The Pros & Cons of Public-Facing Fundraising Goals

Pros & Cons of a Public-Facing Fundraising Goal Banner

Did you know that Americans gave $471 billion to charities in 2020? This large number shows the sheer volume of people that wish to do good. Many people like to find a cause to donate to that is impactful to their personal life—hopefully, that’s your cause!

One fundraising strategy you can employ is to state a public-facing fundraising goal, where potential donors can see how much money you are raising. There are several pros and cons you should consider when deciding to use a public-facing goal as part of your fundraising strategy. Read on to find out if this is the right option for your organization!

Pro: Fundraising Goals motivate Donors to give more

People love collaboration, and feeling like they are working together to make something big happen for your organization can be a great motivator. When donors see the progress you are making towards your goal, they have a visual of how much more needs to be given. This incentivizes them to do their part, so they know they made a difference.

A great example of this is a building being built. Let’s say the goal is to raise $250,000. Donors know that each contribution they make will go toward that building. Being able to eventually see the result of the funds they contributed—the finished building—can be of great help.

Con: Donors may question what the Funds will be used for

When you publicly state your fundraising goal, donors have the opportunity to question what that money will be used for. Without knowing the specifics of your foundation’s operations, they may reason away that the amount of money stated as your goal is not needed.

Many people do not realize that successful nonprofits also have operating costs. For example, spending money marketing a fundraiser will make the campaign likely to bring in more money. Paying executives more than average may bring in stronger talent that can lead to a better fundraiser with a higher donation rate.

When your financial goal is displayed for the public to see, it is also open to the public’s opinions. People not well versed in nonprofit operations can easily decide not to donate to your fundraiser because of their incorrect perceptions of how the funds will be used.

Pro: If your Goal is not met, you can extend your Fundraiser

Fundraising campaigns often run for a range of dates. Once that time has elapsed, your campaign comes to a close, and the time to welcome standard donations begins. However, setting a public-facing fundraising goal can allow your organization to push the event beyond its planned timeline.

Having a set dollar figure as your goal is a great reason to extend your fundraising campaign for longer. Your organization can clearly state how much more needs to be earned, and incentivize donors to finish the goal together.

Con: Fundraising Goals may cause big Donors to scale back their Donations

There are five main types of donors: loved ones, casual givers, cause contributors, community crusaders, and big fish. The big fish category makes up big foundations and corporations that often contribute the largest dollar figures to your fundraising campaigns.

Let’s say Company Blue wants to donate $25,000 to the local animal shelter in 2022. If the animal shelter sets a fundraising goal of $20,000, Company Blue may scale back its contribution. Setting a public-facing fundraising goal may make donors think that amount is ALL your organization needs.

Pro: Public-Facing Fundraising Goals create buzz within your target Group

Having a public-facing fundraising goal is a great way to create buzz about your fundraising campaign! Keeping the public apprised of your progress towards your goal will make them feel like part of your process.

This can be a great tool to use in social media campaigns as well! Interactive posts can allow your donors to see the contribution they make as they give. Creating a buzz around your fundraising campaign keeps people talking about it, and motivates people involved to work together and reach your desired goal.

Con: Once your Goal is met, Donors may not be motivated to give more

With a public-facing fundraising goal, there is often a lot of hype and collaboration in reaching that magic number. However, after your goal is met, donor support quickly drops off.

If you are part of a nonprofit organization, you know that the goal is to raise as much as possible for the cause you care about. Though a fundraising goal is met, you want to see generous donations continue to flow in to support your cause.

With a goal amount set, potential donors that see the amount being met may choose not to give. They could easily decide that your cause is taken care of and that their finances are better given to a cause that needs the funds more.

Happy Fundraising

We hope this article helped you understand the pros and cons of a public-facing fundraising goal! There is no right or wrong way of running your fundraising campaign. It simply depends on your organization’s needs and financial goals.

As you develop a fundraising goal for your organization in 2022, reach out to the team at Auction Frogs for support! We offer amazing guidance on online auctions, event fundraising, mobile bidding, donation campaigns, and so much more. Contact us today to learn about how we can help your team this year.

