Without a doubt, my pet peeve during a recession or general economic downturn is when the Executive Director, Auction Chair, or some other person of importance gets up to the microphone to say a few words at the benefit auction (e.g. thank sponsors and guests, etc.) and then -- immediately before I walk onstage -- pleads with the audience to "bid high, even though the economy is really bad right now." ARRRRGH! What are they doing?! Ladies and gentlemen, remember this: You will never, ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Research-related excursions as charity auction item ideas
Last week I participated on a webinar in which we talked about charity auction item ideas and how to strategically procure them. Since then, I've had procurement on my mind! One of the participants worked for an Alzheimer's-related non-profit. She asked for suggestions on items to sell which might bring awareness to her mission, and still be of interest to her audience. Off-the-cuff, I suggested she might want to offer an item that tied to the research of Alzheimer's. Someone might be ... Read On >
Fashion Week tickets are hot charity auction items
Here's a super hot idea for your charity auction items list. Fashionistas know that Fashion Week happens twice a year -- once in the spring (usually March) to showcase fall fashions, and again in the fall (usually September), to showcase spring fashions. It's held in several cities around the world (New York, Paris, Milan, London, etc.). I've only sold tickets to New York. The tickets sell for a few thousand dollars without hotel or transportation. Why are these tickets so desirable? And how ... Read On >
Economic recessions are a time to step up your auction game
In the fall of 2008, many clients started asking me about how the economy was affecting fundraising auctions. South Florida Urban Ministries was one of them. The economy was our first topic during our coaching session in January 2009. In the course of conversation, I talked about how a dip in the economy spurs some companies to new heights. I cited an example. A few weeks later, the Executive Director used that example in his quarterly letter to donors. Although it was a jolt to see my ... Read On >
Encouraging young professionals to attend your fundraising auction
I spent the last two days with Hannes Combest, President of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), at the ASAE Springtime Expo gala in Washington, D.C. The first night of the event, ASAE hosted an event targeting young professionals, which nowadays are also called Millennials because of their birth year. The reception reminded me of a trend I've seen with regards to fundraising auctions. Many of the galas I work have a population in the age range of 45+. Some galas skew much older. ... Read On >