As I type this, I've spoken with three clients in the last 24 hours about designing or beefing up their event sponsorships. In two cases, we talked about rarely considered benefits they could use to entice new sponsors. In another case, we talked about how to design a complete event sponsorship program. With these discussions in my head, I can't help but recall the savvy partnership I witnessed between my nonprofit hospice client and the car manufacturer Porsche just two weeks ago. Major ... Read On >
Video
VIDEO: 1930s club sets backdrop for the benefit auction theme
When I started working with this group in 2010, the organization was moving away from a sit-down dinner. Goodbye traditional gala. Hello something new. The "something new" has changed at each event. For instance, each venue is different. Quality entertainment is hired (I'm part of this). Unique staging and props are used. The event is well-run, from registration to flow to checkout. Generally speaking, this is what I'd call a high production value event. It's classy. There is an ... Read On >
Your marriage will suffer when chairing a school auction
A few years ago I ran a course called Easy First Auctions. It was designed to help groups launch an auction correctly to avoid volunteer burnout. I shared what really mattered, so Chairs didn't get overwhelmed with it all and never want to run an auction again. I could have honestly promoted it by writing, "Here are the elements your auction should include in the early years, so you don't get a divorce." Auctions put enormous stress on volunteer chairs. Though I've talked about this ... Read On >
Gala honorees: Three places to find them
One strategy for developing a benefit auction audience is to include an honoree into your program's activities. The person you honor typically brings family, friends, and co-workers to your gala. They all come to see their friend receive the award. FINDING someone to honor can be another challenge. Sometimes it's obvious as to whom you should select. Other times, it's not. If you don't have any ideas, where can you start poking around for potential gala honoree leads? In the video, I ... Read On >
Auction theme ideas: Recycle that shredding
As we 'wrap up' the Christmas holidays (get the pun?), I'm betting that you have some extra shredding laying around the house. Gift packages are often shipped in a generous pile of shredding in order to protect the contents inside. Before you casually toss the packaging material into your local community recycling bin, take a good look at it. Some of the newer types of materials can be used in auction fundraisers. The video below shows three types of shredding I've received and offers ... Read On >