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If a guest came to your gala two or three years in a row and skipped this one, your silence is the real problem.Benefit auctioneer Keith Jones of Sayre & Jones Fundraising Auctioneers puts it bluntly: if a loyal attendee doesn’t show and you never ask why, you’ve probably lost them. Skipping that call tells them all they ever were to you is money.Trevor shares research from Nathan Chappell across thousands of organizations: attending three consecutive events was the strongest predictor that someone becomes a major giver or lifelong supporter. That makes every repeat guest worth protecting, and every absence worth a phone call.Keith brings 35+ years of fundraising auctions to the conversation, with practical advice on:-What to say to a big giver who can’t attend this year-Why you should announce next year’s date before this year’s event ends-Why every thank-you should go out within the first month, signed by hand-The one job your executive director has on gala night-What to ask of your board so they actually helpChapters00:00 Intro00:57 Catching up and the NAA’s shift toward fundraising04:12 Meet Keith Jones06:06 How technology and fewer live items changed galas09:05 When to start planning your next event11:57 Thank every gift within the first month13:47 Announce next year’s date at this year’s event14:25 What to do when a big giver can’t attend16:56 Invite instead of ask: the language that works18:22 Ask why they aren’t coming19:16 Three events in a row predicts a major donor20:45 Skip the call and you’ve probably lost them21:11 Donors with disposable income still give22:43 Lower attendance, more money24:09 A fundraiser that turns into a social event29:39 The executive director’s one job on gala night31:47 Volunteers as ambassadors and the 80/20 board33:03 Year one good, year two better, year three best33:40 What to ask of your board34:55 Give your board specific direction38:03 How to reach Keith🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-jones-6827392a/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most gala guests check out of the live auction the moment the opening bid hits $5,000. The sweep pulls them right back in.Benefit auctioneers Chad Carvey and Erin Kienzle break down the sweep: stopping a live auction lot at a pre-agreed price and selling it to every bidder still in. Both call it their “Oprah moment,” and it might be the most underused tactic at your gala.It works because it reaches the guests your fund-a-need can’t. Someone who won’t write a $2,500 check will often spend that on a vacation for a good cause. Erin’s data shows those buyers frequently come back the next year and give during fund-a-need, when they never gave before. The sweep doesn’t just raise money tonight. It finds your next donors.You’ll also hear:-Why to agree on a minimum stop price, not a maximum-How many live auction items you actually need, based on data from 65 fundraisers-Why fewer lots means you should be selling multiples-Why offering three trip choices beats one-When the live auction should go first instead of lastChapters:00:00 Intro00:40 Chad Carvey: from school principal to auctioneer02:25 Erin Kienzle: from TV host to auctioneer03:31 What a live auction sweep is07:37 Why Erin saves the sweep for the end10:53 Using the sweep to find new donors14:20 How many live auction items you need18:16 Live auction is the icing, fund-a-need is the cake20:53 BONUS🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinkienzle/Connect with Chad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/principalauctioneer/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Same items, different order, different night, and a completely different result. World-class benefit auctioneer Chris Hensley sits down with Trevor for a masterclass on building a live auction lineup with intention, and why the order you sell in matters as much as the items themselves. Chris makes the case that your live auction isn’t really about the live auction. Only 20 percent of the room may bid, but a well-built lineup keeps 100 percent engaged and warms them up for the paddle raise, where the real money is made. He breaks down what makes a great opening item (something everyone would bid on if they could), why he builds two crescendos instead of one long climb, and the Brett Higgins principle that a big item in the middle makes everything after it feel like a deal. From there: why quality beats quantity (one $104,000 lot beats seven that bore the room), how to turn retail tickets into priceless experiences, and why you should never print a retail or fair market value, because it puts an artificial cap on what people will pay. He explains the power of the bid paddle with the donor’s first name in big letters as instant stewardship, how to test future live auction items in the silent auction or Vacation Station with low risk, and why a consignment trip can be sold 12 times in one night when a home-built package can only sell once. Chris also covers getting the right people in the room over filling seats, closing the live auction into the fund-a-need with a video and a coached speaker, the experiential categories that consistently overperform (sports to play, in-home dinners with Michelin chefs, packages unique to your mission), and how this year’s lineup sets the tone for next year’s event. