These days, at large fundraising gala events, people expect a live auction to be a key feature of the evening. “It’s a spectacle, and people are excited to see it,” says Taylor Beveridge, Director of Philanthropy at Carlsbad Educational Foundation in San Diego.
Beveridge joins two other seasoned fundraising professionals, Kristi Maryman, Senior Manager at the Sacramento SPCA, and Rachel Schmidt, the Director of Marketing at English in Action, on the first episode of KLM Auctions’ "Friends With Benefit Auctions” podcast, in which they discuss different approaches to creating a successful fundraising event.
Though there are a number of ways groups and organizations can raise money for their cause, many realize that taking the Benefit Auction route, with live event-based fundraising, is, as Schmidt describes, a “major revenue driver.” Taylor notes that Carlsbad Educational Foundation incorporates an ‘entry ask’ - a way for multiple people to win big items at only $100, and have found it to be a crowd-pleasing aspect of an event, while Rachel talked about the ‘last paddle battle’ game as a fun and valuable addition to live and silent auction portions.
When it comes to the Auction portions of the evening itself, the fundraisers say the person chosen to be the auctioneer can make or break an event and contribute significantly to the energy, profitability, and success of an evening. “It’s one of the most critical pieces of the event,” says Beveridge. She likens the position, and hiring a volunteer to do it, to a best man or maid of honor speech at a wedding: “you know it’s coming, and you’re kind of ready to wince a little bit.” But finding a professional who is adaptable, adept at reading and leading a room, and helpful in discussing the event’s needs before event night “Matters so much”. With the auctioneer position being a “key revenue generator for the event… we don't want to leave it up to chance”, says Maryman.
Almost all organizations incorporate stories highlighting the mission as a critical part of the evening, invoking what Maryman calls a “misty hopeful” mood among the audience - encouraging people to empathize with the organization’s cause and become inspired to donate. Through their fund-a-need, Schmidt and her team like to strike a balance between a lively event and serious, impactful storytelling, "demonstrating a need, but in an optimistic, hopeful, cheerful way.” As a school and educational organization, Taylor notes that the timing of the programming is key, and that they aim to build to the “misty hopeful moment” after the live action and before the paddle-raise.
The three guests also discuss consignment packages as one highly valuable piece of the item package puzzle. Picking consignment is “all about picking the right packages,” says Keith. The right items that can be sold at significantly more than their cost and in multiples are ultimately worth it in the long run.
Hosted by KLM Auctions Founder and Lead Auctioneer Keith McLane, “Friends With Benefit Auctions” is a dynamic new video-podcast featuring conversations with experts in the nonprofit development, educational, fundraising, and live event spaces from around the country, talking all things auction, benefit fundraising and live charity events. This dynamic series will explore insider tips, tricks, and juicy details regarding the exciting benefit auction and professional fundraising space, and explore what it takes to make an event really pop.
KLM Auctions is the nation’s premier provider of event-based fundraising advisory services and professional charity/benefit auctioneers. Over the past 30 years, the KLM team has helped hundreds of clients create and conduct over 2,000 successful events which have generated hundreds of millions of dollars for deserving charitable organizations of all kinds and sizes. Get in touch with us about your next electric fundraising event here: https://www.klmauctions.com/contact-us
