![David Shankbone [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons](https://www.redappleauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/512px-Harvey_Weinstein_2010_Time_100_Shankbone-150x150.jpg)
In October 2017, the New York Times published a story detailing decades of allegations of sexual harassment against producer Harvey Weinstein. Throughout 2018, Weinstein has been in court fighting charges.This focuses on a less-publicized dealing -- funneling donations through a charity via its fundraising auction gala.AmFAR is the charity, and I feel badly for their leadership. You may also cringe when you read it.It's a story about a wealthy, headstrong donor directing a ... Read On >
Blog Post
4 ideas for handling auction donations that show up AT the event
Your auction catalog is printed. All items have attractive displays. Guests are arriving shortly.Lo and behold, a Board member/volunteer/parent arrives at registration with a last-minute donation. They'd been meaning to get this to you, but just didn't.What should you do?First, turn away as you roll your eyes.Second, consider these ideas. 1. Add the item to the live auction Here's a recent example from this past weekend.Upon arriving at the venue on Saturday night, I ... Read On >
List of 35 silent auction software vendors (including mobile bidding)
This is a good post to share with your other Gala Chairs who are seeking to invest or change their auction software, but don't know all the players.==============================It's been five years since I published a list of silent auction software vendors.Specifically it was a list of mobile bidding software vendors. Back then, mobile bidding had been growing in popularity. Sharing a list of companies selling the tool seemed like a good idea.I struggled with what to name ... Read On >
This auction bid card served many purposes: bid number, seating assignment, advertisement, and more
Here's a clever way to ensure guests keep their auction bid card as they mingle during the silent auction reception.One of my client's included key information on the back of each paddle.The guest's name Guest's table number Schematic diagram of the ballroom, with highlighting on the table at which the guest would be seated. (Notice that the guest's table is highlighted in yellow to make it easy for the guest to locate.) An introduction of the auctioneer Information about ... Read On >
Using the auction bid paddle as a sponsorship opportunity
Some nonprofits will print a guest's bid number on both sides of an auction bid paddle. The benefit of this approach is that regardless of which side of the paddle is shown to the auctioneer, the bid number is viewed.Another idea is to sell the space on the back of the bid paddle.The back of the bid paddle can be combined with other benefits and offered to a single sponsor at a high commitment level, or it can be sold as a standalone benefit to a company underwriting a specific ... Read On >