Six Fundraisers to Explore in 2022

Six Fundraisers to Explore in 2022 Banner

As you ring in the New Year and begin to look ahead at what 2022 has to offer, you may be wondering… what types of fundraisers you should be planning? Owing to creative solutions to fundraising struggles faced by many nonprofits during the pandemic, there are more options than ever before! So, what’s new? And, are the classic fundraising staples still viable options?

Keep reading for our list of the top six fundraisers we recommend for 2022.

Online Auction Fundraisers

Online Auctions are often an underrated fundraiser choice. Using a customizable Online Auction site, you can raise money in several ways—not only with auction items. Keep in mind, sponsorship opportunities, merchandise sales, and donations can all occur within the same site!

If you have never planned an online fundraiser before, it’s normal to have reservations. But, now more than ever, donors are primed and ready to try something new, especially in a digital environment. With a strong marketing campaign and a little extra education for hesitant donors, you may find that Online Auctions are a new favorite for you and your audience!

Pros of Online Auctions

  • Inexpensive & requires fewer volunteer hours
  • Larger target audience & longer bidding timeframes
  • Multiple ways to enhance your offered sponsorships

Cons of Online Auctions

  • Small learning curve for those who have never participated in an online auction
  • Requires more time upfront as you set up your auction site & build your item list

Traditional Gala Fundraisers

Traditional Gala fundraisers vary widely in cost. Meaning, their price tag may range anywhere from $5,000 to well above $30,000. Ultimately, their cost will be dependent upon the number of guests, venue, and the catering choices you make.

Galas also vary widely in theme and structure, but most typically include dinner, keynote speakers, a live and silent auction, and a paddle raise. Keep in mind, while they are a great choice for any nonprofit organization, traditional Galas work especially well for those with a localized audience.

Pros of Traditional Galas

  • Fun & interactive for donors to gather in the same room for a common cause
  • Industry proven moneymaker
  • Provides direct & specialized mission messaging
  • Larger opportunity to offer VIP experiences & sponsorship perks

Cons of Traditional Galas

  • Can become very expensive very quickly
  • Impactful for only a short period of time
  • Potential liability & social responsibility issues can arise, particularly during the pandemic
  • Misson messaging can get lost in the “party”

Golf Tournament

Golf Tournaments are a fun fundraiser to add to your calendar. These outdoor events reach a different demographic than other fundraising events as they appeal more to business-centered audiences. Therefore, they are a great way for nonprofits to build new relationships with local businesses within their community!

Golf Tournaments vary largely in price based on course location, food selection, swag, prizes, etc. Like with any event, Golf Tournaments offer great opportunities for sponsorships, helping to cover costs. Remember, businesses are more likely to buy sponsorships that include ample marketing opportunities during the event. So, get creative and make sure to advertise your sponsorship packages well!

Pros of Golf Tournaments

  • Reach a business-centered demographic
  • Requires moderate cost & effort
  • Offers the opportunity to tap into business dollars typically reserved for marketing
  • Creates more personalized small-group networking

Cons of Golf Tournaments

  • Challenging to gross more than $50,000 in most markets
  • Limited by season & subject to weather
  • Mission messaging can get easily lost in the tournament play

Virtual Event Fundraisers

Virtual events combine the power of Online Auctions with a live or pre-recorded broadcast. On average, the cost of a high-quality Virtual Event is between $5,000 and $10,000. They are a great match for nonprofits with state, national, or international reach as they create a unique fundraising experience for a widespread audience.

Pros of Virtual Events

  • Less expensive than traditional Gala fundraisers
  • Larger target audience & longer bidding timeframes
  • Livestream remains online in perpetuity & can be repurposed as a marketing tool, extending impact

Cons of Virtual Events

  • Can be difficult for certain audience segments to participate
  • Requires a strong marketing strategy
  • Need for A/V team with the experience & equipment to make a broadcast possible

Hybrid Event Fundraisers

Recently, “Hybrid Event” has come to mean many different things. At Auction Frogs, we define a Hybrid Event as an in-person fundraiser combined with a virtual experience. This virtual experience is typically a live stream of your event program for stay-at-home donors and includes simultaneous bidding in your auction.

