Can you sell tickets to your virtual gala? Can you charge people to attend a virtual fundraiser? Will they come? ===================== When virtual galas started in March 2020, they were an emergency response to statewide lock downs. Those events scheduled early in the COVID-19 crisis (March through early May) were actively selling tickets and tables to their gala fundraiser. When nonprofits cancelled the gala or shifted to a virtual event, most reached out to ticket-holders to ... Read On >
Tickets
Virtual gala fundraiser: Understanding attendance
On Friday, I conducted my third webinar-styled virtual gala fundraiser. This one was hosted on a beefed-up "Zoomzilla" platform. From a fundraising perspective, the program included a live auction with active bidding and a fund a need / special appeal. During the 2-hour show, guests played games, watched mission-driven videos, and socialized in break-out rooms. Guests saw all other guests in small windows on their screen. Some held signs and props in front of their camera for others ... Read On >
2019 Benefit Auction Statistics: How does your event rate?
Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of comparing the numbers of your benefit auction to other events. Results vary by region, guest capacity, the cause, the type of event, and other factors. Furthermore, unless you are able to see all of the data and how a charity is tracking its results, numbers can be misleading. Highly misleading. But on the other hand, many Auction Chairs are curious. They like auction statistics because they learn what others charge for tickets, for instance. Or how ... Read On >
The rise and fall of YP (young professional) post-parties at galas
Between five and ten years ago, I started hearing chatter about involving young professionals (YP) at the fundraising gala. "We need to get the younger generation involved," was the general vibe. In practice, this often evolved to selling a lower priced ticket to the gala. If a regular gala ticket was $150, the YP price might be $30. If the standard ticket was $500, the YP price might be $125. This reduced price ticket allowed YPs to join full-priced guests and sponsored tables for ... Read On >
Raffle Cheat Sheet: A tool that helps volunteers sell more raffle tickets
Last night I worked an event that had about 1,000 guests in attendance. It was a tasting-style event ... the kind that have 50 or 60 restaurant chefs in attendance, each handing out samples of their food and cocktails. As they always do, the nonprofit did an excellent job of recruiting, organizing, and training its volunteers. For instance: All the volunteers were taken on a tour of the hotel so they knew where to direct guests. They could point out the registration and checkout ... Read On >