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:26 Why intentionality decides what you raise 00:53 Why the live auction should come first 04:51 What makes a great opening item 07:46 What happens when an item is in the wrong slot 08:10 The Brett Higgins two-crescendo method 11:43 Quality over quantity: the $104,000 lot 17:57 The bid paddle detail most people miss 18:28 Live auction vs silent auction items 20:42 Testing future items in the silent auction 21:43 Building to the showstopper 24:28 Should the program match your selling order? 26:51 Why you never list retail or fair market value 33:01 Closing the live auction into the fund-a-need 34:30 The experiential packages that overperform 42:56 Setting the tone for next year's event 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hensley-auctions/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

The best fundraisers don’t ask for money. They make an offer. Benefit auctioneer, event fundraising consultant, and PledgePal founder Emily Quinn sits down with Trevor to break down the mindset and language shifts that help nonprofits raise more, and where the sector keeps getting in its own way. Emily’s central idea is simple and immediately usable: fundraising is never a yes or no question, it’s always an either/or. “How many tickets, one or two?” beats “Would you like a ticket?” because it removes the mind’s path to no. From there she makes the case for killing the “big ask” and the word “stewardship” in favor of offers and invitations, and for removing every bit of friction between a willing donor and the act of giving. She gets candid about burnout, hitting a growth ceiling in 2020, and why asking for help and making her first hire changed everything. That leads into the heart of the conversation: the scarcity mindset baked into nonprofit work, the race to the bottom that pressures people (often women) to choose between making money and doing good, and her insistence that it is not a zero-sum game. There is more than enough. She also shares how healing her personal relationship with money directly changed how she consults and fundraises, because you can’t comfortably invite someone into a major gift if you’re projecting your own money baggage onto them. On the tactical side: being intentional with projections instead of guessing next year’s number, knowing which of the hundred knobs to actually turn, why your event should be paid for before guests arrive, and why you should never assume what a sponsor wants. Ask them. Emily also introduces PledgePal, the fund-a-need intelligence platform she built to give auctioneers real-time data on stage and comparative analysis afterward, built on the belief that shared data lifts the whole industry. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:33 Meet Emily Quinn and the Ignite talk origin 01:28 The bachelor firefighter auction that started it all 06:35 Can money buy happiness? The happy money hat trick 09:24 Burnout, asking for help, and her first hire 13:06 The scarcity mindset and the race to the bottom 17:42 Healing your own relationship with money 22:36 Stop asking. Make it an either/or offer 24:42 Killing "the big ask" and "stewardship" 27:32 Being intentional with projections and goals 29:40 Why your event should be paid for before guests arrive 32:46 Don't assume what your sponsors want 35:19 PledgePal and the Fund-in-Need Performance Lab 39:48 Where to find Emily 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyquinninc/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Your corporate partners can give you far more than a check. After 35 years in corporate B2B sales and marketing leadership, Dan Drucker (founder of Philanthropy Fuel) sits down with Trevor to break down what nonprofits miss about corporate partnerships, and why the opportunity is bigger than most teams realize. Dan draws a hard line between sponsorships and partnerships. A sponsorship is a one-time check or in-kind gift for your gala or golf outing. A partnership is a long-term commitment that compounds: employee engagement and skills-based volunteering, distribution channels, physical locations, technology, market research, and the single most underused asset of all, a company’s networks of suppliers, customers, and employees. He explains why one strong partnership can change a small nonprofit’s trajectory, so the goal isn’t a list of 100 prospects, it’s a handful of the right conversations. From there he lays out a methodology any organization can use: define the value and assets you already have, translate them into language a business gets excited about, then find the companies that already want what you offer. He makes the case that fundraising done right has far more in common with good sales than the sector wants to admit, why “stewardship” is too passive a word for real donor engagement, and how to get the right people in the room at your events instead of just filling seats. The throughline is a mindset Dan repeats to nonprofits of every size: you are not at a deficit. You have programs, community insight, audience reach, and impact stories a business would pay for. Walk into the conversation like a partner, not a charity case. Where to start: existing sponsors and suppliers, your board, your volunteers, and your local chamber of commerce. