A podcast about nonprofit fundraising events
Latest Episodes
Episodes
Without systems, planning an event can easily become chaotic and overwhelming. Systems enable you to delegate tasks and create consistency.
In this episode I share:
The difference between a system and a process
The seven core systems you need for nonprofit success
Four tips for creating systems & procedures
Having a successful event year after year is a great thing! There are times, though, when you need to change things up slightly to refresh an event to keep it from getting a little stale.
In this episode I share:
- The difference between the Flywheel Effect and the Doom Loop
- Seven ways to refresh or breathe a little fresh air into your event
Half the battle when researching venues for your nonprofit event is knowing the right questions to ask.
In this episode I share:
Eleven questions to ask when looking for a venue
Gathering event feedback helps you determine what your audience liked about the event and identify areas for improvement.
In this episode I share:
Why feedback is important
The best ways to capture feedback
The types of questions to ask
How to use that feedback once you have it
Tips for how NOT to take negative feedback personally.
Live auctions serve a purpose other than just raising more money for your organization.
In this episode I share:
The purpose of a live auction
The types of events that work best for live auctions
How to find live auction items
Why it’s important to work with an auctioneer
The silent auction has ended and you’re done. Well, almost. There are seven things you need to do to wrap up your auction.
In this episode I share:
The first thing you should do. It might surprise you
The things you need to document for the organization
The things you should document for yourself or the future auction chair
There are a number of things you must do in the month or two leading up to and on the day of the auction to make everything run smoothly.
In this episode I share:
When to open & close your auction
Determining your layout at the venue (# of tables needed
Creating a seamless process for check out
Common Volunteer Roles
Merchandising items
What to do if someone doesn’t pick up their item at the end of the night
Packing up and heading out
Online, mobile, or virtual auction. No matter the name, they all mean the same thing; an auction conducted over the Internet where people can bid through a website or mobile device. Not paper sheet bidding.
In this episode I share:
The benefits of an online auction
What to look for in a platform
How to structure your planning timeline for an online auction
Suggestions for dividing the work amongst your auction team
Tips for adding items to your auction site
Silent auctions are a popular fundraising activity for nonprofits and their supporters. Sometimes auctions are viewed as easy money. If you’ve ever organized an auction, you know it’s anything but easy. They are a lot of work!
When you put processes in place, it makes everything go more smoothly and makes you look more professional. BEFORE you ask for a single donation, you need to prepare to host an auction. Find out what you need to do and how to do it, step by step.
In this episode I share:
Why it’s important to prepare to host an auction before asking for donations.
How to determine the ideal number of items to have on your auction
A process for soliciting and tracking donations.
Planning a nonprofit fundraising or awareness-building event takes a team! This group of individuals can have a huge impact on your event.
In this episode I share:
- The typical structure of the planning team
- When you should or shouldn’t have co-chairs
- Which roles should be held by organization staff, when possible
- The importance of matching the person to the role
- What not to do with your planning team volunteers
