The Washington Post recently reported that "D.C. area’s United Way tightens requirements for charity funding." You can read the article yourself, but the crux of the message is that nearly 200 smaller charities are at risk for losing funding from the United Way of the National Capital Area because the United Way is changing how groups qualify to receive money. The United Way is asking these charities to take on more responsibility for their funding. Charities must raise $50,000 themselves, ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Where to get auction donations and goody bag ideas? Try HARO.
UPDATE: The call mentioned has passed. Stay abreast of future free trainings by subscribing to Benefit Auction Ideas. +++++++ I'm soon offering a call (on September 27, 2012) on auction procurement for live auctions, silent auctions, raffles, and goody bags. As a prelude to that call, here's a more unusual acquisitions tool most people don't even know exists. HARO. It stands for Help A Reporter Out. It started out as a simple, free listserve reporters would use to let subscribers ... Read On >
School auctions ideas: Use Pinterest to build interest
Pinterest is a social media site based on sharing photos. The tool’s demographic data indicates that Moms LOVE Pinterest. Perhaps because it’s easy to post content onto the site and let a snapshot tell the story. It goes without mention that a lot of moms also plan galas, and many actively seek new school auctions ideas. So why not let these creative women use their Pinterest “hobby” to broadcast the auction? (As a side, I wouldn’t suggest Pinterest as a “must have” auction marketing tool … ... Read On >
How to talk like an auctioneer – free training
UPDATE: The class mentioned has passed. To keep abreast of future calls, subscribe to Benefit Auction Ideas. ++++++ Do you know the question I'm most often asked? You might think it's a question about the benefit auction ... like, "How many items should go into our live auction," or, "Should we wait until dessert to start the live auction?" But it's none of those types of questions. Instead, I'm asked this: “Sherry, how did you learn to talk SO FAST?” Auctioneers are known for their ... Read On >
What NOT to do when the auction winner doesn’t pay
At a benefit auction a few years ago, a woman in the back enthusiastically bid in the live auction. She enjoyed bidding a little too much. After buying the trip to Hawaii, her husband let her have it -- verbally. In tears she told my auction team member that she couldn’t buy it. “Ma’am,” my team member gently reminded her, “You’ve already bought it.” “Sell it again,” she cried, “He’ll divorce me if I take it home.” Has this happened to you? If not, you just haven’t run enough benefit ... Read On >