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Why the sector needs reminding of the simple stuff 02:56 Nonprofit work can feel like an island 04:56 Dan's origin story: 35 years in corporate sales 10:55 Is fundraising more sales-driven than the sector admits? 14:40 The guru of corporate partnerships 15:48 Why "stewardship" is too passive a word 17:09 What corporate partners offer beyond funding 20:38 Getting the right people in the room at events 27:35 Reverse engineering what partners actually value 33:43 Where nonprofits should start 40:32 You are not at a deficit 43:29 The case for nonprofit collaboration and mergers 46:12 Where to find Dan 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/druckerdan/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Trevor Nelson and benefit auctioneer George Franco make the case for replacing stewardship with partnership. Calling a donor a steward puts the weight of your mission on their shoulders. Inviting them to partner puts you in it together. That one shift changes how your board reaches out, how your donors feel, and how much your gala raises. George spent 30+ years as a TV news reporter before becoming a full-time bilingual benefit auctioneer. He brings that storyteller's instinct to every event, along with some blunt advice on what quietly kills gala revenue: a bar next to the stage, a run of show that goes 40 minutes over, and fundraising that drags past 9 PM. You'll also hear: Why fund-a-need should bring in about 70% of your event revenue The simplest fix when your board won't fundraise Why energy equals enthusiasm equals dollars, in a straight line How one event sets up attendance and giving for the next one Why the auctioneer is the least important person in the room CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:36 Why real and personal fundraising works now 02:17 More money than ever, and donors can smell BS 03:21 Your board's circle of influence 05:05 Energy equals enthusiasm equals dollars 05:23 Have you told your board what to say 06:05 Find who actually makes the decisions 07:38 Personal stories beat AI form letters 09:18 Stop stewarding donors. Partner with them. 12:09 Reframe the ask as an invite 12:38 From TV news to the Good News Auctioneer 14:06 A renaissance in nonprofit events 14:56 Bringing auctions to new cultural communities 16:08 Beat analysis paralysis one step at a time 17:08 Joshua's Wish and the mom and pop nonprofit 18:14 Stepping stones: software, run of show, short speeches 20:25 Fundraising is harder, but the tools are there 21:27 Every event sets up the next one 23:12 Respect your nonprofit 24:47 The bow tie lesson 25:37 Rapid fire: wrap fundraising by 9 PM 26:12 Fund-a-need vs. live auction: the 70/30 split 26:44 A $25,000 ask in Spanish 27:14 How to reach George 27:45 The auctioneer is the echo for your cause 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book George for Your Event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com/auctioneers/george-franco Connect with George on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-franco-18774a64/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Your live auction is not stealing from your fund a need. Benefit auctioneer, coach, and game show host Seth Weiner (Your Rocktioneer, out of Atlanta) sits down with Trevor to take apart the myths and habits costing nonprofits money before, during, and after the event. Seth's whole approach starts on the front end. He shares the worksheet system he uses to work backwards from a fundraising goal, break it down by revenue stream, and pressure-test whether the number is realistic months out. He explains why walking into an event with a bird in the hand matters, why loading six consignment items into your live auction is usually a mistake, and how a golden ticket can put a bucket-list trip in front of 150 guests at $100 each instead of selling it once. The conversation moves into the part most events neglect: sponsorship and stewardship. Seth makes the case for treating sponsors as partners with a real ROI rather than logos on a banner, how to ask for more in a tighter giving climate without projecting your own budget onto donors, and why you should thank a donor seven times before you ask for anything. He also shares a free post-event toolkit with scripts and follow-up stats. Then the data. Seth breaks down his underbidder spotter concept, which he calls seven-seven: seven paddles up at $7,000 is seven donors you just identified. He shows how to use bidding behavior, silent auction test items, and board paddle data to build both next year's event and next year's major donors. