MOBILE BIDDING INFO & FAQs


This year, the Kate Ireland Dinner & Auction is moving to mobile bidding through GiveSmart!

Mobile bidding makes it easy to browse auction items, place bids, receive outbid notifications, and keep up with your favorite items right from your phone.

You do not have to attend the event to participate in the SILENT AUCTION! If you have friends or family who are unable to attend but would like to bid, please feel free to share the auction website and registration information with them. The LIVE AUCTION will be held in person only. Live auction items will be available to preview online prior to the event, but bidding will take place exclusively in person during the Kate Ireland Dinner & Auction. 


Proxy Bidding by the Development Office

If you wish to have the Development Office bid for you during our LIVE Auction, please contact the Development Director, Crystal Rice (850) 545-2162/ cdrice@talltimbers.org or the Development Coordinator, Hannah Miller, (850) 893-4153, x249/ hmiller@talltimbers.org.

Credit Card and Maximum bid required. Should you become the winning bidder, your card will be charged the night of the live event and a receipt will be sent via email.


HOW TO REGISTER FOR MOBILE BIDDING

Registering ahead of time will make bidding quick and easy.


Already Registered for the Kate Ireland Dinner & Auction?

If you have already purchased a ticket, are attending as a sponsor or sponsor guest, or have otherwise been registered for the event, you may already have a GiveSmart account associated with your information.

Use the link sent to your phone to access your existing registration rather than creating a second account.


Register by Text

  1. Text KateIreland2026 to 76278.
  2. You will receive a text message with a link to the Kate Ireland auction.
  3. Click the link and follow the prompts to register or access your GiveSmart account.
  4. Enter or confirm your contact information, including your mobile phone number and email address.
  5. Add a credit card to your account. A credit card number is required to be on file to participate in mobile bidding. Your card will not be charged simply for registering or placing a bid.
  6. Be sure to opt in to text messages. This is how GiveSmart will notify you if you are outbid, when the auction is closing, and if you win and item.
  7. Follow the prompts to complete your registration.


Register Through the Auction Website

  1. Visit the Kate Ireland auction website: https://KateIreland2026.givesmart.com
  2. Select Register to Participate.
  3. Enter your first name, last name, email address, and mobile phone number.
  4. Add a credit card to your account. A credit card number is required to be on file to participate in mobile bidding. Your card will not be charged simply for registering or placing a bid.
  5. Follow the prompts to access your GiveSmart account.
  6. Be sure to opt in to text message notifications.
  7. Complete the remaining registration steps.


HOW TO PLACE A BID

Once the auction is open, there are two easy ways to access items and start bidding.


From Your Text Messages (Reccomended)

  1. Open the GiveSmart link sent to your phone.
  2. Select Items to view the auction.
  3. Browse the available items or search for a specific item.
  4. Select the item you are interested in to see photos, details, restrictions, and the current bid.
  5. GiveSmart will display the next available bid amount. You can bid that amount or enter a higher amount.
  6. Select Bid to submit your bid.
  7. GiveSmart will confirm when your bid has been successfully placed.


From the Auction Website

  1. Visit the Kate Ireland auction website: https://kateireland2026.givesmart.com/
  2. Sign in to your GiveSmart account.
  3. Select Items.
  4. Browse by item category, or search for a specific item.
  5. Select an item to view its details and current bid.
  6. Enter your bid and select Bid.
  7. You will receive confirmation when your bid has been accepted.


Important: If another bidder submites the same amount immediately before you, your bid may not be accepted. If that happens, simply enter the next available bid amount and try again.


HOW AUTO-BID WORKS

Have your eye on something but don't want to keep checking your phone all night? Auto Bid can do the work for you.


  1. Select the item you would like to bid on.
  2. Choose Auto Bid.
  3. Enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for the item.
  4. GiveSmart will automatically place bids on your behalf as other bids are received.
  5. Your bid will only increase as needed and will never exceed the maximum amount you entered.


For example, if the current bid is $200 and you set an Auto Bid of $500, GiveSmart will not automatically bid $500. It will continue bidding for you in the required increments until you are either the leading bidder or your $500 maximum has been reached. Your maximum Auto Bid amount is not displayed to other bidders.


WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM OUTBID?


GiveSmart will keep you updated throughout the auction. If another bidder places a higher bid, you will receive a text message letting you know that you have been outbid. 

Simply click the link in the text message to return to the item and place another bid.

You may also see a Losing indicator on items where you are no longer the highest bidder.

If you are not receiving text notifications, check your GiveSmart profile to make sure:

  • Your mobile phone number is correct.
  • You have opted in to receive text messages.