Most importantly, when planning a Hybrid Event, keep your expectations realistic. The “sky’s the limit” approach can often make these fundraisers more work than they need to be.

Pros of Hybrid Events

  • Allows at-home & in-room bidding to give your entire audience a chance to participate
  • Auction can be opened early to support a longer bidding timeframe
  • Donations can still be received & recognized from at-home donors

Cons of Hybrid Events

  • Small learning curve for those who have never participated in electronic bidding
  • Time delays will exist for at-home bidders, so auction activity will not match your broadcast
  • Auctioneers need to move slower so live auction will take longer

Donation Campaigns

You may have a donation form on your website that sits there all year long. But, a Donation Campaign like those used for GivingTuesday can be a great asset to your fundraising strategy.

There are many different forms that a Donation Campaign can take, from a peer-to-peer model to a direct mail campaign. To determine which fundraiser style is right for you, consider factors like your fundraising goal, audience demographic, and the time of year when your campaign will be held.

Pros of Donation Campaigns

  • Combines resources you already have to drive traffic to your website & increase donations during slower giving times
  • Can be utilized with marketing & social media to create content that lives on to be repurposed in future
  • Stories can be gathered & created year-round

Cons of Donation Campaigns

  • Needs a strong marketing foundation
  • Really important to stick with a strategy & connect with your audience
  • Requires use of brand ambassadors to be successful

Whether you plan to try a new fundraiser in 2022 or return to a favorite model from the past, we wish you a successful year of fundraising and hope you have fun along the way!

Use Auction Frogs for your fundraisers in 2022

Our platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand identity. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device.

So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next gala event a successful one!

Dates to Plan your Fundraising Around in 2022

Dates to plan your fundraising around in 2022 banner

Funds are flooding forward. Americans donated more than $427 billion to non-profit organizations in 2018. Yet this money did not come at once. Some days saw higher donations than others. If you are planning on fundraising in 2022, you have to be mindful of when people will donate.

What are occasions that you should never run a fundraising event on? What are local or religious occasions you should avoid? How can you take advantage of certain holidays without running events on the same dates? Answer these questions and you can become a master at  planning your fundraising in 2022!

New Year's Day

January 1st may seem like a good time to run virtual fundraising events. Many organizers like to “ring in the New Year” with galas and fundraisers. This is exactly why you should not hold a fundraising event on New Year’s Day in 2022. It is hard to stand out in the crowd, even if you are fundraising online.

Even if there are only a few fundraising events near you, many people are celebrating the holiday and cannot attend your event. If January 1st falls on a weekend, you should not run an event on the same weekend at all. Consider doing a start-of-the-year drive that covers the entire month of January instead. You can run a few small fundraising events throughout the month instead of one big one on January 1st.

The Grammys

The Grammys will take place on January 31st in 2022. Though it is not as big of an event as New Year’s Day, it still takes up a lot of attention. This makes it hard to run a fundraising event, regardless of the cause you promote.

January 31st also falls on a Monday in 2022. Many people spend their Mondays preparing for the workweek, and they do not want to attend charity fundraising events. Try to avoid scheduling your fundraising in 2022 on Mondays or Tuesdays. Fridays and Saturdays tend to be ideal days, though you can schedule events for weekdays if weekends are packed with events.

The Oscars

The Oscars will take place on March 27th in 2022. Pre-shows for the Oscars run for hours, so viewers may be unavailable for the evening of the 27th.

If you run a nonprofit that helps filmmakers, you may be able to take advantage of the Oscars. Hosting a screening party and inviting an Oscar nominee to speak are two unique fundraising ideas. But you may want to schedule your Oscar-related fundraiser for a different day so your attendees can give your fundraiser their full attention.