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Catching up: music, travel, and New Orleans 03:35 Meet Seth Weiner, the coaching auctioneer 07:56 Why cheap trips and cheap auctioneers don't raise money 10:05 Being deliberate with your live auction 11:14 Working backwards from your fundraising goal 16:15 Asking for more in a tougher giving climate 18:16 Giving sponsors a real ROI 20:13 Turning sponsors into partners 24:25 Thank donors seven times before you ask 25:15 The free post-event stewardship toolkit 26:41 The underbidder spotter and the seven-seven 29:15 Drop a trip in the silent auction to test demand 30:52 Using board data to coach the paddle raise 31:43 The live auction doesn't steal from your fund a need 33:39 Why Seth runs the fund a need first 36:22 Rapid fire: stewardship, overthinking, and negotiating 40:25 Where to find Seth 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Seth for Your Next Event: https://www.yourrocktioneer.com/home1 Connect with Seth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shimoner/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most nonprofits treat auction software as a checkout tool. Mo treats it as a donor intelligence system. She covers why mobile bidding isn't too hard for older donors, the auto-close setting almost nobody turns on, the text message that can sell out a raffle in two minutes, and the platform fees quietly costing you donors. Then the real goldmine: the losing bidders and fund-a-need gifts sitting in your data after the event, and how to turn them into next year's major donors. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:15 Is mobile bidding too hard for older donors? 02:59 The concierge desk (and the sponsorship hiding in it) 04:39 The truth about paper backup 05:33 Paper recorders: your fund-a-need audit trail 06:42 The auction setting almost nobody turns on 07:26 Using text messages to create urgency 09:09 You don't need the priciest software 11:01 Platform fees are costing you donors 11:53 The item detail every org overlooks 13:18 The most common Saturday-night panic call 14:30 Reselling popular trips after bidding ends 16:08 The hidden donors in your losing bids 17:37 Why Mo does this and how to get her help 19:49 HGA uploads your auction items at no cost 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-hughes-433160a9/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Have questions for Morgan? Email her: [email protected] Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

The bid paddle has exactly one job: let the auctioneer identify the bidder number quickly and correctly. Get that right and it worked. Get it wrong, with cursive lettering, a busy background, or so many sponsor logos it looks like a NASCAR, and every other feature on it is wasted. In this episode, Xavier of Imprint Items sits down with Trevor to unpack the design decisions behind a paddle that actually functions. You'll learn why big, bold, high-contrast numbers beat every other design choice, why the handle is the smart place for a QR code or sponsor logo instead of the face of the paddle, why every element on the paddle should earn its spot with a clear purpose, and how color-coded paddles can quietly recognize VIPs, monthly givers, and legacy donors without saying a word. Xavier also makes the case that a well-designed custom paddle does double duty: guests keep them as souvenirs tied to the memory of the event, and a sponsor who pays to put their logo on the handle turns the paddle from an expense line into a source of revenue.If you plan galas, benefit auctions, or paddle raises, this is a practical look at a small detail that has an outsized effect on how smoothly your live auction runs. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:24 Meet Xavier and Imprint Items 01:41 Why the bid paddle is a science 02:39 The one job: readable numbers, high contrast 03:53 Don't get too fancy: cursive, QR codes, and NASCAR paddles 05:16 What belongs on the back vs. the handle 06:39 QR codes: only with a purpose 07:28 Beyond paddles: banners, table covers, event swag 09:56 Color-coded paddles to recognize VIPs and legacy donors 12:30 Turning a paddle expense into sponsor revenue 13:06 Where to find Xavier 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Check out Imprint Items website: https://www.imprintitems.com Connect with Xavier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-roy-3ab83b289/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most nonprofit revenue arrives restricted. Grants, endowments, and foundation gifts usually come earmarked for a specific use. Live auction income is the exception: it's unrestricted, which means it's the one line on your budget you can point at operations, staff salaries, or wherever the need is greatest. In this episode, Marty Murad of Murad Auctions unpacks the insight that stopped Trevor in his tracks, then gets tactical: how to back into your live auction goal with real per-item math, why selling a consignment package multiple times is the gold standard for maximizing value, and why professional bid spotters are worth their weight in gold instead of untrained volunteers. