This is why I hesitate to donate a quilt to anyone. I mean if all you hard work isn't even appreciated enough to actually earn some substancial funds (more than you have in it) in a silent auction, what's the point? I think in some part that is the fault of whoever is running the auction. They need to put a reserve on the quilt and not accept anything below that amount. When my Curves group were having a silent auction this year, that is one of the things they did on some of the more expensive items and people still bid on those items. If the organizers are not willing to do this, then I wouldn't bother.
I know we are suppose to give willingly and free of expectations but there has to be a limit sometimes.