Easter Sunday

Easter takes place on April 17th in 2022. Those who celebrate Easter will likely spend the day with their families, in church, or performing religious ceremonies and are unlikely to attend fundraisers. While religious groups may find success fundraising in 2022 before or after Easter—giving food to the hungry and building homes for the homeless are good works that associate with the holiday well—fundraising events should not be held on Easter Sunday itself.

Consider also that Passover week begins at sunset on April 15th and ends at sunset on April 23rd in 2022. If your nonprofit serves a geographic area with a high Jewish population, you should avoid fundraising in 2022 during Passover week.

It is generally a good idea to avoid holding fundraisers on any religious holidays. Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu holidays are also dates you should research when planning your fundraisers.

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th falls on May 13 in 2022. Most people regard the date with suspicion, believing actions they take on that day will lead them to bad luck. You should avoid planning any nonprofit fundraising on that Friday.

Independence Day

Independence Day is July 4th. It is a federal holiday, with nearly all businesses closed for the day. Most people like to spend time with their family and friends. You should not plan to run any fundraising events on that day. Veterans organizations could sponsor firework shows and other occasions to build their name recognition, but they should not ask for donations.

Election Day

Election Day in 2022 falls on Tuesday, November 8th. It is a midterm election day, so all seats in the House of Representatives will be contested. One-third of Senate seats will also be contested, along with many gubernatorial and local seats. Your local area may have one or more primary days. Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures website to check when your state primary days are.

Primary days and Election Day eat up a significant amount of attention. A lot of people that may otherwise donate to your cause may be planning to give donations to political candidates and parties. Wait for a different day to fundraise in 2022.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 24th in 2022. It is a federal holiday that nearly everyone in America celebrates. Many families make a four-day weekend out of Thanksgiving, taking the Friday after Thanksgiving off from work to spend with their families. They will not be able to attend events you hold, so plan not to schedule any fundraising events for that weekend.

Around this same time of year, GivingTuesday takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which will be November 29th in 2022. You should prepare your nonprofit for GivingTuesday and then plan to spin your GivingTuesday campaign off into a year-end drive. This is a great way to cap off your fundraising in 2022.

Christmas

Christmas is another extremely popular holiday. December 25th is a federal holiday, and many nonprofits close their doors for the day. December 24th is another day that many Americans take off to be with their families. Some will attend church services or throw parties. Try to avoid running any fundraising events on December 24th and 25th.

Local Events

Be sure to be mindful of popular local events when you plan for fundraising in 2022. Football games and school vacation weeks can take up a lot of attention, especially in suburban areas with a lot of families. Try to research when people may be out of town or busy, then schedule your fundraisers for other dates.

The Worst Days for Fundraising in 2022

To sum up, there are definitely days you must plan around when fundraising in 2022. Don’t plan to hold a fundraising event on major holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Try to avoid religious holidays as well—Easter and Passover are two examples—as they typically take up a lot of people’s time. Be mindful of local and regional events, such as football games and election dates. And, don’t forget, many people may be busy watching award ceremonies on certain nights, like the Oscars and Grammys.

Use Auction Frogs for your next Online Auction

Our platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads, plus it can be customized to reflect your brand identity. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device.

So, get in touch today to see how we can help make your next virtual fundraiser a successful one!

How to source Auction Items for a Winning Virtual Fundraiser

How to source Auction Items for a Winning Virtual Fundraiser Banner

Auctions are one of the best ways for nonprofit organizations to raise funds. Courting businesses and individuals willing to donate or sponsor auction items is a crucial part of that process. The quality of goods and services you’re able to acquire is integral to the success of your fundraising initiative. 

Let’s explore some methods you can use to procure great auction items for your next event!

Strategize for Success

Once you have a strategy, you can actively seek and solicit auction items. Build your game plan based on:

  • Strategies that worked well in previous years
  • New ideas that work with your target market's income level and budget

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

First things first, you need to assemble an item procurement team. Your team should be comprised of committee members who have the gift of the gab. Look for people with charm and diplomacy who can call on a vast social network to obtain coveted goods and services.