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:18 The LinkedIn post that started this 01:05 Why live auctions create unrestricted funds 02:34 Finding the right packages: ask your top donors where they travel 03:51 Backing into your goal with live auction math 04:51 The gold standard: selling packages multiple times 06:18 Does the live auction rob your fund-a-need? 08:34 The worst question to ask an auctioneer 09:21 How bid spotters add 200% more fundraisers to the room 11:47 Consignment: expense or cost of goods sold? 12:54 Where to find Marty 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Murad Auctions for your event: https://muradauctions.com Connect with Marty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helpingnon-profitsraisemoremoneyatevents/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Fundraising events don't plateau because the market got harder. They plateau because the organization goes quiet for twelve months and then asks for a table. In this episode of Hey Nonprofits!, Trevor sits down with Kat Leitner of Heron & Co. Design and Events (formerly Alora Events) to unpack what actually separates the galas raising seven figures from the ones stuck at the same number year after year. Kat makes the case for treating donor engagement as a 365-day development strategy that begins eight months before the event: identifying who you want in the room, why they connect to the mission, and what they'll see, hear, and feel on the night. She breaks down pre-commitment conversations (the Erin Kenzel approach to securing gifts before guests arrive), mission generators that give every attendee a way to participate regardless of giving level, and the impact video moment during the live program that most organizations waste. You'll also hear the data behind why events still work, Nathan Chappell's finding that attending three consecutive events is the greatest determinant of lifelong major giving, how corporate sponsorship expectations have evolved from pre-COVID logo visibility to today's relationship-driven partnerships, why social media has quietly faded as a fundraising priority, and the simple post-event feedback question that turns one-time sponsors into repeat supporters.Whether you're an executive director, development director, board member, or event planner, this conversation is a specific, tactical look at building donor relationships that compound year over year. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:28 "Do less to do more": Kat's 2026 fundraising philosophy 02:28 The ED's only job at a gala (stop worrying about the DJ) 03:40 Who's on your bus? Building the right fundraising team 05:28 Why $1M events beat $20K events: year-round engagement 07:12 Breaking the 300-guest, $250K plateau 09:44 Pre-commitment conversations that lock in gifts early 11:45 Mission generators: a giving level for everyone in the room 13:38 The data: 3 consecutive events makes a major donor 17:19 The impact video moment you're wasting 19:00 Custom sponsorships built backward from the goal 21:02 How sponsorships changed after COVID 22:19 Why social media is fading in fundraising 25:01 Don't make fundraising harder by procrastinating 27:33 The post-event question most planners skip 30:03 Differentiation over competition: be the pink elephant 31:23 Where to find Kat & Heron & Co. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Heron & Co. Design: https://heronandcoevent.com Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katleitner/ Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/ Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/ 💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙 This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY. To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/ Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/ Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most nonprofits chase a celebrity two months before their gala, email an agent, ask about money, and wonder why they get ghosted.Afam Onyema has spent 19 years doing the opposite. As CEO of the GEANCO Foundation, he has brought Oprah, Daniel Craig, Charize Theron, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Prince Harry and Meghan into the work of saving and transforming lives in Nigeria. In this episode he breaks down exactly how, and almost none of it is about asking for a check.The core idea: celebrities want to help, but the ask is usually terrible. It leads with money, it is transactional, and it is rushed. Afam walks Trevor through the ask that actually works: build the relationship first, ask on behalf of the people you serve, and offer the one thing that costs the celebrity nothing but raises you millions, which is access. Set visits, premiere tickets, and time with your donors turn a "no" into a repeatable revenue stream.Whether you run a soup kitchen in Toledo or a national foundation, there is a local athlete, actor, or executive within 100 miles of you who has never been asked the right way. This is how you ask.