Category: Plan Your Gala

frank kitchen speech coach

Are You Coaching Your Fund-A-Mission Speakers? (Guest Post)

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 […]

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virtual gala filming

Why You Should Pre-record Your Virtual Fundraising Gala

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 […]

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virtual gala filming

15 Must Know Tips for Throwing a Virtual Gala

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 […]

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heart on keyboard

Benefit Auction Problem-Solving: 4 Challenges & Solutions (Guest Post)

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 […]

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shelly st. John

What’s Love Got to Do with It? A Nonprofit’s Journey Toward LIVE Online Virtual Fundraising Events (Guest Post)

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 […]

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Chad Carvey Virtual Gala

I Just Hosted Two Virtual Live Galas. Here’s What I Learned (Guest Post)

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 […]

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Layne, The Auctionista

Enlist the Right Hosts for an Effective Virtual Fundraising Gala (Guest Post)

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 […]

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Virtual Gala

Virtual Galas: How to Host an Online Fundraising Event

Thousands of nonprofits are hosting virtual galas, leveraging modern technology to engage their donor base and raise vital funds. In our virtual gala guide, you’ll learn about: Virtual gala programming Web-sharing technology Online auctions & fund-a-needs Much more Considering a virtual gala? Read on, or watch our recent Webinar. What Is a Virtual Gala? A virtual gala […]

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Silent auction basket

Silent Auction Baskets: Bundle Your Items to Maximize Bids (Step-by-Step Guide)

Do you have a bunch of smaller silent auction items that don’t really “pop” on their own? In this post, you’ll learn how to bundle your silent auction items into baskets so the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We’ll cover: Choosing items to bundle Setting the minimum bid Presenting the bundle Let’s dive […]

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