What is an Auction in Argenta?

An auction in Argenta is a fundraising tool for running online silent auctions, charity auctions, and bidding events to raise money.

Key features

• Online bidding: supporters register and place bids on a public auction form, with a card kept on file.
• Item management: add items with photos, descriptions, values, and starting bids, and choose which ones show on the public form.
• Bid tracking: watch every bid and see the winning bidder on each item.
• Financial tracking: track projected and actual income, expenses, and sponsorships.
• Campaign and event links: connect an auction to a fundraising campaign and an event for consolidated reporting.

Each feature above has its own tab in the Auction Workspace.

Each tab of the Auction Workspace has a short Show Me How To Use This Page video at the top right; click it to watch, and use its chapters to jump to the part you need.

Auction statuses

• New: created but not yet set up.
• Pending Approval: awaiting approval to proceed.
• In Planning: setting up items and details.
• Bidding Open: live and accepting bids.
• Bidding Closed: the bidding period has ended.
• Complete: finished and settled. Argenta sets it for you once the winners are awarded and billed. While any silent item still has a bid that has not been awarded, or a winner who has not been charged or sent their invoice, you cannot choose it yourself; choose Bidding Closed to stop bidding instead.
• On Hold: paused for now. An auction On Hold, or Canceled, is not closed at its end time, so nobody is charged or invoiced.
• Canceled: called off.

Status is set on the Auction Details tab. The list scrolls for the rest.

Common uses

• Annual gala silent auctions
• Online-only charity auctions
• Event-based fundraising auctions
• Item-donation auctions