When I consult with organizations that are going to use me as their Fundraising Auctioneer, I talk to them about how their fundraising events were held in the past. More often than not, an organization’s gala sequence of events or show-flow begins with messages from the Board of Directors or CEO followed by a break for dinner before it is time for the Live Auction and/or Fundraising portion of the event.
For 90% of fundraising event is is important to get to direct ask or fund-a-need prior 9:00 p.m.. If you start later than 9pm, you run the risk losing donor participation and, in turn, valuable dollars. Organizations are always looking to get new, younger donors in the door, and many young professionals have families. If you leave the fundraising for late in the evening, there is a very high chance that these younger potential donors will leave due to living some distance away and to get home to let the babysitter or nanny off for the night. The last thing you want to do with young donors if have them annoyed coming home after donating to a big expense in childcare because your event went late.
Consider moving the fundraising portion of your event to earlier in the night. By moving the fundraising to earlier in the night, you are able to accommodate the schedules of those who have babysitters to relieve, have an early commute to work and who live more than 30 minutes from your venue. If your event begins at 6:00 p.m., consider starting the fundraising portion of the program at 8:00 pm., with all bidding and donations to end at 9:00 p.m. In order to accomplish this new sequence, consider the following:
For more Fundraising Charity Auction ideas and helpful tips on planning your next charity fundraiser, follow Generosity Auctions on Facebook or Instagram @GenerosityAuctions. Abra Annes is the leading Charity Auctioneer based in California. Abra is the owner and founder of Generosity Auctions, the premier choice for Non-Profit Organizations looking to maximize their event fundraising.
For 90% of fundraising event is is important to get to direct ask or fund-a-need prior 9:00 p.m.. If you start later than 9pm, you run the risk losing donor participation and, in turn, valuable dollars. Organizations are always looking to get new, younger donors in the door, and many young professionals have families. If you leave the fundraising for late in the evening, there is a very high chance that these younger potential donors will leave due to living some distance away and to get home to let the babysitter or nanny off for the night. The last thing you want to do with young donors if have them annoyed coming home after donating to a big expense in childcare because your event went late.
Consider moving the fundraising portion of your event to earlier in the night. By moving the fundraising to earlier in the night, you are able to accommodate the schedules of those who have babysitters to relieve, have an early commute to work and who live more than 30 minutes from your venue. If your event begins at 6:00 p.m., consider starting the fundraising portion of the program at 8:00 pm., with all bidding and donations to end at 9:00 p.m. In order to accomplish this new sequence, consider the following:
- If your live auction has more than eight items, present four or 5 live auction items, then do a direct appeal | fund-a-need, and last, auction the last four live auction items;
- Do your fund-a-need as early as you can in your program;
- Start your event with the fund-a-need (this isn’t my preferred method, but it can be done successfully in certain situations).
For more Fundraising Charity Auction ideas and helpful tips on planning your next charity fundraiser, follow Generosity Auctions on Facebook or Instagram @GenerosityAuctions. Abra Annes is the leading Charity Auctioneer based in California. Abra is the owner and founder of Generosity Auctions, the premier choice for Non-Profit Organizations looking to maximize their event fundraising.
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