can be made where the fair market value of the item is paid with personal funds, and the deductible donation portion (amount above the FMV) is paid from the DAF.

  • Please consult with your DAF sponsoring organization and tax advisor before making payments with DAF funds.

13. Consult with a Tax Professional: Tax laws and regulations can be complex and vary based on individual circumstances. We recommend consulting with a tax professional or accountant to determine the exact tax benefits you might receive from participating in our auction.


If you have any questions, please email Heath at heath@hopeventures.org.