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:48 Afam's story: Nigeria to Chicago02:47 Turning down corporate law to save lives04:04 Why the Bay Area made GEANCO possible05:34 Access: the fundraising pillar you're ignoring06:41 Why transactional asks fail (it takes years, not weeks)07:52 Be fearless: you're asking on behalf of the cause11:20 Celebrities are human. Direct them like a director.12:40 Find the hometown celebrity nobody asks15:15 The ask that costs them $0 and raises millions18:07 Think outside the box: Nike, premieres, CharityBuzz20:58 Go deep, not broad26:33 How much outreach is too much?28:55 Everyone you know should know you're doing this29:22 Say what you do in one sentence31:26 Lead with story. Vulnerability is a superpower.34:58 How to reach Afam🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Afam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afam-onyema-1164182/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most nonprofits lose donors after the first gift and blame it on competition or a tight economy. It's usually neither. It's follow-up.Trevor Nelson sits down with philanthropic advisor Brittany Morrison to break down why donors give once and disappear, and the specific relationship moves that bring them back. From getting to know a donor before their balance sheet, to what to do the Monday after your event, to why asking for more isn't greedy, this one is a playbook for keeping the donors you already have.What you'll take away:Why the biggest missed opportunity in fundraising happens after the event, not during itHow to approach high-capacity donors without the fear they can smellWhy the sponsor kit is costing you sponsors, and what to send insteadHow to ask an existing donor for more without damaging the relationshipWhy your best next donor is already in your databaseChapters:00:00 Meet Brittany Morrison, Bespoke Advisory02:00 The mindset shift: capacity vs. aligned values03:46 Approaching high-net-worth donors: invitation, not obligation05:51 The biggest pitfalls and put-offs in the ask07:20 "Donors can smell your fear"08:38 Should you share your long-term plan?11:05 Events as a cracked door: the post-event follow-up gap14:40 Differentiation is stronger than competition18:56 Transacting vs. stewarding20:31 Getting the right people in the room23:25 Beyond the sponsor kit26:40 Why it's OK to ask for more, year over year29:33 Your best donors are already in your phone🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-morrison-b3b46138/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Most nonprofits think they're over-marketing their gala. They're not even close.Laurie from Auctria joins Trevor to break down what she calls the 85-Asset Rule — the number of marketing pieces one of her top-performing event planners uses to promote a single fundraising night. And the trick isn't creating 85 things from scratch. It's building one core mission, one core message, one core graphic, and multiplying it across every channel your donors touch.In this episode: why the nonprofits raising the most money treat their mission like a brand, how to build a network of "ambassadors" who cut through the noise your emails can't, why three social posts a day is not too much, and the case for stopping your Saturday-night gala habit and moving it to a Monday.Plus: Laurie's take on why donors are getting sharper at spotting BS, what the software team at Auctria is rolling out this fall, and why your fundraising software should never send you to a chatbot.🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Interested in Auctria for Your Event: https://www.auctria.comConnect with Laurie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-hochman-92095626/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest way to raise more money in your next event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/Feeling stuck with your fundraising? No matter where you are at in your journey, HGA offers FREE coaching for fundraisers: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/Need an auctioneer for your next event: https://charityauctioneerswelove.com

Every year it's the same fire drill - cold-calling local businesses, guessing at starting bids, and crossing your fingers that this year's silent auction table looks better than last year's. It doesn't have to be this way.In this 30 minute Summer Session, we'll be discussing: Why the "ask local businesses" playbook burns out your best volunteers - and what actually fills your auction table without the scramble.The bundling trick that turns a pile of disconnected donations into a package people fight over.The starting-bid formula that gets your items sold at what they're actually worth.🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Book Murad Auctions for Your Event: https://muradauctions.comSchedule a Meeting with Claire: https://calendly.com/clairemuradConnect with Claire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-murad-strategic-growth-for-nonprofit-fundraising-events/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Follow Hey Nonprofits! on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hey-non-profits-raise-more-money/💙 *ABOUT HGA FUNDRAISING* 💙This episode was brought to you by HGA Fundraising. The team at HGA helps event fundraisers create auction success with the most profitable (and mission focused) auction items in the space. Trips and experiences that excite donors, ignite bidding, and help your organization RAISE MORE MONEY.To learn more about HGA Fundraising click here: https://hgafundraising.com/trips-and-experiences/Easiest Way to Raise More Money at Your Next Event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/