Are you one of those people who starts getting excited about fall as soon as July 4th has passed? If so, you’re in good company. For those still relishing summer, don’t worry, we get it. 

But fall giving season is just around the corner, and some strategic planning now can set the stage for successful fundraisers later in the year.

As autumn leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, fall presents nonprofits with a golden opportunity to host memorable fundraising events. The season’s natural beauty and cozy atmosphere create the perfect backdrop for bringing supporters together while maximizing donations through strategic auction pairings.

From harvest celebrations to elegant autumn galas, here are some fall event ideas that work beautifully with auctions, along with practical tips to make your events successful.

Harvest Gala and Silent Auction

Fall’s rich colors and abundant harvest theme make it an ideal time for an elegant autumn gala. Think warm lighting, seasonal décor with pumpkins and fall foliage, and a menu featuring harvest-inspired cuisine. A silent auction allows guests to browse items throughout the evening while enjoying the festivities and seasonal ambiance.

Mobile bidding works particularly well for formal events like galas, as guests can bid discreetly from their phones without interrupting conversations or dinner service. Consider setting up attractive display stations throughout the venue where guests can view items in person before placing their bids. Send outbid notifications to keep the competitive spirit alive throughout the evening.

A Harvest Gala auction is perfect for offering seasonal experiences, luxury items, and unique autumn-themed opportunities that resonate with the fall spirit.

Harvest Gala Auction Item Ideas:

• Exclusive wine country tours during peak fall foliage
• Private chef-prepared Thanksgiving dinner for 8-10 people
• Luxury ski resort weekend getaways
• Professional family portrait session in a fall setting
• Farm-to-table cooking classes featuring seasonal ingredients

Oktoberfest Celebration and Beer Auction

An Oktoberfest-themed fundraiser brings together the best of fall flavors with community spirit. Whether hosted at a local brewery, community center, or outdoor venue, this event can feature authentic German cuisine, live music, and a beer-themed auction that celebrates craft brewing culture.

For items you have multiples of—like beer growlers, brewery merchandise, or tasting packages—consider using fixed-price “Buy It Now” options rather than traditional bidding. This eliminates the wait and allows guests to secure their favorites immediately. Set up a dedicated pickup area to streamline distribution of these items.

Oktoberfest Auction Item Ideas:

• Private brewery tours with tastings
• Craft beer making classes
• Beer and cheese pairing experiences
• Custom beer growler sets with local brewery partnerships
• Exclusive access to limited-edition seasonal brews

Bonus Tip: Reach out to local craft breweries about collaboration opportunities. Many small, locally-owned breweries regularly partner with local artists and causes, and they may be interested in creating a special brew tied to your mission. For example, Helltown Brewing collaborated with the nonprofit Helping Hops to create “Hellping Hops,” where a portion of the beer sales went to local food banks. 

(Source: https://breweriesinpa.com/helltown-brewing-introduces-hellping-hops-a-charity-collaboration-beer/)

Charity Golf Outing and Autumn Auction

Fall golf tournaments take advantage of cooler temperatures and stunning autumn scenery. After a day on the course surrounded by fall foliage, hosting a live or silent auction at the clubhouse reception maximizes fundraising potential.

Place QR codes on tee signs throughout the course linking directly to your auction. This allows golfers to browse and bid between holes, building excitement and driving up bid amounts before the official auction begins. Consider creating “hole sponsor” auction packages that local businesses can bid on for next year’s tournament.

Fall Golf Tournament Auction Item Ideas:

• Winter golf vacation packages to warm destinations
• Premium golf equipment and fall apparel
• Private lessons with golf professionals
• Memberships to exclusive country clubs
• Golf cart sponsorships for next year’s tournament

Halloween Festival and Community Auction

Halloween festivals bring families together for costume contests, trick-or-treating, and seasonal fun. Adding a family-friendly auction gives attendees another way to support your cause while celebrating the spooky season.

Set up an auction booth where guests can browse items in person while also enabling online bidding for those who can’t attend. This hybrid approach maximizes participation from your entire supporter base. Keep auction items at various price points to ensure accessibility for all family budgets.

Halloween Festival Auction Item Ideas:

• Professional family costume consultation and creation
• Haunted house or ghost tour experiences
• Halloween party planning services
• Seasonal decoration packages for next year
• Local business “trick-or-treat” gift baskets

Wine and Cider Tasting Event

Fall harvest season makes wine and cider tastings particularly appealing. Apple orchards, wineries, or upscale venues provide sophisticated settings for fundraising events featuring premium beverages, seasonal appetizers, and curated auctions.

A wine pull adds an element of surprise and excitement to any tasting event. Set up limited “pull tickets” at a fixed price—one for each bottle in your collection—and let guests purchase them early in the evening. This creates immediate revenue while adding an entertaining game element to your auction.

Wine and Cider Tasting Auction Ideas:

• Private vineyard tours during harvest season
• Wine cellar consultation and setup services
• Apple orchard experiences with cider making classes
• Sommelier-led private tastings
• Premium wine and artisanal cheese subscriptions

Turkey Trot 5K and Online Auction

Thanksgiving-themed 5K races capitalize on fall fitness enthusiasm and holiday spirit. A virtual or online auction allows runners, spectators, and remote supporters to participate regardless of location or schedule.

Promote auction items in advance through your race registration communications and social media. This builds anticipation and allows bidding to begin before race day. Participants can continue bidding after crossing the finish line, extending engagement beyond the actual event.

Turkey Trot 5K Auction Ideas:

• High-end running gear and winter fitness equipment
• Personal training packages for the new year
• Spa and recovery treatment packages
• Adventure race entries and outdoor experiences
• Nutrition consultation and meal planning services

Back-to-School Auction

Early fall presents a unique opportunity to engage school communities through a lighthearted auction where faculty, staff, and students all participate. Teachers, administrators, and coaches can offer their time and talents, creating experiences that families can bid on to directly benefit their children’s education. Students can collaborate to create artwork for their parents to bid on, while community members can assemble educationally themed baskets for the auction.

Think about keeping things in the spirit of “back-to-school” and education. If this isn’t tied to a formal event you can offer this as a completely remote option. 

Faculty & School Auction Item Ideas:

• Principal for a day experience
• Teacher lunch dates with small groups of students
• Students’ Collaborative Artwork
• Back-to-School Basket with fun school supplies
• Locker decorating services

Final Thoughts

Fall offers nonprofits a season rich with fundraising opportunities, and strategic auction pairings can significantly boost donations. Whether hosting an elegant harvest gala, community Halloween festival, or active Turkey Trot, auctions provide attendees with engaging ways to support your cause while celebrating the season.

The key to successful fall fundraising lies in matching auction items to your specific event and audience interests. Cozy autumn themes, seasonal experiences, and holiday preparations naturally resonate with supporters during this time of year.

Technology tools like AuctionSnap can streamline the entire auction process, from item management to mobile bidding and checkout. For comprehensive event management that integrates seamlessly with your auction platform, consider pairing it with EventSnap to handle registration, communication, and overall event coordination. Together, these tools can elevate your next fall fundraiser and maximize your impact.