If you're looking to buy fundraising auction software, here's a list of current vendors. Software is helpful for managing and tracking ticket sales and sponsorships, organizing silent auction and live auction donations and packages, tracking fund a need / paddle raise donations, and more. And if you want to offer mobile bidding, I think nearly all of these vendors now offer that as a feature, too. Larger organizations then dump the data from their auction software into their CRM or donor ... Read On >
Administration
How I remember donor names at the auction gala to carry the conversation forward
How to remember donor names at the auction gala Over time I've learned methods to remembering names -- rhymes, association, repetition. My memory has never been perfect but I've managed well enough. These days -- likely due to a combination of age, too many life tasks, and the volume of people I meet -- I've struggled.. Each year brings new Gala Chairs, committee members, Board members, donors, and guests. The following year, I want to remember those returning people *and* meet new ... Read On >
Auction galas are team sports; not solo competitions
I had a client who had a great auction in year #1 of working with them, but year #2 was … blah. The auction wasn’t horrible, but it didn’t hit where I think it should have, given the big gains we saw in year #1. In my estimation, the reason for the change came down to one thing: Resting on one’s laurels. Instead of putting forth the same effort applied in year #1, the client took the attitude that since the auction was so much better in year #1, I would lead it to the same success in year ... Read On >
In a crisis? Update your auctioneer before the gala.
I've made my share of embarrassing gaffs onstage at fundraising galas. Most of them were my own fault. Other times, I felt like any awkwardness could have been avoided, had the nonprofit been upfront with me about internal issues. Life isn't a bowl of cherries. Bad situations happen. Even nonprofits with great missions and stellar achievement records can find themselves in a situation that is uncomfortable, at best. Financial mismanagement. Leadership debacles. Internal strife. ... Read On >
Three memorable ways to thank auction donors
Though I have talked before about the need to thank auction donors, I don't recall ever sharing these three tools, which make the "thank" pretty darn memorable. Video resources Text tools Phone ideas This video was shot, edited, and uploaded at the airport, so the sound isn't ideal but the content is solid. https://youtu.be/hYG2PyT0Y5g ... Read On >