Last week across the newswire, I read an article about an Idaho athletic booster auction fundraiser that was small in size, but not by design: Blackfoot Broncos Annual Fundraiser Attendance Falls. The school's Booster Club, located in Blackfoot, ID (population ~11,000) was raising money for athletic programs. The booster auction usually brings in several thousand dollars. The Booster Club President suggests that the economy is to blame for the lower attendance and fewer donations, but a ... Read On >
Audience Development
VIDEO: Encouraging youth to attend your benefit gala
Most of our fundraising auctions have a median age of ... well, let's just say it's not 25. If you want to attract a younger demographic, watch the video for ideas on how to incorporate younger professionals into your guest count. Watch the video below. ... Read On >
Three silent auction ideas that pamper the 40+ crowd
A few weeks ago I was in the kitchen of a busy Rockville, MD home. Prior to starting the procurement meeting, the six Moms and I chatted about all sorts of matters, including being over the age of 40. If you're organizing a school auction, it's likely that your auction guests are nearing or hovering around that age. If you're a nonprofit silent auction, some of your guests may only vaguely remember their 40th birthday party. So if you want us to bid ... be kind. Here are three silent ... Read On >
How to plan your auction fundraiser for Gen X and Gen Y guests
Who is giving you the big bucks at your auction fundraiser? If your auction trends the way of many groups, your largest donors are likely 45+ years old. They are at least Baby Boomers, but most may be older. Certainly many of the most successful auctions I conduct are filled with 45+ year old guests. So what are you supposed to do if you're trying to hit a $40,000 goal and your room is filled with Gen X and Gen Y buyers? Can you hit your mark when young professionals dominate your ... Read On >
PODCAST: 12 ways to market your auction fundraiser using social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
If you're running an auction fundraiser, you hopefully have someone on your committee who has agreed to take on the role of publicity chair or marketing chair. Newer social media tools like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn can be used to get the word out about your gala ... so let's use 'em! (Facebook, in particular, is easy for auction committees to use.)I think it's easier to write content when you have a model to follow, so I've created 12 distinct posts for your publicity volunteer to use ... Read On >