The most important thing for a virtual gala fundraiser is not the scripting, the video, the hosts or the auction items. The most important thing is getting people to tune in, ready to open their wallets. In this post, I’m going to show you how to achieve just that using “living room captains.” What Is a Living […]
Despite the virtual gala being the “plan B” for many nonprofits in 2020, many organizers have realized that their net donations are increased by going virtual! Since their virtual gala was less expensive to throw, the decreased revenue from ticket sales was more than offset by the lower costs. But just how much does it cost to […]
It’s the night of your big fundraiser. The money raised will define your ability to execute your mission and impact the lives of the communities you serve in a positive way. Your organization has planned every detail. Everything is running smoothly. You’ve come to the point in the night when you will ask your donors (don’t call […]
The pandemic has forced thousands of nonprofits to cancel their in-person galas and stream a virtual gala online instead. However, the thought of producing a live gala on camera makes many organizers nervous. Here’s a little secret: the vast majority of virtual galas are pre-recorded. In this post, I’ll share why it’s A-OK to skip the stress […]
Thousands of nonprofits are realizing the benefits of virtual galas. Virtual galas engage new donors, save event costs on food, staff and venue, and ultimately deliver donations that meet or exceed that of in-person events. We’ve surveyed benefit auctioneers and consultants to put together their list of top tips for your virtual gala. 1. Invite everyone Unlike […]
In the uncertainty of the pandemic, now is a good time to brush up on your reading about best practices for benefit events. Whether you are considering a virtual event or simply want to optimize your in-person gala for once it is safe to do so, it is always helpful to take a word from the pros. […]
Benefit auctions have long been reliable event options for nonprofits of all sizes, and for good reason! Both live and silent auctions are engaging for donors and can deliver substantial returns on the time and resources you invest in them. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and its wide-sweeping effects, we’re in a brave new world when it […]
The Coronavirus crushed the Nonprofit and Education live fundraising event industry overnight. Thousands of organizations across the globe were forced to cancel or postpone their events, in many instances, these events were their largest means of fundraising of the entire year. These event shutdowns amplified business closures from venues to auctioneers, caterers, set design, AV, and entertainment […]
As school fundraisers wrestle with the idea of a virtual live gala (VLG), I thought it would be helpful to share my experience as a benefit auctioneer who just hosted two of them. Spoiler Alert: VLG’s rock! “FIRST SCHOOL” (March 13, 2020) On March 13, 2020—in response to the safety measures in place to slow the spread […]
Your live fundraising gala may be cancelled. Do you have access to a studio space, a professional audio-visual team and the ability to recreate your event for the whole internet to experience? How will you take advantage of the moment? Virtual events provide an opportunity to increase awareness, garner new audiences and raise much needed funds. Your […]
