Boost Fundraiser Profit Fast With Live Surprise Games
Excite your guests and boost fundraiser profit fast with Live Surprise Games. Learn how to use creative games that raise big money and keep donors engaged.
Fundraising Just Got a Lot More Fun And Profitable
If you’re looking for an exciting way to increase fundraiser profit, engage your guests, and create unforgettable memories, it’s time to try Live Surprise Fundraiser Games. These interactive and engaging games inject fun and energy into your event while helping you meet or exceed your fundraising goals. From Live Surprise Boxes to the Last Hero Standing and Paddle Sweep, these creative games can raise thousands of dollars in minutes. Let’s break down how to make them a highlight at your next event.
What Are Live Surprise Fundraiser Games?
Live Fundraiser Games are activities where guests pay a set amount to participate in a chance to win big, while supporting your cause. They’re designed to spark curiosity, amplify excitement, and encourage spontaneous giving. These games are perfect for all types of fundraising events.
They work best with savvy, experienced charity auctioneers who know how to engage guests, successfully manage the games, and maximize profit.
Live Surprise Boxes
To play this game, guests purchase beautifully wrapped boxes for a set price ($50–$100 each). Each box includes a small, themed keepsake, like a keychain with the organization’s name on it, a wine stopper, or something that goes with the theme of your event. One box has a grand prize, like diamond earrings, airline vouchers, or a $1,000 gift card. If the prize can’t fit in the box, include a note saying: you are the grand prize winner. Select a grand prize that would be appealing to the majority of guests.
Plan to offer ¼ to ⅓ the number of boxes as you have guests in the room to create scarcity and urgency.
Order affordable but elegant boxes from Amazon, Paper Mart, or AliExpress.
Example Profit Breakdown
Sell 100 boxes at $100 each = $10,000 in under 5 minutes!
This is a perfect kickoff before your live auction even starts.
How To Play Live Surprise Boxes Fundraiser Game
- When the auctioneer announces the Live Surprise opportunity, volunteers walk through the crowd selling the boxes.
- Guests buy boxes using their bid number or mobile device.
- Guests wait to open their boxes until all boxes are sold.
- Play upbeat music while the boxes are being sold to create an exciting atmosphere.
- When all boxes are sold, the auctioneer tells everyone to open their boxes and the winner stands to be recognized amidst cheers from the crowd!
At the end of the game, ask your auctioneer to say, “Congratulations! Together we have raised $_____ and the live auction has not even started yet!”
Real-Life Example: Live Surprise Gift Bags Instead of Boxes
Here’s how one nonprofit organization creatively adapted the Live Surprise Game using 50 gift bags instead of boxes!
After all guests were seated for the program, the auctioneer announced, “We have an amazing opportunity for you tonight! Everyone who plays our Live Surprise Game will receive a special gift, and one lucky participant will win a $100 Visa gift card!” , Volunteers handed out sealed gift bags in exchange for the tear-off tab from each guest’s bid paddle.
Here’s how it worked:
- Gift bags were sold for $100 each.
- Each bag contained a unique box of note cards decorated with a painting from a child in the nonprofit’s program.
- Guests were asked to tear off the tab from their bid paddle and exchange it for a gift bag.
- Guests’ credit cards, which were linked to their bid numbers, were automatically charged $100. No cash was exchanged.
- After all bags were distributed, guests opened them simultaneously.
- The grand prize winner was revealed.
All 50 bags sold out quickly, raising $5,000 in minutes—all before the live auction even began!
To find gift bags, search on Amazon for bulk gift bags.
Secrets for Success: Live Surprise Boxes
Signage Matters
Display large, easy-to-read signs or images on the screens in the room that explain the game and highlight the prize. If a company sponsors the game and provides the prize, be sure to mention them while playing the game and include their logo on the displays explaining the game.
Roaming Volunteers
Dress volunteers in bright colors, or give them a Volunteer namebadge to draw attention. Let them work in teams. Giving them large trays (from the food service at your venue) to carry the boxes or bags makes the game faster. One volunteer carries the tray and the other team member hands the bags out in exchange for the bid paddle tear off. They should have cards to explain the game quickly to guests in case there are any questions.
Mobile Payments
Use iPads or mobile bidding platforms to streamline purchases – no clipboards or cash! This should be set up at registration/check in.
Pre-Scan Credit Cards
Guests feel more relaxed when all they need is a bid number to play. This is also set up at registration/check in. Prescan guest credit cards and assign each guest or couple a bid paddle. Reach out to us to see samples and get ideas for your next event!
Visual Impact
Project the grand prize and sponsor logos on large screens near the stage. Ask the auctioneer to thank the sponsor as well.
Keepsake Items
Include thoughtful small gifts like wine stoppers, keychains, or theme-related trinkets to make every box a win.
Add Drama with Theatrical Dessert Live Auction Items
Add drama to your fundraiser with a flaming dessert auction! Have a popular chef prepare something live onstage, like Bananas Foster, Baked Alaska, or the flaming coffee dessert, Spanish Coffee. A bidding war starts when the auctioneer announces that this special dessert will be awarded to the table with the highest bidder. Guests bid using their bid paddles. Guests at the highest bidder’s table get the exclusive dessert. The other guests receive a simpler dessert. Serve the dessert immediately after the live auction.
Make it more exciting:
- Show a short video of the chef making the dessert.
- Play dramatic music like Flight of the Bumblebee.
- Have the chef on stage during bidding.
Crowd Favorites to End the Night
Last Hero Standing
Including the Last Hero Standing game typically results in a strong giving moment. Use this activity to close out the giving moment at your fundraiser. When the auctioneer gets down to the lowest donation level and feels like everyone has given, he announces: “We are looking for the last hero of the night.” He or she asks guests to donate $100. The last person to donate wins a prize, like airline tickets, a weekend stay at a resort, or a $1,000 gift card. Bid paddles are also used in this game
Live Surprise: Paddle Sweep
The Paddle Sweep live auction game is another favorite. It is another way to bring in lots of donations quickly at the end of the night. After the live auction and giving moment have ended, the auctioneer announces that there is one final prize to give away. Everyone is asked to hold up their bid paddles. Volunteers walk around the tables with baskets to collect everyone’s bid paddle. Each paddle swept into the basket is a $100 donation. The volunteers bring all bid paddles to the stage and the auctioneer draws a winner. This is a fun way to end the evening and allows everyone to support your cause.
Why it works:
- Everyone gets one final chance to give.
- It ends your event on a high, fun note.
- Guests feel part of something exciting and generous.
Secrets for Success: Last Hero Standing And Paddle Sweep
Explain the Rules Clearly
Post them on screens and table cards. Have the auctioneer go over them from the stage.
Keep the Energy High
These games work best with music, humor, and a confident auctioneer. We love it when the DJ plays music during these games that amp up the audience!
Get Creative with Prizes
Offer prizes such as trips, gift cards, wine experiences, or tech items that appeal to everyone.
Why Live Auction Games Work
These games are:
- Quick to play
- Easy to run
- Proven to raise significant funds
- A great way to build suspense and excitement
They also allow guests at any giving level to participate, making your event inclusive and fun from start to finish.
Let Us Help You Plan Profitable Fundraiser Games
Ready to take your next fundraising event to the next level with exciting, profitable games? Contact us or schedule a free-consultation today and let our team help you plan fun, creative, and engaging Live Surprise Games that boost fundraiser profits and leave your guests raving.