This is a good post to share with your other Gala Chairs who are seeking to invest or change their auction software, but don't know all the players. ============================== It's been five years since I published a list of silent auction software vendors. Specifically it was a list of mobile bidding software vendors. Back then, mobile bidding had been growing in popularity. Sharing a list of companies selling the tool seemed like a good idea. I struggled with what to name ... Read On >
silent auction
I think “hotel silent auctions” are scammy — what do you think?
A friend from Kansas and her husband flew out to visit me last month. And this is where the story begins. My house is undergoing a renovation so they stayed in a nearby hotel. When I popped into the Hilton Garden Inn the first morning of their visit, I saw this in the lobby. A silent auction! I'd seen this type of set-up at a hotel in Ohio last year, but didn't have time to investigate. I walked over to see how it worked. First, I glanced at what they were ... Read On >
Selling better sex and other awkward fundraising auction donations
These are real fundraising auction donations that have been sold by nonprofits. Vasectomy Vaginal tightening Various cosmetic surgery, cosmetic procedures, and diagnostics (e.g. injections, tummy tucks, impotence evaluation) Fertility treatment (IVF) I'm fairly certain that every donation received made the gala chair wince, followed by a "How am I going to sell this" moment. Though I have sold these types of donations in live auctions, they don't belong there. First, ... Read On >
Best time to close the silent auction? Before the live auction begins.
Human psychology factors into fundraising auctions in many ways. The fear of loss propels a bidder to bid. Smart pricing strategies in a raffle influence how many tickets will be sold. Properly structured silent auction bid sheets generate 10% to 30% higher sales. Well-written auction donation request letters secure more "yes" responses than "no" responses. Using a proper method to properly close a silent auction generates higher sales on the most popular items. (E.G. Create an ... 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 >