Raise the Roof 2025

Live & Silent Auction Info & FAQs

How to Register:

The first, and most important part of participating in Wichita Habitat for Humanity's Raise the Roof Silent Auction is to register.

To register:

Click on "Sign In or Register" button on the top right of this event website or if you are currently in an item preview, click "REGISTER NOW" or "Sign In" to appropriately create or log into an account.
Create an account by entering in the appropriate details, such as your first name, last name, mobile phone, email address, and create your username and password. You may also be able to enter other information, such as your mailing address.
View and read GiveSmart's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Then checkmark the box.
If you would like to opt-in for text messages, checkmark the Text Messages box. This is how you can receive notifications on bids, purchases and other information about the event. Messages and data rates may apply.
Click the "Create my GiveSmart account" button to continue.
Click the OK within the All Set Message to complete your registration.

How to Preview the Auction:

You can preview the silent and live auction items, along with our vote items and raffle item at any point in time. On your mobile browser or desktop, click "Items" on the event website (rtr2025.givesmart.com), you can also click "VIEW ITEMS" underneath Browse, Bid, & Raise the Roof of the event website.

On our Raise the Roof website, you can use the navigation menu to go to the Silent and Live Auction, as well as checking out the instant items (the $100 Mystery Toolboxes) and raffle item (the Necklace Raffle).

How to Place a Bid:

After registering with the steps above, you can place a bid one of two ways:

Via Text:

Once the silent auction is live (on Sept. 19), you will receive a text message with a blue link directing you to the auction page.
Select on the item of interest to view the description and the current bid.
Choose to bid at the system's set amount or type in a higher amount and click the "Bid" button.
If your bid was accepted, a box will appear congratulating you on the leading bid.
If your bid was not accepted, someone else may have entered the same bid right before you. Simply hit the back button and enter a higher bid.

Via Website:

Once the silent auction is live (on Sept. 19), select the Items tab at the top of this website. Once there, you can search by item name or category.
Select on the item of interest to view the description and the current bid.
Choose to bid at the system's set amount or type in a higher amount and click the "Bid" button.
If your bid was accepted, a box will appear congratulating you on the leading bid.
If your bid was not accepted, someone else may have entered the same bid right before you. Simply hit the back button and enter a higher bid.

Auto-Bids

You also have the option to place an auto-bid. This will automatically place a bid for you up to a certain level when someone outbids you.

Select the "Auto Bid" tab.
Input the maximum amount you are willing to pay for that item and click the "Bid" button.
If you are outbid, another bid will be made on your behalf up to the maximum amount that you entered.

Note: If you are outbid at any time, you will receive a text message notification¹ and a "Losing" banner will appear across the item. Message and data rates may apply.

How to Checkout:

When you win an auction item, you will receive a text message¹ after 7:30 p.m. CDT on Friday, September 26 congratulating you on your win! There are a few different ways to pay for your winnings and check out:

Via Text:

You will receive a text message¹ congratulating you on your winnings. Click the link within your text message to be directed to your personal payment page.
Review your cart and select the "Click Here to Pay" button. Please double-check your cart carefully. Any added instant buys, vote items, and/or raffle entries are subject for purchase if you have added them to your cart. Please contact Wichita Habitat for Humanity if you need additional assistance with payment options or have errors in your cart.
You can either use the credit card information you added upon registration or enter new card information.
Once payment is complete, a red PAID stamp will be placed on your order summary. You can email the receipt to the email address on file or download it.

Via Website:

Select the Pay tab at the top of this website.
Review your purchase summary and select the "Click Here to Pay" button. Please double-check your cart carefully. Any added instant buys, vote items, and/or raffle entries are subject for purchase if you have added them to your cart. Please contact Wichita Habitat for Humanity if you need additional assistance with payment options or have errors in your cart.
You can either use the credit card information you added upon registration or enter new card information.
Once payment is complete, a red PAID stamp will be placed on your order summary. You can email the receipt to the email address on file or download it.

After the silent auction closes and you have paid for your item, a representative from Wichita Habitat for Humanity will be in contact with you to coordinate receiving your auction winnings. For this reason, please make sure that your contact information is up-to-date and accurate when you registered for your account. You can easily update your account information by clicking your profile on the top right.

¹ You must be opting in for text message notifications on your account. If you are not opted in, you will not receive notifications. Go to your Profile to or click "Receive Messages" and checkmark "Subscribe to text messages from this campaign."

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I preview the auction items?

- You can easily preview the live and silent auction items prior to this year's Raise the Roof by clicking on the Items tab on this website. You will also be able to view other instant buys, vote items, and raffle entries.

When will bidding begin and when does the silent auction close?

