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Hey Nonprofits! — the #1 nonprofit podcast for better fundraising events
Practical advice. Real fundraising experts. New episode every Tuesday.
Hosted by Trevor Nelson and powered by HGA Fundraising, Hey Nonprofits! brings on real fundraising experts — people who've actually run the galas, written the grants, and built the donor pipelines — for conversations packed with strategy and a little humor. Every episode is built to hand you one fundraising idea you can put to work this week, whether it's donor engagement, event execution, or board buy-in.
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After 2,000 Galas, Here's What Actually Makes Donors Give More | Rob Giardinelli
Rob Giardinelli has attended over 2,000 fundraising galas. He joins Trevor to break down what actually makes donors give more — and the small shifts that move the needle at your next event.
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Your Bid Paddle Lost You Money
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
Live Auction Dollars Pay For What Grants Can't
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. Topics: nonprofit fundraising, live auctions, benefit auctioneers, bid spotters and ringmen, consignment packages, fund-a-need, paddle raise strategy, donor cultivation. 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
This Question Turns a $20K Gala Into $1M Gala
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 Lightner 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
Celebrities Aren't the Problem...Your Ask Is Terrible
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. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:48 Afam's story: Nigeria to Chicago 02:47 Turning down corporate law to save lives 04:04 Why the Bay Area made GEANCO possible 05:34 Access: the fundraising pillar you're ignoring 06:41 Why transactional asks fail (it takes years, not weeks) 07:52 Be fearless: you're asking on behalf of the cause 11:20 Celebrities are human. Direct them like a director. 12:40 Find the hometown celebrity nobody asks 15:15 The ask that costs them $0 and raises millions 18:07 Think outside the box: Nike, premieres, CharityBuzz 20:58 Go deep, not broad 26:33 How much outreach is too much? 28:55 Everyone you know should know you're doing this 29:22 Say what you do in one sentence 31:26 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
Stop Losing Donors. Start Following Up.
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 it How to approach high-capacity donors without the fear they can smell Why the sponsor kit is costing you sponsors, and what to send instead How to ask an existing donor for more without damaging the relationship Why your best next donor is already in your database Chapters: 00:00 Meet Brittany Morrison, Bespoke Advisory 02:00 The mindset shift: capacity vs aligned values 03:46 Approaching high-net-worth donors: invitation, not obligation 05:51 The biggest pitfalls and put-offs in the ask 07:20 "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 gap 14:40 Differentiation is stronger than competition 18:56 Transacting vs. stewarding 20:31 Getting the right people in the room 23:25 Beyond the sponsor kit 26:40 Why it's OK to ask for more, year over year 29:33 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
The 85-Asset Rule: How Top Nonprofits Actually Market Their Galas | Laurie Hochman
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.com Connect 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
The Auctioneer Mistake That's Killing Your Fundraiser | Jordan Agolli
Four nonprofits in a row told Jordan Agolli the same thing about their previous auctioneer: they felt like the person with the microphone cared more about themselves than the mission. Jordan, a benefit auctioneer and emcee based out of Atlanta, joins Trevor to break down what he's hearing from organizations interviewing him, why the line between confidence and cockiness on stage is thinner than most people think, and the rule he lives by: an auctioneer should only say their own name twice all night. Once at the intro, once at the close. In this episode: what to actually ask an auctioneer or MC before you hire them, why the person benefiting from the mission is a more powerful speaker than anyone with a microphone, how strong board involvement changes the ceiling of your fundraising night, and Jordan's blunt reminder to every auctioneer in the space, this event would happen with or without you. Plus: Jordan's own story of losing five years to a back injury, rebuilding from scratch, and coming back to the stage with less ego and more listening. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:49 Building Connections in the Nonprofit Space 05:04 Jordan's Journey into Auctioneering 13:55 Overcoming Challenges and Health Struggles 17:55 Understanding Nonprofit Culture and Values 21:47 Importance of Alignment in Event Planning 23:19 The Power of Listening in Fundraising 27:41 Understanding the Mission: The Key to Success 30:41 Marketing Strategies for Nonprofits 36:02 Connecting with the Community 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Jordan for Your Event: https://www.jordanagolli.com Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-agolli/ 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
Why Your Check-In Line Is Costing You Donors | Chris O'Shea & Livia Christensen
Most fundraisers think of check-in as a hospitality problem. Livia Christensen and Chris O'Shea of C2 Auctions think it's a fundraising problem and they have the data to prove it. Livia and Chris manage guest lists and staff registration for some of the biggest galas in the country. Every event, they see the same pattern: the organizations that treat check-in as an afterthought lose donors before their auctioneer ever takes the stage. In this episode, they walk through the three things that make or break a gala check-in and why most orgs get all three wrong. In this episode: why putting your advancement team at the registration table is the worst use of their most valuable hour, the ratio of registration staff to guests you should actually be planning for (and why alphabetical check-in lines are always a mistake), what a clean guest list signals to your donors about how you'll steward their money, why "guest of" fields on your list are a red flag for the whole night, the credit-card-on-file threshold you should hit before your event starts (Chris's team benchmarks at 40%), and why free auction software almost always costs more than paid…one line that will save some organizations thousands. Plus: the peak-end principle from behavioral psychology and how it should shape the last touchpoint your guest has before they leave the room. 00:00 Intro 00:49 Overview of Check-In and Check-Out 08:30 Importance of a Clean Guest List 21:00 Final Thoughts and Best Practices 26:55 Streamlining Check-In/Check-Out Processes 30:05 Role of Hospitality in Event Success 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Hire Chris & Livia for Your Event: https://c2auctions.net Connect with Livia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livia-christensen-8779983/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-o-shea-38604181/ 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