If your team is small, don’t worry. Be sure to plan early (preferably a six months to a year in advance). You’ll be surprised by how much even a one-man show can accomplish! Sound people skills can help you distinguish between donors who are short on time and those who want you to invest time in exchange for a high-impact donation.

Lay it All Out

Put together a PR kit with brochures and links depicting what your organization does. Include facts about previous auctions you’ve held such as the number of bidders that participated. Don’t forget, explain how your virtual event works. This includes what would be expected of donors when it comes to fulfilling their end of the transaction.

Your PR kit can provide auction items suggestions to give your business donors inspiration. Customize these ideas for your wishlist businesses in the body of an email or on a phone call. Just remember, it’s easy to ignore emails, so try and make a call first to establish a personal connection.

Warm-Calling

Colleagues, stakeholders, previous donors from a database, friends, and family are all good sources of auction items. They’re familiar with your cause and have likely witnessed the positive outcomes of your organization’s fundraising projects.

If you’ve thanked them appropriately in the past, there’s a solid chance they will be willing to proffer bid-worthy items again. Your loyal donors and supporters are your first port of call.

Cold-Calling

Cold-calling and cold-pitching can reap rewards so don’t shy away from approaching businesses out of the blue. Highlight the advantages of participating as an item donor. For example, advantages could be greater brand exposure or an enhanced reputation via visible corporate social responsibility or sponsorship.

Remember, the community you engage doesn’t necessarily have to be local. It can include companies from further afield who have an online presence that resonates with your core audience. As long as you’re not trying to ship items across the world, it should be a-okay.

Harness the Power of Social Media

If your campaign messaging is creative, you can tug on the heartstrings and purse strings of hundreds of potential donors via social media. Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing are remarkable elements of the internet age. In the digital world, the generosity of clicktivists and regular folks alike acts as a counterbalance to vicious trolling. Craft a compelling narrative and it can find its way to people in the mood for a random act of kindness. 

Cast your net wide and you’ll find treasure. You can group smaller items in lovely gift baskets and hampers so no contribution is too small. Don’t forget, stipulate that you’re not looking for second-hand items. High-end thrift items and antique auctions are niches that don’t work for everyone.

Cash donations are welcome too. You can use these to curate vacation items, or organize discounted sports tickets, live performances or any other experiences you feel are missing from confirmed offerings. By doing so, you’ll be able to stretch donations even further and maximize the good you can ultimately do with those funds.

Record-Keeping for the Win

Be sure to use pledge and procurement forms to record important details. Log physical goods and intangible items such as gift cards, donor particulars, starting bids, and any other relevant logistical information. Collate and meticulously track received goods that your organization will need to warehouse and distribute. The best part, virtual gift vouchers and codes can be stored in a secure folder in the cloud!

Key Takeaway

Auction item acquisition is a challenging but satisfying aspect of planning your fundraising event. You can score fantastic items for an online, silent, or live auction. A little planning and determination will serve you well, as will an enthusiastic and polite procurement team. Good luck!

Try Auction Frogs for Your Next Online Auction

Our platform is feature-rich, simple to use, and yields great results. It can be customized to reflect your brand identity. Our platform allows for an unlimited number of item and image uploads. And, with a mobile-friendly user experience, bidders can participate on any smart device. You can streamline your auction item procurement with site-integrated donation forms. And there’s even a dedicated space for donor advertising!

So, whether you’re a school or a nonprofit organization, get in touch to see how we can help make your next virtual fundraiser a successful one.

How to Pivot From a Traditional Gala Auction to a Virtual Event

How to Pivot from a Traditional Gala Auction to a Virtual Event Banner

Virtual Events are popular. In fact, almost one-third of adults in the US have participated in one. While traditional gala auctions offer a great way to connect with your supporters and raise more funds, a Virtual Event can be a great alternative.

Plus, pivoting from an in-person event to a virtual one doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right planning and tools, you can host a virtual fundraiser that gets great results. Let’s take a look so you can start planning your Vitual Event.

