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Can Donors Submit Items Through My Auction Page?

TL;DR

Yes. You can enable a public donation form that lets supporters submit their own items directly to your auction page for approval. This makes it easy to grow your catalog without manually entering every donation.

Author: Tom Kelly 2 min reads

How Donor Item Submission Works

Instead of entering every item yourself, you can activate a donor submission form on your auction page. Supporters fill out the form with item details, upload images, and submit it for your review. You then approve or edit the listing before it appears in your auction catalog.

This feature saves time, encourages more donations, and makes it simple for businesses, parents, or community members to contribute.

Step 1: Log In to Your Event Dashboard

  1. Log in to your auction dashboard.
  2. Choose the event you want to enable donor submissions for.
  3. Go to Event Settings or Donor Submission Settings.

Step 2: Enable the Donor Submission Form

  • Look for the option “Allow Donors to Submit Items” or “Enable Public Item Donation.”
  • Toggle this setting to On.
  • Save your changes.

Once activated, a “Donate an Item” button will appear on your auction page.

Step 3: Customize the Submission Form

  • Add or remove required fields such as:
    • Donor Name
    • Item Title and Description
    • Fair Market Value (FMV)
    • Quantity or restrictions
    • Image uploads
  • Include guidelines for acceptable items so donors know what to submit.
  • Add contact fields if you need to follow up.
  • Copy the “Item Submission” link from your dashboard.
  • Share it in emails, social posts, or your event landing page.
  • Donors can access the form without logging in.

This makes it easy for sponsors and supporters to participate quickly.

Step 5: Review and Approve Donor-Submitted Items

  1. Go to the Items tab in your dashboard.
  2. Look for Pending Items or Donor Submissions.
  3. Review each submission.
  4. Approve, edit, or decline as needed.
  5. Approved items will appear in your auction catalog.

Step 6: Manage and Track Donations

  • You can edit item titles, descriptions, and values after approval.
  • Add categories or update images if necessary.
  • Keep track of which donors contributed which items for recognition or receipts.

Pro Tips for Successful Donor Submissions

  • Make your form easy to find on the auction homepage.
  • Include examples of ideal items in your promotional emails.
  • Set clear deadlines for when submissions close.
  • Send automated thank-you messages to acknowledge donor contributions.
  • Review submissions daily during your intake period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can donors really submit their own items?

Yes. By enabling the public donor submission form, supporters can enter item details and upload images directly to your auction.

Do I have to approve every donated item?

Yes. All submissions go into a pending queue. You can approve, edit, or decline them before they appear on your auction page.

Can I control what fields donors fill out?

Yes. You can customize the donor submission form by adding, removing, or requiring specific fields.

Can donors upload photos of their items?

Yes. The form allows donors to upload images directly so their items are ready for review and approval.

Can I share the item donation link outside the auction?

Yes. You can post the submission link on your website, in emails, or on social media so donors can contribute easily.

Do donors need an account to submit items?

No. Donors can submit items without logging in or creating an account, making the process simple and quick.

Can I limit what kinds of items are accepted?

Yes. You can set clear guidelines and review submissions before approving them to ensure only appropriate items are listed.

Will donors see their item live right away?

No. Items must be reviewed and approved by you or your team before appearing in the auction catalog.

Can I edit donated items before they go live?

Yes. You can modify titles, descriptions, values, and images before approving the item.

Can I turn off donor submissions later?

Yes. You can disable the donor submission form at any time from your event settings if you no longer want to accept donations.

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Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly, TEDx speaker and CEO of CharityAuctions.com, helps nonprofits raise millions through auctions and AI. He hosts The Million Dollar Nonprofit podcast and inspires leaders to live their legacy, not just leave it.

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