General Auction Frequently Asked Questions

The Auction is one of many opportunities to support the OES Annual Fund which powers the unique-to-OES experiences that create lifelong impact: experiential learning adventures, innovative academic programs, and a beloved community that shapes tomorrow's purpose-driven leaders. This year we celebrate our 40th Annual Auction on March 14, 2026 at the Portland Art Museum, Mark Building beginning at 6 p.m.

The special appeal raises funds for OES's financial aid program.
 

To bid on an Auction Package, Class Art Project or to secure your spot in one or more Count-Me-In party or Night School events, you must log in to the online bidding site with your mobile phone number or email address via the link sent by OES. All auction bidding will be conducted through Greater Giving Online Bidding. Bidding will begin on March 6, 2026 and close the evening of March 14, 2026.
 
If you are attending the event in-person, you will receive a personalized bidding link via text message and email when the online auction opens on March 6. Please use the personalized bidding link to place all bids in the online auction.

If you are unable to attend the event in-person, you must log-in to the online bidding site with your mobile phone number or email address via the link sent by OES on March 6. You can register and bid anytime between March 6th and when online bidding closes on March 14th at 7:30p.m. You will be asked to register a credit card when registering and this card will be charged the week after the Auction. 

Click your personalized bidding link to go to the online bidding page. Use the ≡ to open the menu for Bids, Favorites, and Categories.

From there you can select: 

• Favorites - Packages that you're watching; 
• Bids - See Packages that you have bid on already, been outbid on, or purchased; 
• Act Now - Sort Packages quickly by No Bids, Currently Open, and more;
• Use the magnifying glass or scroll down to search for Packages.

Within a Package:

• Use the star ☆ to save Packages for later viewing;
• Bid - Place a single bid at the next increment;
• Bid More - Place a Max Bid. The system will bid in your favor until you are outbid or the auction closes;
• Buy Now - Purchase the Package;

Multi-Sale Packages like raffle tickets or count-me-in parties and night school events are sold at a set price rather than being bid on. Click Buy and then select the desired quantity.
 

Each year Lower School classes create dynamic art pieces for auction. These one-of-a-kind pieces are created with love by students Pre-K thru 1st Grade and coordinated by teachers, room coordinators, parents, and auction committee volunteers. These works of art will be on display at the Auction and are available to view and bid online.

Each year the auction committee secures donations for and coordinates fun private parties that our community is invited to participate in. These parties are hosted by community members throughout the school year and have a specific theme/focus, date, location, buy-in price and maximum guest count. Secure your spot for a memorable time with friends! Spots are available to purchase in the online auction.

Drawing to take place Saturday, March 14 and the winners do not need to be present to win. ​​Raffle tickets for a reserved parking space ($100; 150 tickets available) are available for purchase online. 

If you win an auction package, our team will contact you to arrange pick-up after Auction night on the OES campus.

Whether you attend in-person or participate online, we welcome donations to directly support OES's financial aid program. You can make your donation in-person at the event by raising your bid card when the auctioneer asks during the live program, or donate online anytime in the mobile bidding platform.  For donations above $1,000 you may choose to give by stock transfer, matching gifts or donor advised funds.

Auction - The sale of property that takes place in a public forum, involving open and competitive bidding.

Auctioneer - The person responsible for conducting a sale by auction. This person “calls” the property at an auction, recognizing bidders and acknowledging the highest bidder.

Bid - The signal to the auctioneer by a prospective buyer, indicating the specific amount buyer is willing to pay for the lot if buyer wins the bidding. Bids are legally binding.

Bid Number - The number issued to each person who registers at an auction.

Under Bidder - A term used to describe someone who bid the second highest amount, just below the winning bid, at auction.

Bid Card/Paddle - An object displaying the number assigned to a bidder when he/she registers at the auction. To place a bid, simply raise your paddle until the auctioneer acknowledges you. If you win the auction, your paddle number is recorded alongside your bid. 

Online Auction/Mobile Bidding - Auction that is held online through mobile devices.

Bid Increment - The amount by which the auctioneer increases the bidding. In general, the auctioneer will request bids of about 10% higher than the previous bid. The figure is generally rounded up or down at the auctioneer's discretion.

Buy Now - Purchase at a fixed price.

Bid Tracking - “Watch” a package to track it without placing a bid.

Proxy Bid - A method of bidding for those who cannot attend the auction. Proxy bids are also called absentee bids.

Paddle Raise/Special Appeal - Request for donations at a predetermined dollar amount. To participate, the bidder raises a Bid Card at a dollar amount announced by the auctioneer to make a donation. OES's Special Appeal is for flexible tuition.

Raffle - A type of contest where you purchase a ticket for a chance to win a prize.

Heads or Tails - Player pays $25 per person to play a game of chance. Everyone stands and competes to guess which side a coin will land. Players place their hands on either their head or tail. Auctioneer tosses a coin and announces heads or tails. Those eliminated sit down. Play continues until one person is left standing. Price for last person standing.

Wine Wall - Opportunity to choose a random bottle of wine from a wall or table. Bottle are sold for $25 per bottle. Value ranges from $25 to over $100.