By: Erin Williams, Partner Fundraising Auctioneer & Consultant Fundraising events are often the most visible expression of a nonprofit’s mission. They bring together donors, community partners, and advocates in a room filled with possibility. But too often, one of the nonprofit’s greatest assets – the Board of Directors – isn’t fully activated in the [...]
By: Erin Williams, Partner Fundraising Auctioneer & Consultant Whether you're planning a gala, luncheon, or cocktail reception, your sponsorship packet is more than a list of benefits—it's your first opportunity to spark meaningful partnerships. Recently, I had the opportunity to review a sponsorship package from Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, and the experience reminded [...]
By: Scott Jones, Senior Partner Raising Paddles, MPA, CFRE, CAI, BAS Thursday Galas: A Bold Move or a Missed Opportunity? When planning a fundraising gala, one of the biggest decisions a nonprofit faces is choosing the perfect day to host the event. While Fridays and Saturdays are traditionally popular, Thursday galas are emerging as [...]
By: Scott Jones, MPA, CFRE, CAI, BAS Senior Auctioneer & Consultant Raising Paddles The holiday season offers nonprofits a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude to their donors and stakeholders. Here are some heartfelt ways to show appreciation and strengthen these vital relationships: 1. Personal Thank-You Notes A handwritten thank-you note can convey genuine [...]
By: Scott Jones, MPA, CFRE, CAI, BAS Effective storytelling is a powerful tool for nonprofit fundraisers, transforming statistical data and white paper narratives into compelling stories that resonate with donors on an emotional level. The key is to simplify the message, making it as digestible and appealing as a 'juicy cheeseburger' rather than an [...]
If you are looking for ways to increase visibility to your mission, there is a program thru Google that offers non-profits grants to help them promote their cause and increase visibility to attract more donors and supporters, as well as increase visibility to those who might become recipients of your mission. Of course, you [...]
The short answer is….BOTH! While most non-profit galas include both a live auction and a paddle raise, some will stick with one or the other. You will see one organization that is uncomfortable asking their donors who support them throughout the year to give again at their gala. Another organization will express concern that [...]
By: Erin Williams, Fundraising Auctioneer & Consultant Our Raising Paddles team is hard at work helping nonprofit clients prepare for a great fall season of fundraising! As you are planning your fall fundraising gala, ask yourself, or better yet reach out to a few key donors to learn ways to improve their donor experience. [...]
Is There a Secret Sauce for a Successful Fund A Need (FAN)? You bet there is..... Why are some FANs more successful than others? Why do some small groups have more successful FANs than large groups? How do you conduct a FAN that makes people want to raise their paddle? Well, we're glad you asked. [...]
8 Mission Video Storytelling Tips By: Scott Jones As the famous saying goes, stories make the world go round. They help non-profits build personal connections, based on empathy, trust, and compassion with their supporters through the act of storytelling. People process visuals 60,000 times better than text, which makes storytelling quite important these days. Therefore, [...]