Step 1 | Set Goals for your Virtual Event

Your goals may need to change if you are pivoting from a traditional gala event to a Virtual Event. For starters, your reach may be different—meaning your potential participants could very well change. Consider reevaluating your attendance and participation goals.

A Virtual Event allows you to reach more people than you may otherwise since those who are not in the immediate geographic area can participate online. In addition, because there is not a traditional gala event, your audience can even participate if they have other plans.

You may also want to take a second look at how much funds you expect to raise through your Virtual Event. You may be able to increase your goals since virtual fundraising can allow more people the opportunity to give. 

Step 2 | Plan Your Virtual Program

Just because you aren’t hosting a traditional gala event doesn’t mean you can’t have a full program. A Virtual Event can still feature presenters, performances, speakers with testimonials, and many other options.

You can use a previous gala event program as your starting point. However, keep in mind that during a virtual program you will definitely want to keep your participants’ attention. Quick transitions between segments can help keep them engaged.

You should make sure to be very clear with your presenters how the program will flow and how a Virtual Event works. Having a host can help everything flow more smoothly.

When planning the schedule, remember that you should make a donation call to action early during the event. Then, be sure to ask often throughout the rest of the Virtual Event. Attendees may join or leave at various times, so you want to try to catch them at the appropriate times.

Step 3 | Determine Your Platform, Resources, & Materials

Once you know what your program will look like, you can start to gather the resources and materials that you need. One of the biggest decisions to make is what platform you will use to stream your Virtual Event. This will be determined by what you plan to do during the program.

For example, if you want to show slides, videos, or multiple presenters, you would need a screen-sharing service. You should think about whether you plan on having a live stream or using pre-recorded videos.

You will also need a platform that can host the actual auction. Services such as Zoom can’t handle this, so you should look into a dedicated virtual auction program, like us here at Auction Frogs!

Our Virtual Event platform can host your auction items and capture bids. Plus, additional features such as online pledge capture, ad space for supporters, and a goal thermometer makes hosting a Virtual Event with Auction Frogs even easier and more successful.

You may also need additional materials, such as microphones and webcams. These items are sometimes forgotten until the last minute but can make a big difference in helping your Virtual Event run smoothly.

Step 4 | Promote Your Virtual Event

Promoting your Virtual Event effectively is incredibly important. Your event can either have paid ticketing or be free to participate. Creating an RSVP form will allow you to get the information for those who are planning on attending.

When you are promoting auctions online, it’s important to take advantage of every marketing channel you have. Make sure to send emails and text messages to those on your mailing list. You can even use direct mail.

Social media is a great way of reaching more people, even those outside of your normal fundraising circle. Create eye-catching graphics and be sure to share them on all of your social media channels.

Step 5 | Have a Dress Rehearsal

A dress rehearsal is vital, especially if your organization has never hosted a Virtual Event before. Dress rehearsals will help ensure everything will run smoothly, which can also reduce nerves and stress among your team members.

If you are having guest presenters, have them test their equipment and make sure they are comfortable with their role. If you plan on showing a video or other media, have a test play to make sure it plays correctly.

You should also test the participant experience. Make a test donation to be sure all of your content and messaging is set up how you want it. Also, click through the event pages and all the links to ensure your attendees can access the event.

Step 6 | Host Your Virtual Event

Testing everything and having a step-by-step plan will ensure your Virtual Event runs smoothly. On the day of, make sure you have fun with your fundraiser. Interact with your audience and thank your supporters.

After your Virtual Event is over, you can rehash what went well with your team and how you can grow your fundraiser for the next year.

Pivot to a Successful Virtual Event

Virtual Events for nonprofits are a great way to reach a larger audience than you ever could with a traditional gala auction. While pivoting to a Virtual Event may be a little scary, plenty of planning and the right tools will make your event a fundraising success.

Take a tour of Auction Frogs to get started with your Virtual Event today!

10 Strategies to Get the Most out of Your Next Online Auction

10 Strategies to get the most out of your next Online Auction Banner

With longer bidding timeframes and larger bidding audiences, Online Auctions are a great way for nonprofit organizations to raise extra funds throughout the year. Whether this is your first Online Auction or your 100th, here are 10 Strategies from our fundraising experts to help your next virtual fundraiser be your best!

