For almost 20 years, Matchfire Auctions has been helping drive business and social impact by partnering with celebrities, brands, and nonprofits to raise funds and awareness for causes worldwide. Matchfire is eBay’s original online charity auction leader, working closely with eBay to help manage their high-level campaigns, connecting buyers and sellers to support charities around the world. Due to eBay’s brand power, highly trafficked platform, and dedicated team of experts, they are the largest e-commerce site raising funds for nonprofits. Matchfire helps to build cohesive and creative auction launches for eBay– from managing and developing the auctions to photography, customer service and fulfillment, and finally, completing the transfer to the winner, Matchfire has a dedicated team lead by experienced account managers.
Over the years, Matchfire has had the opportunity to help launch some very cool auctions ranging in all categories. One of Matchfire’s favorite nonprofit campaigns was the Kobe Bryant auction. In 2012, Matchfire auctioned off Kobe Bryant’s autographed face mask that he wore for 11 games during the 2011-2012 season after breaking his nose during the All-Star game. Raising over $65K, all of the proceeds benefitted the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation’s initiative to help eradicate homelessness in Los Angeles and garnered a lot of buzz in the media world.
Account manager, Miranda Mayes stated, “Kobe’s face mask became an iconic part of his story. Being a huge Lakers fan myself, and specifically a Kobe fan, this auction piqued my interest on a personal level. Not only were we auctioning off a unique item that was bound to intrigue a large number of people, but I also got to physically hold the item, which was pretty noteworthy.”
Matchfire also works with celebrity and entertainment campaigns. One celebrity campaign that stood out to our team was Ellen’s 2011 auction giving away a lock of Justin Beiber’s hair. Over $40k was raised for Gentle Barn, where they seek to open people’s hearts to the connections with nature.
On the entertainment side, Account Director Sara Beachler said the DC Entertainment “We Can Be Heroes” auction in 2013 was her favorite. “There were over 50 one of a kind art DC Comic themed art pieces, a standout item being the life-sized LEGO Catwoman sculpture.” The campaign raised over $79K split between 3 charities – Mercy Corps, Save the Children & International Rescue Committee.
From nonprofit to entertainment and celebrity auctions ran by eBay, Matchfire is there from conception to fulfillment and continues to strive to do work that has a greater impact on the world.