If a Kendra Scott jewelry store is in your area, call the community / charity relations contact in your local store. For the last two years, my clients have received generous donations from the retailer via its "Kendra Gives Back" program. Frankly, I haven't seen this kind of generosity since Keurig hit the market several years ago. Do you remember that? Not so long ago, every auction I worked had at least one Keurig coffee system in its silent auction. It was often accompanied by a ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
New idea for your silent auction or raffle: Surprise Box
I want to share a new idea for silent auctions or raffles. Let's kick it off with a related story. ============================ Many years ago, one of my clients was annoyed. She oversaw the fundraising for the local chapter of a national nonprofit. The national management team had recommended she and other fundraisers working in major cities change the model of their silent auction. This new silent auction model was based on the success another major metropolitan area had ... Read On >
Skip the silent auction; put your focus on the Fund a Need
Later this month (June 26, 2017) I'll be speaking at Planet Philanthropy, the annual statewide conference presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Florida Caucus. My topic will focus on Fund a Needs. As I prepare for that talk, I want to revisit a blog post I wrote for fundraising consultant Lori Jacobwith last year, when she asked me to speak to her Ignite Fundraising Club members in January 2016. Here's my take on why nonprofits – primarily smaller ones – should bypass ... Read On >
Carnival auction themes from school fundraisers
An elementary school client asked for some game and design ideas. She and her committee are considering a carnival-esque auction theme for their annual fundraiser next year. Imagine red and white stripes. Family entertainment. Festive games. Finger food. "Something to do for everyone," she concluded. Here are video clips I compiled over the last three years, each featuring a different school with a different theme, but yet all three auction themes have the vibe she ... Read On >
Reusable auction bid paddle sticks: Good for storage and sponsors
I have an old video (it was my first video ever) that educates on what makes for a good fundraising auction bid paddle. It's hideous. It has all the markings of a first-time video, including awkward speaking, less-than-perfect audio, and bad hair. But the content is good. Even 9 years later, people comment on the video, thanking me for the information that helped them decide on a good bid paddle for their fundraiser. One idea the video doesn't share is the idea of reusable bid ... Read On >