02 Dec, 2015

Six reasons why you should consider hiring a professional benefit auctioneer Many non-profit organizations may think that anyone with a strong voice and a sense of humor can lead a live auction. Most non-profits know that a professional benefit auctioneer, especially one who specializes in fundraising makes a huge difference to the success and tempo of the evening. Using a volunteer celebrity, parent, friend of the organization or media personality, as an auctioneer may actually be the most

04 Nov, 2015

Sharing my secrets for a successful Special Appeal To increase the total amount raised at non-profit dinner/auctions, almost every event I have worked or consulted on in the last decade has added an “Appeal” (called many different things: “The Ask”, “Fund a Need”, “Raise the Paddle”, “Reverse Auction” – where there is a direct ask for cash donations).  In many situations, the appeal can actually generate more revenue for the non-profit than the live auction total.  In some cases Appeals have

07 Oct, 2015

Engaging millennials is a key to your future success. In most cases, non-profit fundraisers are attended by mature audiences or empty nesters who typically have disposable money to spend and generally have a strong passion for the non-profit mission.  As these older attendees start to dwindle, many events struggle to back-fill the previous support structure with a younger crowd.  Secondly, many of the local companies that are sponsoring tables, are sending millennial employees to fill the