Can you sell tickets to your virtual gala? Can you charge people to attend a virtual fundraiser? Will they come? ===================== When virtual galas started in March 2020, they were an emergency response to statewide lock downs. Those events scheduled early in the COVID-19 crisis (March through early May) were actively selling tickets and tables to their gala fundraiser. When nonprofits cancelled the gala or shifted to a virtual event, most reached out to ticket-holders to ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
The nonprofit winners and losers of COVID-19
On June 4 The Chronicle of Philanthropy published Michael Theis' article, "Trust in Nonprofits Rises as Confidence in Government Covid Response Slides." Two of the survey results shared are of interest to those working with auction gala fundraisers. 1. Donors are beginning to grow weary of appeal requests. In two different recent discussions with nonprofit fundraisers Gail Perry and Pamela Grow, I advocated that summer - June, July, or August - is a great time for virtual auction ... Read On >
How a small nonprofit converted to a virtual gala in 8 days
I've heard from some auction planners who feel they need several weeks to ramp up to a virtual gala. Not necessarily. One small nonprofit managed to pivot to virtual in 8 days by investing in my Virtual Gala Fundraiser in a Box program. They signed on Thursday. We had a meeting on Friday, before the long Memorial Day weekend. Bam! The following Saturday, they held their first virtual gala. Isn't that impressive? At the virtual gala, they had their largest attendance ... Read On >
Virtual gala fundraiser: Understanding attendance
On Friday, I conducted my third webinar-styled virtual gala fundraiser. This one was hosted on a beefed-up "Zoomzilla" platform. From a fundraising perspective, the program included a live auction with active bidding and a fund a need / special appeal. During the 2-hour show, guests played games, watched mission-driven videos, and socialized in break-out rooms. Guests saw all other guests in small windows on their screen. Some held signs and props in front of their camera for others ... Read On >
Goodbye 2020 in-person fundraising gala. Hello virtual gala fundraiser.
Over the last two months, thousands of spring gala chairs collectively sighed relief when they finally – FINALLY – found a new autumn date that worked for their chosen venue, caterer, auctioneer, and band. “We’ve postponed,” they told donors, “so we can gather together in person this fall.” This is painful to type, but I don’t think your autumn event is going to happen. Or if it does, it will be a washed out version of past years. (I hope I’m wrong.) I don't know your unique ... Read On >