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You are here: Home / Appeals / Fund a Need / Raise the Paddle / Setting Fund a Need levels vs creating levels on the fly
Apr 09

Setting Fund a Need levels vs creating levels on the fly

Sherry Truhlar 4 Comments

Paddle raise levelsI’m not a gal who likes to fly by the seat of my pants at a gala. I prefer a high level of preparation so I can better adapt when something does go off script.

One place I’ve made spontaneous changes has been in the Fund a Need.

My preference is to set paddle raise gift levels in advance, but here’s one example where a spur of the moment change was warranted.

At the event, my initial ask was to be $25,000, working my way down to smaller donation levels:

  • $20,000
  • $15,000
  • $10,000
  • $5000
  • $2500
  • $1000
  • $500
  • $250
  • $100

Guests generously raised their hand to offer donations.  As we moved through the levels, I found myself walking among the tables to personally acknowledge donors.

When I reached the $250 level, nearly 20 people raised their hand to give.  I then started to introduce the $100 level — and that’s when the commotion began.

A few guests called my name and pointed to the other side of the room.

I turned to scan the room for bid numbers, wondering who I was missing.  creating fund a need levelsWere other guests wanting to donate?  I didn’t see cards in the air.

It took me a moment to realize guests were pointing DOWN.

A young girl was winding her way around the tables.  Not much taller than a seated adult, she was easy to miss.

“I’m Sylvia. I saved $144 from my lemonade stand,” she said, and thrust an envelope into my hand.

Sylvia was donating less than $250, but more than $100.  She was presenting her gift at the most appropriate time in our Fund a Need activity — between the two stated levels of $250 and $100.

On the fly, I created a level.

I turned to the guests and said, “Sylvia is 11 years old.  She’s donating $144 — the proceeds from her lemonade stand.  Before we move to that $100 level, I wonder who might want to join Sylvia in donating $144 tonight.”

  • 21 people gave $144.
  • 2 people gave $100.

Safely assuming that those 21 people were planning on donating $100 yet increased their amount to match Sylvia’s, her unusual paddle raise level raised an additional $924 ($44 X 21).

For many reasons, it’s best to set your Fund a Need levels before starting the activity.  Yet when opportunities present themselves, creating levels on the fly can be effective.

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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

    April 9, 2019 at 2:11 PM

    I had that happen with a young man and his piggy bank. It contained $50.00 and just about everyone who had already donated at the other levels gave an additional $50.00. It’s times such as those that truly make a difference.

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      April 9, 2019 at 2:16 PM

      Agreed — and great story, Rick!

      Reply
  2. Teresa says

    April 9, 2019 at 12:49 PM

    What an inspiring story that gave me chills…the good kind!

    Reply
    • Sherry Truhlar says

      April 9, 2019 at 1:53 PM

      Yes! It’s fun when those surprises happen.

      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!

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