1 | Research what worked and plan your changes

If you’ve held an Online Auction in the past, take a look at that past activity and reports to help inform your decisions moving forward.

  • Did all items sell for at least the stated fair market value?
  • Which items had the most bidding activity?
  • How many registered users participated?
  • On what days and at what times did bidding activity spike?

2 | Find the right time frame for your Online Auction

We find that spring and fall are the most popular fundraising times of the year.

  • Be mindful of any upcoming holidays
  • From Thanksgiving to New Year's, wallets are typically tighter
  • Don’t end your auction over a holiday weekend when bidders might not be close to their devices

Consider the length of your fundraiser as well. Keeping an Online Auction open for too long may result in a loss of interest, but a too-short bidding timeframe cuts down on participation. We recommend a three-week bidding timeframe for new Online Auctions; two weeks or less for returning ones.

3 | Spotlight your Online Auction sponsors

Just because you’re not having a gala, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost sponsorship potential! There are plenty of ways to showcase your sponsors in an Online Auction.

  • Create an attractive campaign by offering varying levels of support (the higher the sponsorship, the more visible the placement on your auction site)
  • Give your sponsors more exposure by creating a custom information page on your Online Auction site dedicated to thanking your sponsors
  • Hyperlink all logos for quick navigation to your sponsors' website

4 | Cultivate clear item categories

Item categories make site navigation easier for your audience. Make sure each item is listing in at least one informative category. Consider categories names such as:

  • Food & Drink
  • Travel Experiences
  • Self-Care
  • For the Family
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Apparel & Jewelry

We also recommend using a numbering system that is specific to each category. For example, all items in the “Food & Drink” category would be in a sequential numbering group (i.e. the 100s).

5 | Price your items for multiple demographics

Offer a range of price points to appeal to a larger audience. Each bidder will have a different wallet size, so try to include varying starting bids so that everyone can participate. This will help cultivate bidding competition!

6 | Make your Online Auction items pop

Spice up your item listings to increase interest in, and to better sell your auction items.

  • Make items stand out by creating titles that catch your bidders' eye
  • Ditch boring descriptions and get bidders engaged with interesting, informative details
  • Be sure to include all the details and restrictions you can
  • Include donor information and logos that links back to donor websites
  • Add a variety of photos that showcase the item (or better yet, add a video!)

7 | Promote, promote, and then promote some more

Get the early word out about your Online Auction through as many channels as possible.

  • Utilize social media to share auction dates, sneak peeks, and highlight items
  • Encourage sponsors, donors, staff, and key supporters to share through their own social media channels
  • Send out email blasts to your pre-existing newsletter lists and contact databases
  • Contact local community forums to place a post about your fundraiser

Make sure your Online Auction is highly visible and easy to navigate to from wherever you are posting or advertising it.

8 | Analyze audience trends and bid activity

Keep an eye on bid activity for all of your auction items. Towards the end of your auction, if there are items without bids, consider dropping starting bids 20–30%. With an Online Auction through Auction Frogs, you can take advantage of our Fire Sale feature and automate starting bid reduction by scheduling the price drop ahead of time!

Don’t forget, highlighting and featuring items without bids will draw more attention to them. Be sure to share them on social media, too!

9 | Establish clear payment and pickup instructions

90% of all questions asked by bidders are how to pay for items they have won and where to pick those items up. Make sure to establish these instructions clearly and early on so that participants feel comfortable and confident with the item claim process before they start bidding.

10 | Review your revenue and celebrate your success

After the auction is over, review winning all of the bids, item purchases, and monetary donations.