HOW TO CHECK YOUR BIDS


You don't have to remember every item you've bid on.

While logged in to GIveSmart, you can view the items you are currently bidding on and see whether you are winning or losing each item.

We reccomend checking your bids periodically as the auction gets closer to closing, especially for items you don't want to miss!


HOW WILL I KNOW IF I WON?


When the silent auction closes, the highest bidder on each item will be the winner.

If you win an item, GiveSmart will send you a text message notification letting you know you won.

You can also sign in to your GiveSmart account to review your winning items and purchases.


HOW TO CHECK OUT

If you win an auction item, you can complete checkout directly through GiveSmart.

Paying by Credit Card

  1. Open the text message from GiveSmart or sign in to your account.
  2. Select Pay to view your purchase summary.
  3. Review your winning items and total balance.
  4. Follow the prompts to complete payment using the credit card on file.
  5. Once payment is complete, you will be able to view your receipt.


Prefer to Pay by Check?

If you would like to pay for your auction purchases by check, please do not complete the credit card payment through GiveSmart.

Visit the Tall Timbers checkout area (registration tent) before leaving the event and let a staff member know you would like to pay by check. We will assist you with checkout and provide your total amount due.

Please make checks payable to Tall Timbers Foundation.

Please note: A credit card is still required to be on file in GiveSmart in order to participate in mobile bidding, even if you plan to pay by check.


FAQs


Do I need to download an app to bid?

No. There is no app to download! GiveSmart works directly through your phone's web browser. Simply follow the link sent to your phone or visit the Kate Ireland auction website to access the auction.


I already registered for the Kate Ireland Dinner & Auction. Do I need to register again to bid?

No. If you are already registered for the event, you do not need to create another account. Use the GiveSmart link sent to your phone to access your existing registration and complete your bidder information.


Do I need a credit card on file to bid?

Yes. A credit card number is required to be on file in GiveSmart to participate in mobile bidding. Your card will not be charged simply for registering or placing a bid.


Can I pay by check?

Yes. If you prefer to pay for your auction purchases by check, please do not complete the credit card payment through GiveSmart. Visit the Tall Timbers checkout area before leaving the event and let a staff member know you would like to pay by check.

Please make checks payable to Tall Timbers Foundation.

A credit card is still required to be on file in GiveSmart in order to participate in mobile bidding.


Do I have to attend the event to bid in the Silent Auction?

No! You can participate in the Silent Auction from anywhere. Simply register through GiveSmart to browse items, place bids, set Auto Bids, and receive bidding notifications from your phone.

Feel free to share the auction website and registration information with friends and family who are unable to attend but would like to bid.


Can I bid remotely on Live Auction items?

No. The Live Auction will be held in person only. Live Auction items will be available to preview online prior to the event, but bidding will only be available to guests attending the Kate Ireland.

However, if you wish to place a proxy bid on your behalf, please contact the Development Director, Crystal Rice at (850) 545-2162 or cdrice@talltimbers.org.


When does the Silent Auction open?

The silent auction will open October 1st.

All bids must be submitted through GiveSmart before the auction closes. We recommend keeping an eye on your favorite items as the closing time approaches!


How will I know if I've been outbid?

If you have opted in to receive text messages, GiveSmart will send you a text notification when you are outbid. Simply click the link in the message to return to the item and place another bid.


How will I know if I won an item?

Once the Silent Auction closes, winning bidders will receive a notification from GiveSmart. You can also log into your account to view your winning items and purchases.


How do I pay for the items I win?

If you are paying by credit card, you can review your purchases and complete payment directly through GiveSmart using the Pay option.

If you would like to pay by check, please do not complete payment through GiveSmart. Visit the Tall Timbers checkout area and let a staff member know you would like to pay by check.


Where do I pick up the items I win?

Guests attending the event can pick up their winning items at the auction checkout and pickup area after checkout is complete.


What if I am bidding remotely and win an item?

A member of the Tall Timbers team will contact remote winning bidders following the event to coordinate pickup or delivery of their winning item(s), as applicable.

Please review the full description of each item before bidding, as some items may have specific pickup, delivery, or shipping restrictions.


What if I'm not receiving text messages from GiveSmart?

Make sure the mobile phone number associated with your GiveSmart account is correct and that you have opted in to receive text messages.

If you are attending the event and still need assistance, find a Tall Timbers staff member and we will be happy to help.


What if my phone dies or I need help placing a bid?

Don't worry! Tall Timbers staff will be available throughout the event to assist with bidder registration, mobile bidding, account questions, and checkout. Just find a member of our team and we will be happy to help.