Spend a few hours with your favorite celebrity, score a one-of-a-kind memento, AND benefit a charity in the process – too good to be true? Not so on eBay, where celebrities and iconic brands routinely use the eBay platform to auction off items and experiences to benefit charities and further engage with their fans.
Here, we list 22 of the most memorable items sold on eBay by pop culture icons to benefit a charity of their choice. Visit the eBay Charity Shop to see the once-in-a-lifetime experiences and other celebrity items being sold right now on eBay.
You don’t have to be a celebrity to support charity on eBay. Any eBay buyer or seller who adds a charity to their profile before December 27 will be eligible to win a $2,500 eBay shopping spree, while charities with the most new favorites will win up to $25,000. Go to www.ebay.com/mfc to add your favorite today. Both you and your favorited charity will be entered to win!
$3,456,789: Warren Buffett Power Lunch
The annual auction for lunch with Warren Buffett has benefited the GLIDE Foundation, which helps the poor in San Francisco. In 2012, the auction fetched a record $3,456,789. This year, eBay helped GLIDE pass the $20,000,000 in funds raised mark through this annual campaign.
$744,000: Annual ESPN ESPY Day auctions
In 2015, the ESPN Radio’s 11th annual ESPY Day Auction raised over $770,000, benefiting the V Foundation. The auction included tickets to prime sporting events, behind-the-scenes experiences, autographic memorabilia, and more.
$51,463: Star Wars: Force for Change one-of-a-kind designed Stormtrooper helmets
This charitable initiative from Disney and LucasFilm auctioned off unique Stormtrooper helmets designed by select artists using different mediums. Over 100 helmets were auctioned in 2015 to benefit UNICEF and raised over $51,463.
$227,552: Eminem X Air Jordan X Carhartt shoe collaboration
Hip-hop artist Eminem teamed with the Jordan Brand and Carhartt to create a limited edition shoe in 2015. Ten pairs of the sneakers were auctioned off for a total of $227,552, benefiting the Literacy Through Songwriting Program by the MSU Community Music School-Detroit.
$236,100: 1976 Apple 1 computer from Steve Jobs’ garage
From The First Apple Collection, a rare Apple 1 computer and other vintage Apple items were auctioned in 2015 to benefit the ALS Association. These items raised $236,100.
$44,100: Pharrell’s 2014 GRAMMY hat
Pharrell Williams auctioned the Vivienne Westwood hat he wore at the 2014 GRAMMY’s to benefit From One Hand To Another. Arby’s won the oversized hat, which raised $44,100.
$60,658: Lady Gaga’s Harpers Bazaar cover shoot wardrobe
Known for her outrageous outfits, Lady Gaga’s Harpers Bazaar cover shoot wardrobe, along with autographed copies of the magazine, were auctioned to benefit the Born This Way Foundation in 2014. This auction raised $60,658.
$40,000: Jimmy Kimmel’s Suit of the Loom
Kids all over the U.S. sent Jimmy Kimmel the rubber loom bands which were used to make this one-of-a-kind suit in 2014. The suit was auctioned to benefit the MaxLove Project, raising a total of $40,000.
$162,440: Honda motorbike from the James Bond film, Skyfall
Remember the motorcycle that Daniel Craig rode in the opening chase sequence of "Skyfall"? Honda's U.K. division donated the CRF250R motorbike to benefit BBC Children in Need. The 2012 auction raised £101,400 (or $162,400 at the exchange rate at the time).
$70,000: Ellen DeGeneres’ items from her closet
Whatcha Sellin’ Ellen? In this 2009 auction, Ellen Degeneres cleaned out her closet and ran a series of online auctions to benefit the Humane Society of the United States. The auction generated $70,000.
$102,000: Dinner with President Clinton
Former President Clinton donated a private tour of the Clinton Presidential Library, followed by a gourmet dinner in 2010. He also donated used golf clubs and a saxophone. The proceeds benefited the Clinton Foundation, raising $102,000.
$500,000: Blade servers from Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft
Fans got a chance to own a piece of Blizzard Entertainment history in this auction. 2000 blade servers were auctioned to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2011, bringing in $500,000.
$500,000: Jay Leno’s Harley-Davidson signed by celebrities
In 2005, Jay Leno’s Harley Davidson fetched $500,000, with the proceeds going to the Red Cross Victims of 9/11. The motorcycle was emblazoned with the autographs of show guests such as Samuel L. Jackson, Billy Crystal, Denzel Washington, Ellen DeGeneres, Ben Affleck, Tori Amos, Reese Witherspoon, Tyra Banks, Sylvester Stallone and more.
$220,000: Gwen Stefani private meeting and front-row tickets
For her second concert tour in 2007, Gwen Stefani auctioned off this VIP package, which included front-row tickets, a backstage meeting, autographed CDs, and premium concert tour t-shirts. The auction raised $220,000, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Orange County & Orangewood Children’s Foundation.
$170,000: Elton John's iconic red grand piano
The famous grand piano named “Fiona” was auctioned off by Elton John to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 2007. The touring piano had appeared with John during several performances. It was bought by Sharon Stone for $170,000.
$162,840: Hermes Birkin bag, signed by Jane Birkin
Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, an iconic "Birkin bag," signed by the British actress Jane Birkin, was auctioned by EMI Music to benefit the British Red Cross for relief efforts. The auction raised £100,100 (or $162,840 at the exchange rate at the time).
$67,100: Kobe Bryant-autographed face mask
For more than a month, Kobe Bryant wore a protective face mask after Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade broke his nose during the All Star Game in Orlando in February 2012. The mask was sold on eBay in May 2012 with proceeds benefiting the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. One lucky fan won it for $67,100.
$28,689: Brad Pitt’s famous friends donate items for charity auction
After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Brad Pitt established Make It Right to build new homes in the neighborhood. Pitt enlisted his friends in 2012 to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences, with all proceeds benefitting the organization. Together, they raised: $28,689.
$18,200: Meet and Greet with Howard Stern
In 2013, the winning bidder got to spend time in the studio with the King of All Media for $18,200. Proceeds benefited the Holly Heisman Memorial Fund.
$130,000: Custom KISS inspired Mini Coopers
One Mini Cooper designed to look like each member of KISS was auctioned to benefit UNICEF in 2013. Total funds raised: $130,000.
$193,553: FIATs for Charity
Nine FIAT 500e cars were autographed by celebrities and auctioned to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund in 2013, raising a total of $193,553.
$89,408: Blake Shelton and Friends: Healing in the Heartland
Following the tornadoes in Moore, OK, singer Blake Shelton and friends sponsored “Healing in the Heartland” auctions to benefit United Way of Central Oklahoma. The 2013 effort raised $89,408.
This year alone, eBay for Charity celebrity fundraisers have already generated over $8.8M in donations. If you or your favorite charity is interested in organizing an eBay for Charity celebrity fundraiser, contact us at charityteam@ebay.com!