How Should I Set My Starting Bid?

The general rule: Always set your minimum bid above the nonprofit price of the experience. This ensures that every winning bid generates profit for your organization.

How pricing works on the portal:

• The first number shown (the green price tag) is the nonprofit cost — this is what you pay LuxGive if the experience sells.
• The second number (avg bid value) is the average bid value based on results from live auctions across our network.

Factors that affect the recommended starting bid:

• Event format: Live auctions typically generate higher bids than silent auctions.
• Experience tier: Higher-value experiences (e.g., $5,000+ nonprofit price) tend to generate larger margins between cost and winning bid.
• **Donor demographics: **Your consultant will factor in your audience to suggest realistic starting bids.

What if the highest bid is below the nonprofit price? You are not obligated to sell. If the winning bid doesn’t cover the nonprofit price, you can choose not to complete the sale — there’s no financial penalty.

Updated on: 17/05/2026