Episode 32: Fundraising Auctions
About The Episode
This week on The Fundraising Elevator Kelly Russell of Artisan Auctions dives into the evolving landscape of fundraising auctions and activities. She shares the constants that remain unchanged post-pandemic and explores the need to balance gamification with inclusivity and mission alignment.
Show Notes
Optimizing Auction Items: Kelly shares insights on popular auction items, highlighting the appeal of experiential packages over subjective items like jewelry, and the importance of storytelling in enhancing bidder engagement.
Incentives in Appeals: Incentives play a crucial role in driving giving, with organizations strategically using them to encourage donations at specific levels. By aligning incentives with mission-focused initiatives, organizations can effectively motivate donors to increase their contributions.
Adapting to Online Platforms: Exploring the rise of online auctions, Kristen and Kelly discuss their effectiveness in extending event reach and engaging remote participants, providing examples of successful integration.
Regional Differences: Kelly shares insights on the diversity of auction strategies observed nationally and regionally, highlighting variations in audience preferences and event formats.
Creating Memorable Experiences: Kristen and Kelly delve into the concept of creating memorable experiences for auction winners, suggesting creative ways to enhance the value and storytelling potential of auction items, such as personalized labels on wine bottles.
Incentives and Gamification: Incentives and gamification are powerful tools within the realm of auctions, often falling under the umbrella of using items for good. Party boards emerge as a popular method, offering opportunities for community building and engagement. Kelly shares recommendations on how to make party boards successful.
Strategic Procurement: Be strategic with procurement targets by gauging guest interest through surveys and tailoring donation requests accordingly. Conduct brainstorming sessions with staff and committee members to uncover hidden treasures and unique experiences that attendees would value. Ensure that the person making the ask is well-connected to the donor, and plan ahead with both an initial ask and a backup plan.
Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show. This podcast is a production of elevatenonprofit.com sponsored by The AV Department. This episode is sponsored by Artisan Auctions.
About the Guests
Kelly Russell is an expert auction strategist and certified benefit auctioneer who has helped organizations raise over $200 million in support of their great work.
Kelly leads her team of fundraising professionals to produce auctions that consistently exceed client goals, and Kelly’s remarkable results keep clients coming back year after year. With 18 years of profitable auctions behind her, Kelly’s passion is coaching nonprofit organizations and schools on how to maximize their revenue while eliminating wasted time and effort.
When she isn’t planning auctions and raising record-breaking revenue, you can find Kelly traveling the globe, hosting (and crushing) game night, or relaxing with a fizzy beverage among friends in the great outdoors. Kelly and her team are dedicated to one mission: powerful fundraising for positive change.
Resources
Upcoming Episode
In the next episode, join hosts Kristin and Sam as they talk to VR storyteller Rachel Bracker about the potential of VR storytelling for nonprofits.
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