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You are here: Home / Appeals / Fund a Need / Raise the Paddle / Fundraising thermometers are overrated for Fund a Needs
Sep 10

Fundraising thermometers are overrated for Fund a Needs

Sherry Truhlar 4 Comments

ThermometerThere, I wrote it.

I’m entirely unimpressed with fundraising thermometers when used during Fund a Needs.

Thermometers were rolled out with great fanfare from the auction software vendors who created them.  As proceeds pour in, donations are tracked against the goal.  Guests see it play out on a screen.

Vendors like to say the tool boosts audience engagement.

But does it?

At a school auction meeting last month, the hired auction checkout guru asked if I wanted to use it. “The school is using XYZ software now, and that software has a thermometer.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, we don’t have to use it!” she said, “I think they curtail donations.”

And therein lies the rub. 

Those who sell thermometers tout them as boosting audience engagement.

But word on the street suggests they have the opposite effect.

=================================

Many professional fundraising auctioneers don’t like thermometers.

Here’s why:

SUPPRESSES DONATIONS:  If you state a financial goal for your fund a need and quickly surpass it, guests who haven’t yet donated may be less inclined to do so.  After all, the thermometer shows you just smashed the goal.  “Think I’ll save my $100 for the cash bar,” your guest thinks.

DEFLATES ENTHUSIASM:  If you state a financial goal and aren’t close to achieving it, enthusiasm drains from the room.  The perception?  Your Fund a Need bombed.

TECHNOLOGY HICCUPS:  Don’t get me started on the times the technology hung up.  In one case, the same five donor names popped up again and again.

=================================

If it’s worked for you — fabulous.  Kudos. Well done.

As for me, I’ll advocate other methods of engagement for a Fund a Need.

Note:  This post was inspired from a student’s question in yesterday’s Part 1 of my Fabulous Fund a Need Secrets course.

 

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About Sherry Truhlar

Fundraising auctioneer and educator, helping schools and nonprofits plan more profitable benefit auctions. A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, she’s been covered in The Beacon-News, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Wiley's Special Events Galore!, AUCTIONEER, and other publications.

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Comments

  1. Rick Gallo says

    September 11, 2019 at 5:25 AM

    Sherry,
    I could not agree with you more. I’ve experienced all three scenarios . It is especially damaging if you have your Fund A Need first and you do not reach goal. It dampens the rest of the evening.
    As always, LOVE your posts.

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      September 11, 2019 at 5:27 AM

      Thanks, Rick! Agreed on the “dampens” part.

      Reply
  2. Jon Bridenbaugh says

    September 11, 2019 at 1:31 AM

    Thanks for posting this. I agree completely!

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      September 11, 2019 at 1:35 AM

      Yes — an auctioneer in the Midwest sent me a private email agreeing. He wrote, “Committees who use thermometers can’t imagine how a professional auctioneer can possibly conduct a successful plea….because they can’t do this. And techies are so smug with their electronic gadgetry they have convinced themselves they are the end all, be all. Really?? I don’t think so.”

      Reply

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Sherry, oh, Sherry! You were an invaluable asset to this year’s gala. With your assistance we were able to add so many new elements that truly made a difference in taking our event to another level. This year was the most successful yet! Everyone loved you and the amazing energy that you brought to the event. We look forward to having you again in 2018!

Krystal Fenwick

Thank you so much for the outstanding job you did for us on April 1! I have received so much positive feedback from so many who attended. You even earned Sister Suzan’s (our Vice-Principal) seal of approval! Safe travels to all your many events and thank you for making our biggest fundraiser of the year our best ever!

Diane Albano, Director of Development
St. Joseph Academy Catholic High School (St. Augustine, FL)

Sherry is flexible and easy to work with. She gives honest feedback and advice throughout the planning and implementation process. Without a doubt, Sherry and Red Apple Auctions has helped take our annual fundraising event to the next level.

Beckie Middendorf, Development Director and Janet Gulla, Development Coordinator
St. Henry District High School (Erlanger, KY)

Sherry is “on board” from day one of auction planning, works closely with our steering committee and is only just a phone call away. The night of the auction, we toss her the keys and let her drive the event! We are never disappointed!

Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)

I was very fortunate to have Red Apple on board for my first auction. Working with Sherry was invaluable. She provided guidance at every phase of planning, from procurement on forward – and she challenged us to make our event more ambitious and more successful at every stage. Thank you, Sherry!

Pete Goldlust, Director of Development
Oak Hill School (Eugene, OR)

If your auction needs to upgrade, call any auctioneer you find on Google. But if you want your auction to be impressive, meaningful, and profitable, you need to call Sherry.

Erin Banda
2016 NYUMBANI Board member

The auction was entertaining .. proactive … the crowd was involved and felt a part of it,” he said, emphasizing, “The entertainment value was huge.

Darrell, a long-time attendee

We plan on booking Red Apple Auctions much earlier for our next event so we can take advantage of more of the pre-event offerings.

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The Ivymount School (Rockville, MD)

2012 Oakcrest Anne and CarolinaSherry, personally, I can’t even begin to tell you the immense amount of positive feedback that I received having YOU (and Darby) there with is this year!… Read The Rest “Anne Livaudais Knudsen, 5th year gala co-chair”

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