It's not uncommon for school auction themes to be inspired by children's books.Here's one example.This Wonderland auction was inspired by the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I worked this event earlier in the year.The committee put a lot of care into creating this experience. Everywhere I turned I saw clever details that supported the theme.View the video to see how this auction committee re-imagined Wonderland for their own school fundraiser.Quick overview ... Read On >
Video
Pet peeve of fundraising auctions: Pointing
One of the first lessons I learned at the Missouri Auction School was on the subject of pointing.“When inviting bidders to bid,” the instructor said, “use an open palm. It’s an invitation for the bidder to give you more money.”“Don’t point!” he emphasized, “It’s rude.”A quick way to separate the professional fundraising auctioneers from the amateurs is to watch their fingers.Get the full story in today’s video.To me, pointing is obnoxious.Am I overreacting?If ... Read On >
The flow of a wine auction (2 examples)
Last month I worked as a wine auctioneer for a benefit auction in Oak Brook, IL.It was my second wine auction in 2017. The other event was for a nonprofit in Texas. In this post, I'm featuring both of them. If you're running a wine auction or considering launching one in your community, take a look at how these two fundraisers are structured. Both of these are successful events in their markets. Let's look at highlights from each event.Vintage AmarilloEarlier this year, the ... Read On >
Growing a public school auction
Here's an example of a public school auction that has made small changes every year to improve.Headwaters Foundation raises money for the rural Rappahannock County, VA public school system, which services fewer than 1000 students. At one time, it was one of the poorest counties in Virginia. It might still be.The county is located about 90 miles west of Washington, D.C. To arrive at the venue, you'll wind around the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, passing a combination of roadside ... Read On >
Breaking the rules: This Martha’s Vineyard auction succeeds by doing things differently.
Two weeks ago I worked with a nonprofit in Massachusetts which has a fairly unique benefit auction model.Though they share some of the same overarching goals as many of my clients (e.g. fundraising, donor stewardship, community awareness, etc.), the event has a long history of doing some things differently.Here are a few elements that make this charity auction unusual.It's a low ticket price -- $25 per person Guests dress casually; some wore shorts. It's an afternoon affair. ... Read On >