Last week I created a "Virtual Gala Cheat Sheet" for a webinar. Renee Zau of DonationMatch had asked a client and I to participate on a webinar for the San Diego chapter of the American Marketing Association. The topic was "Virtual Fundraising Events That Work: Best Practices and Trends." If you've participated in my free "The Next 6 Months" conversation series on COVID-19 and galas, you are probably further along in your understanding than what the Virtual Gala Cheat Sheet offers. Even ... Read On >
Technology
First, the virtual auctioneer. Then the auction software.
Occasionally I'll visit with a nonprofit seeking to hire both a virtual auctioneer and invest in some new auction software. Which hire should happen first: Should they lock in the fundraising auctioneer they want to hire? Or sign a contract for the auction software? There's no question in my mind -- LOCK IN THE VIRTUAL AUCTIONEER! There are some solid reasons as to why I suggest this approach, and I talk about them in today's blog post video. Watch it below. P.S. ... Read On >
How a small nonprofit converted to a virtual gala in 8 days
I've heard from some auction planners who feel they need several weeks to ramp up to a virtual gala. Not necessarily. One small nonprofit managed to pivot to virtual in 8 days by investing in my Virtual Gala Fundraiser in a Box program. They signed on Thursday. We had a meeting on Friday, before the long Memorial Day weekend. Bam! The following Saturday, they held their first virtual gala. Isn't that impressive? At the virtual gala, they had their largest attendance ... Read On >
Virtual Gala Fundraiser – WHY are you having your auction?
Whether you're considering hosting a virtual gala fundraiser or a traditional in-person auction event, the most important question you must ask yourself is this: WHY are we holding this event? Do you have a purpose? Objectives? Goals? Is it to pay tribute to a big donor? Enlarge your community base? Celebrate a success? Hard core fundraising? Do you have 6 goals, which typically means you do none well? In short, you need to get clear on WHY you are bothering to ... Read On >
Virtual Gala Fundraiser – Your plan for the next 6 months
COVID-19 abruptly shut down the fundraising galas of schools and nonprofits this spring. Is a virtual gala fundraiser your only option? Online we can read reports that show conservative scientific models impacting society for months. Others offer more hopeful predictions of what could happen. And some wonder if we re-open society too soon, the consequences could be severe, possibly leading to yet another shutdown again this fall. The only certainty is that it's all a big unknown. ... Read On >