A handful of the nonprofit galas I work have a dramatically diverse mix of guests. The crowd is comprised of three distinct groups: non-paying clients non-paying (or reduced-ticket-price) employees of the non-profit paying guests Although I can appreciate why a handful of non-paying/free guests might be allowed to attend (e.g. a reward to an employee, or asking someone to speak), a few of the nonprofit auctions I've worked have seen the majority of the attendees -- the majority! -- be ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Celebrity Charity – Enlisting Stars to Your Cause
Wondering how to get celebrities to your party? Occasionally I’ll have a conversation with a non-profit attempting to build awareness of their gala. They want to invite a well-recognized actor or musician to the event. The charity’s goal is multifaceted. The presence of a star could draw others to attend their gala The star himself might donate to the auction, thereby raising funds in a more direct way. The close passing of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - both active in ... Read On >
Making the best of a $250 bad situation
Lord & Taylor department store in Tyson's Corner, VA has a great selection of fine dresses. It's one of my favorite stores to shop when buying gowns and cocktail dresses for benefit auctions. During the store's May sale, I was in a hurry. I quickly scoured the racks, bought three dresses, and took them home. One of the gowns was a Donna Ricco one-shoulder dress. Normally I wouldn't buy a one-shoulder dress for work, and $250 is the top-end of what I'd pay, but it fit so well, hit at the ... Read On >
Benefit auction items: How to procure TV passes
One of the most popular types of benefit auction items I sell are those having to do with the entertainment industry, such as “behind the scenes” activities for television shows. When a show donates a "behind-the-scenes experience," it usually means that the winning bidder will get to watch a show being taped and perhaps a tour of the facility. For someone who hasn’t worked in the television industry, a taping can be exciting to watch. Here are some tips on securing these sought-after ... Read On >
Seven tips to raise more money in a fund a need
Many auction ideas can help you raise cash, but no other singular activity during your benefit auction will have more financial impact than the cash appeal. It can be such a cash cow that some of my clients have no live auction; they only conduct an appeal. The appeal goes by various names: fund a need, gift from the heart, or any of these other cash appeal names. Whatever you call it, there is a strict protocol to follow if you want to be successful. Here are seven pointers to executing a ... Read On >