There is something inherently appealing about a fund raising event that assures rising revenues as the evening progresses. Charity auctions are in vogue and it is easy to understand why when one looks at the bottom-line tallies that come out of these events. Since most auctions are run in conjunction with a gala of some sort, fundraisers are assured not only of their minimum profit from the dinner or cocktail party, but also of the escalating revenues garnered from check-book toting participants whose grip on them are often loosened by the consumption of a couple of glasses of wine. There’s nothing like watching financially able bidders compete with one another amidst the good-natured ribbing of their fellow guest who generally urge them on with the mantra: "it's for a good cause."
Instructions
1. Start with the organizational basics. Depending on your cause and the scale of the event you plan to hold, you need to determine the who, what, where, when of the evening’s event. The best way to begin such a large undertaking is to appoint a committee whose members are responsible for each piece of your money-making venture.
2. Know your attendees. Before you can truly stage a successful event, you need to poll those likely to attend, not only to assure enthusiasm, but also to have a number of guests in mind before booking a location.
3. Solicit donations. Think big and don’t be afraid to ask for more than you think you will get. Start with the people you know with corporate connections. For many businesses, donations to good causes are just a write-off for their community relations departments. Even small businesses are usually willing to offer goods and services. They know that the publicity they get for their contribution usually outweighs the cost of the donation in terms of its potential to generate further revenue by grabbing new clients from the event and raising their public profile. Do not neglect the members of your community. There may be an artist, bookkeeper, tutor and others among you, willing to donate their services. Also, many people who have vacation homes or time-shares can’t always use them and are more than happy to take the write-off.
4. Book your auctioneer. Do not rely on the town’s best speaker. Choose a professional auctioneer, certified through the Certified Auctioneer’s Institute to assure an impeccable reputation. Do not pay a percentage of sale, but rather a flat rate, negotiated in advance. This isn’t an area where expense should be spared. A good auctioneer can truly turn a lackluster sale into a blockbuster. That said, don’t be afraid to inquire of your auctioneer his affiliation with your charity. If you’re funding cancer research and he just lost a family member, they may waive their fee in tribute.
5. Book your event hall and determine exactly the kind of event you want to hold. Often event holders choose conventional fundraisers of sit-down meals. However, a combination of silent and live auction in addition to a cocktail party can be very effective.
6. Run the event. If you’ve properly planned your event, including your setting and your most important cast of characters, this may be the easiest step in your endeavor.
7. Tally your results. While the most obvious factor determining your event's success is about counting end-of-evening dollars, it is also about looking across the room. Did everyone you invited to your event enjoy themselves? Will they come back? Are they willing to do more? Can they commit to support it beyond this one event?
