It's been about one month since COVID-19 checked into the gala scene and prompted a wave of cancellations and reschedules. In that short period of time, the ingenuity of our industry has been on full display. Virtual gala fundraisers are mutating more rapidly than the virus! In five weeks, virtual auction events have pivoted twice. 1. First they shifted from in-person galas to livestreams. Gala chairs hosted these high-tech, scaled-down events in traditional auction venues ... Read On >
Technology
Free webinar: Online “virtual gala” options and what’s best for you
More likely than not, you're reading this from the comfort of your own home. We are, as my friend Amy said, on forced sabbatical. It's not our ideal sabbatical, but here we are. During this imposed break, I've been following the journey of those I know who are ill, educating myself on virtual gala options, and working on other projects. ========================== Short on time? Click to register for my complimentary webinar. Date: Friday, March 27, 2020 at 1 PM Eastern Title: ... Read On >
Does mobile bidding raise more money in your silent auction (and other questions)
I worked a fundraising gala this weekend in Martha's Vineyard, MA and the nonprofit used mobile bidding in its silent auction. Because it's on my mind, today I'm addressing three conversations that often arise about mobile bidding. ============================= 1. "Mobile bidding" isn't synonymous to "nonprofit auction software." I know, the jargon is confusing. Better to say that mobile bidding is a feature of some nonprofit auction software platforms. Referring to them as the ... Read On >
Are fundraising online auctions going away? Probably not ….
In the auction industry, there are a few of us -- maybe 4 -- who consistently contribute to a blog. One writer is Mike Brandly in Ohio. Mike is primarily a commercial auctioneer who mostly pens about auction law. Many of his interesting articles aren't directly applicable to my narrow career niche, but he recently published a post I felt appropriate to share. A few days ago he wrote, "Are online auctions going away? Probably ..." He ponders the future of online auctions for commercial ... Read On >
List of 35+ silent auction software vendors (including mobile bidding vendors)
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 >