  • Check out your Summary Report and confirm all the data is as expected
  • Publicly celebrate your fundraising success through posts and newsletters
  • Let your audience know how they can continue to support your cause
  • Thank winners, sponsors, and donors who contributed to your fundraiser

With these 10 Strategies, a great web-based fundraising platform, and a little bit of hard work, your next Online Auction will be a great success! Take a tour of Auction Frogs to get started with your next online fundraiser today!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County brings Fun to first Virtual Event

child with tie-dyed hands

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County is an organization that has been providing year-long support for youth across the Treasure Valley since 1997. Mid-2020, they began looking for an alternative fundraising platform in light of COVID-19 canceling their in-person event. Already a longtime client of Auction Frogs, The Club was eager to engage with supporters at home, maximize online participation, and keep the fun with their big event — all virtually.

The Challenge

Their largest annual fundraising event usually boasts over 1,100 attendees. However, with the pandemic reaching its peak, not only did they need to rethink their venue, but the event goals and the planning process needed adjusting as well. For The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County, transitioning to a completely online format was like planning a new event from scratch. They were anxious to see what the actual event would look like, how many people would engage, and if they could still bring an element of fun. Their fundraising events in the past had always been wildly successful and an army of volunteers always made their big day a success. So visualizing a virtual event without their large team of volunteers was overwhelming.

Typically, they would host a silent auction, a live auction, a paddle-up segment, and an online auction to reach all different types of bidders and supporters. These various components increased engagement during their past in-person events and substantially raised donations, helping them achieve their goals. The work and planning process for previous years involved listing items, communicating with sponsors, selling tickets, setting up, and more, and generally took a large team and ample prep time.

Jodi Davis-Gempler, Director of Development at The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County and a key member of the fundraising team, has over 20 years of fundraising experience. Already familiar with Auction Frogs and Online Auction, Jodi was excited to take advantage of new technology and share her organization’s stories with a Virtual Event. It was the perfect response to fundraising during the pandemic.

The Solution

 

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County followed a preset timeline and met with Auction Frogs weekly to create their Virtual Event and Online Auction. “Normally, at our events, we don’t take a lot of time to do a lot of storytelling — we’re trying to keep the auction moving really fast. This year we got to tell a little bit more about the mission of the clubs,” explained Jodi. Incorporating videos, pictures, stories, and more, the Virtual Event was the perfect format to focus on more than just the auction items. Sharing on social media in advance, they hoped to connect with people from home and get participation through the Virtual Event to the Online Auction.

Solid preparation, pre-event run-throughs, and support from Auction Frogs’ production team allowed Jodi to sit back the night of the event and join in the virtual viewing, completely worry-free. The Club’s 45-minute long and fun-filled event was hosted by two local emcees in cowboy hats, Larry Flynn and Mark Johnson, and was recorded to encourage further engagement from late viewers. Larry Flynn, a long-time Benefit Auctioneer for Boys & Clubs of Ada County, and Mark Johnson, a local TV station news anchor for KTVB, has been hosting this event for years and enjoyed the new virtual format. It was clear they had great synergy during the production while bringing the fun and entertaining viewers! The WWA continues to collect hundreds of views on YouTube increasing the awareness and important funding for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ada County.

“The technology is really smooth and easy to use. I think it provides a good user experience to the people participating. But I think it’s always been that way, I don’t think that’s a change,” said Jodi. Auction Frogs always focuses on user engagement and client experience with their custom event pages and story-focused content.

The Results

After receiving an outpouring of positive feedback from viewers and nearly meeting their goal of $500,000, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County considers the Virtual Event and Online Auction a complete success. “We’ll always have an online component, and we do still hope to have our regular in-person event in the future. But going through this process we’ve learned that there is a way that we can meet people virtually and experience fundraising success. It was a useful format overall,” stated Jodi.

In times of last-minute changes, constant innovation, and a need for community, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County were able to plan and execute their fundraiser and Virtual Event with ease with Auction Frogs by their side.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

An Effective Fundraising Committee ensures Event Success

When planning and hosting a fundraising event, there are many decisions to be made and tasks to complete. While it is possible to plan an event single-handedly, it certainly is not ideal. Events are most successful when coordinated by a fundraising committee. An effective committee takes the stress off the individual at the helm and provides support for decision-making, organization, and task management.

Continue reading