- The silent auction will open at 9 a.m. CDT on Friday, September 19 and close at 7:30 p.m. CDT on Friday, September 26.

Registered bidders will receive some text notifications when they have been outbid or if they are watching an item. Also, some alerts will go out as the end of the auction nears. Messages and data rates may apply.

How does the silent auction work?

- We will be using mobile bidding once the silent auction opens on Friday, September 19. You will be able to use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to keep up with the status of your bids and continue bidding until the auction closes on Friday, September 26. You can be the winning bidder from where ever you are in the world! Terms and conditions of item delivery will apply.

How do I participate in the silent auction?

- Get started online on this website! Just click "Sign In or Register Now" button on the top right of this website and either sign into your account or register for an account. Credit card information is required to place a bid.

How do I reset my username and password?

- If you need to reset your username and password, here are the easy steps:

Click "Sign In or Register" button on the top right of this event website.
Click "Forgot Username or Password."
Enter either your mobile phone number or email used with your registration. If you are attending Raise the Roof, please ensure that your ticket is associated with that account.
Click "Request Password Reset."
Update your username and/or password and click "Save and Sign In."
Once updated and saved, you will be able to participate in the silent auction and other activities.

If you need additional assistance, there is a live chat button on the bottom left of the screen that is available most hours of the day.

How do I start and continue my bidding?

- Browse the silent auction and start bidding on your favorite items! Use the "Watch Item" feature, place your bid on selected items, or a set a maximum bid if desired using our auto-bid feature. The auto-bid will allow GiveSmart to keep you in the running lead until you reach your maximum bid.

How can I keep active and know if I am outbid or have won an item?

- You will be notified via text if you have been outbid. Keep an eye on your favorite items! If you are NOT receiving the text messages, make sure you have the correct mobile phone number under your profile and that you are opting into the text messages. You can easily update this by clicking on your profile icon on the top right, correcting your mobile phone in your profile, and checkmark "Subscribe to text messages from this campaign." The texts will continue to notify you when you have been outbid or reached your maximum bid. You will receive other notifications from our event as well. When the silent auction closes, you will also receive a text message if you have won any items. Message and data rates may apply.

Why do I need to put my credit card on file?

- Credit cards are required to ensure all pledged proceeds are received by Wichita Habitat for Humanity.

If you did not add a credit card when registering, you will be prompted to do so when you make your first bid or instant buy purchase. Once you log into GiveSmart, you will be add or remove credit cards attached to your user account at any time.

How do I bid anonymously?

- ALL BIDS ARE SET TO BE SEEN ANONYMOUSLY TO THE PUBLIC. Only you will see your name on the list of bidders and others will show as anonymous. So there is no need to make up nicknames to be mysterious. Of course, for contact purposes, Wichita Habitat for Humanity will require name and contact information, but will not be given your credit card information.

How will I know if I won an item?

- Winners will be notified via text after the live auction closes after 7:30 p.m. CDT on Friday, September 26.

Information about auction item pickup will be emailed the following business day. Most items will be distributed to those who are in attendance. If you are not in attendance at Raise the Roof, a Wichita Habitat for Humanity representative will be in contact to coordinate the delivery of your item. Not all items can be physically delivered and pick-up at our program office may need to be coordinated.

How will I obtain an item I won?

- An email will be sent out to winning bidders shortly after the auction closes. We may be able to mail or email you a winning certificate or gift certificate; however, physical auction items may not be mailed or shipped and would require pick up from our program office. Some exceptions may apply. Wichita Habitat for Humanity may schedule pick-up times for auction items, so please read your winning alerts carefully. Feel free to contact us to arrange a time to pick up your item at Wichita Habitat for Humanity by calling us at (316) 269-0755 or email [email protected] to arrange or for more information.

For certificate items, winners must contact donors to redeem prizes in a timely manner. We encourage redemption of any experience or service prior to its expiration date. Contact information will be provided.

The dates and times of "mutually agreed upon" prizes should be arranged directly between the donor and the buyer, not through Wichita Habitat for Humanity.

Non-digital certificates and gift cards are original documents and cannot be replaced if lost.

How come I cannot bid a live auction item?

- Live auction items are only available during the time of a live auction session at Raise the Roof. You will only be able to bid during that time.

What is a raffle item?

- Courtesy of Randy Cooper's Fine Jewelry, we will be raffling an 18K Rose-Gold Cubini Necklace, which each raffle entry will be $25. You can also enter five (5) times for $100, increasing your chances to bring home this exquisite necklace!

Anything else?

- Wichita Habitat for Humanity has the option to withdraw and/or make changes to any item from the auction at any time. Items are subject to change without notice. If this happens while bidding is taking place, bidders will be alerted.