Since 2014 when President Obama re-established relations with Cuba, the country has been a popular topic in my client meetings. And with the recent death of Fidel Castro, news about Cuba has been widely covered in the papers and on television. For this post, let's discuss Cuba through the lens of our focus on fundraising auctions. ======================== Readers want to know if it's tacky to use Cuba as a theme. Here's a question I was asked last week via Facebook. ("Like" me ... Read On >
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School auction theme: Night at the Museum
I recently showed a few photos from this 2009 auction to a client who was going to be doing something similar. The memory of that event still impresses me, so I thought I'd post a few of the photos on the blog. ++++++++++++++ When the Development Director told me that the school auction committee had settled on a "Night at the Museum" theme, I wasn't overly enthusiastic. Many times I'll have some ideas on how to support the theme. For this one, I was a tad stumped. I loved the ... Read On >
Searching for trendy fundraising auction themes? Use the official color of 2014 (Radiant Orchid)
Congratulations to "Radiant Orchid." From a field of millions, she's been chosen by Pantone to be the 2014 color of the year. You'll soon see this color popping up in clothing, makeup, toys, fabrics ... even websites. To my untrained eye, my 2013 / 2014 website color theme even uses shades of this color. And don't be surprised if you see it in a few fundraising auction themes, either. (For dozens of ideas and photos easily organized to help you with auction themes, centerpieces, and decor, ... Read On >
The easy way to train benefit auction volunteers
Oh I wish I had a video that captured the vignette I’m about to describe ... In late September I was in Ohio speaking. The next day, I met with a public school foundation for a private consultation. The group is dramatically changing their gala, so I was sharing photos from appropriate events to give them ideas. One of the Co-Chairs said, “Do you have other photos I can see?” As if on cue, the Executive Director whipped out her copy of Creative Auction Themes, Decor & Centerpieces, handed ... Read On >
Fundraising auction tips: The simplest decor idea on the planet
Maybe you don't WANT an auction theme. It's not your style. Maybe it seems like too much work. But still, the idea of nothing on the gala tables or silent auction areas seems UNfestive. What to use? I worked at three auctions this past weekend. Two of them were for schools and one for a nonprofit. One of the schools utilized a tactic I've seen often used at nonprofit galas that didn't have a specific theme. The school decorated the tables with glass beads in colors befitting of their theme ... Read On >