I don't always open my Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) e-newsletter each month. This time, I couldn't click fast enough. The subject line was "Watch the demolition of an old power plant." If you're looking for some unique benefit auction item ideas, that's one! Imagine, the chance to watch -- live -- the destruction of the plant in a nearby (but protected) area. Maybe even the chance to walk around the grounds with FPL execs after the big blow-up. If FPL was a sponsor at any ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions Blog
Insurance for gala auction items and more
Last month, a 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle was stolen. The bike was painted pink and signed by a number of country music stars, such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Taylor Swift. Here's the kicker: It had been donated to be sold in a benefit auction to benefit the Lexington affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The bike had been stored inside a trailer secured by chains in the organization's parking lot. When employees returned to the office after the weekend, they ... Read On >
Happy Birthday to us – and a FREE Technology Teleclass for you
Red Apple Auctions turns five today. (It's a quiet celebration, as I'm out of town speaking in San Antonio, TX .) I still remember driving down to City Hall and completing the paperwork to "birth" my business. I'd decided it was time to get serious about my hobby. I brainstormed possible names (filling a whole page with ideas), did some research, let it sit with me to get an internal read on what felt right, and opted for "Red Apple Auctions." As clients referred us and as others found us ... Read On >
How to run your auction committee teleconference meetings
Hectic schedules being what they are, it's not uncommon for non-profit or school auction committees to meet via teleconference. And if you've got a group larger than 3 people, your phone's conference call option might not be an option. Consider these tips for meeting via phone. Use a free teleconference service With free teleconference services available, why not use them? Having the same number to dial into for each auction committee meeting adds professionalism and order to your planning. ... Read On >
Catchy video on the size of the nonprofit sector
Although this catchy video isn’t specific to charity auctions, it is specific to the nonprofit sector. As gala auctions are part of that industry, I wanted to include it here. I think that anyone working in the nonprofit industry will be fascinated with this information. As I watched the video with an eye-towards-auctions, here are some of the facts that grabbed my attention: 83% of donations are made by individuals. No doubt some of those individuals were auction guests who bought a ... Read On >