Hollywood Playbook for Fundraising Galas | Rick Toone
Most fundraising events are planned like logistics problems. Rick Toone plans them like Hollywood shoots them. Rick spent 20 years in Los Angeles as an art director and lighting designer for A-list clients — Ridley Scott, David Fincher, over 50 Super Bowl commercials, an Emmy nomination, Whitney Houston's first lighting designer. Then he moved to Mexico, joined a nonprofit, and grew its gala from $70K to $300K in three years. Now he runs a company called Run of Show Playbook, and this episode is a walk through the Hollywood-trained framework he applies to nonprofit galas. In this episode: why every gala needs a script before the venue, menu, or flowers get booked, why you should never say "thank you" at your event (and when to say it instead), the three types of donors in every room — habit, heart, and head — and how to write for all three, why the audience is the hero of the story and not the mission, how the best interruptions come from the water-cooler conversations your staff has that never make it into the messaging, and the difference between telling a story and building a messaging arc. Plus: what a 56-take Kevin Costner beer commercial can teach you about scripting your next paddle raise. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:01 Living the Dream in Mexico 05:18 The Power of Listening 06:51 From Hollywood to Fundraising 11:09 The Importance of Messaging 15:48 Interrupting the Loop in Fundraising 21:05 The Importance of Audience Engagement 22:44 Balancing Heroes: Audience vs Mission 26:19 The Role of Impact in Fundraising 28:27 Stories from Hollywood: Lessons Learned 31:54 The Value of Honest Feedback and Audience Understanding 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Work with Rick on Your Next Event: https://www.runofshowplaybook.com Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricktoone/ 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
A 10-Year CEO, a $1.2M Gala, and a Board With 100% Give | Christy Casey-Moore
Most CEOs of nonprofits have opinions about boards. Christy Casey-Moore has a 100% give rate and a $1.2M gala to back hers up. Christy is the CEO of Heart Gift, a global nonprofit that brings children from other countries to the United States for life-saving heart surgeries they can't access at home. Ten years in, she joins Trevor to walk through what it actually takes to build a board that fundraises, a team that supports each other under real pressure, and an event that clears seven figures. In this episode: why Christy can spot a hiring fit in the first five minutes of an interview, how she structures her board around give-or-get with no resume builders allowed, the controversial thing she tells nonprofits about marketing spend ("put your seatbelt on"), why she doesn't seat major donors at her own table on gala night, the exact job she hands her board members the moment they walk into the event, and why she stopped thanking donors in the moment during the auction — and started catching them later instead. Plus: what Christy does the Monday morning after every gala that most CEOs don't. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:15 Christy Casey-Moore and HeartGift Foundation 02:09 Board Engagement and Organizational Culture 04:06 Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Leadership Symmetry 05:17 About HeartGift and Its Mission 06:42 Team Size, Hiring Lessons, and Culture Fit 10:27 Supportive Organizational Culture 14:09 Building a Unicorn Board 18:17 Event Night Responsibilities and Strategies 22:06 Missions Clarity and Marketing Investment 27:04 Leadership, Listening, and Continuous Learning 31:00 Evolution of Fundraising and Donor Engagement 37:14 Post-Event Follow-up and Gratitude 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Christy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christycaseymoore/ 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
What Two Auctioneers Wish Every Nonprofit Knew Before Their Gala | Chris Hensley & Brett Higgins
Most fundraising galas leave money on the table for reasons the people running them never see. Chris Hensley and Brett Higgins, two of the most in-demand fundraising auctioneers in the country, join Trevor to work through five of the sharpest questions raised at the recent Chicago Gala Playbook event. What separates the organizations that consistently overperform from the ones that stay stuck at last year's number? Where does the fundraising actually break down in a program? And what does it look like to create inspiration to give without slipping into pressure? In this episode: the six-month mistake most nonprofits make (spoiler, it involves ignoring the data from last year's event), why "we don't want to ask for too much money" is almost always a symptom of a past bad experience, the difference between pressure and inspiration and when each has a place, the concept of "unspoken peer pressure" and how leaders in the room quietly move giving upward, why the witching hour at 9:15pm is real and what to do about your program timing, and the one thing organizations overestimate every year (the room, the dinner, the linens) versus the one thing that actually moves revenue. Plus: why Chris raised $1.2M against a $400K goal at a Relevant Radio event, and what "taking the lid off" the top ask can look like when the room is emotionally ready. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:41 Gala Playbook in Chicago 09:25 Data-Driven Fundraising 18:25 The Art of Asking 23:00 Creating Inspiration to Give Instead of Pressure 32:09 Creating a Unique Experience for Fundraising Events 38:09 The Right Places to Focus 43:32 One Piece of Advice You Would Give to a Nonprofit 45:54 Bonus 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book Brett for Your Event: https://www.bretthiggins.com Book Chris for Your Event: https://www.bidraisebid.com/chrishensley Connect with Brett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretthiggins/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: 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/ The Easiest Way to Raise More Money at Your Next Event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/
How to Market Your Live Auction Before the Event | Claire Murad
Most nonprofits spend months curating the perfect live auction lineup and then assume their guests will figure it out when they get to the event. Claire Murad of Murad Auctions joins Trevor to make the case that this is leaving serious money on the table. With 26 years in the auction space, Claire breaks down what she calls the 6-touch rule: your guests need to see your live auction items at least six times before they sit down for the live auction. Anything less and the light bulb doesn't go off in time. In this episode: why 75% of your event revenue is riding on a marketing problem most orgs ignore, the exact timeline for teasing items (two weeks out — not earlier, not later), why text messages outperform emails and what time of day to actually hit send, how to make your pre-event messaging short and on-theme instead of stuffed with restrictions, and the creative night-of tactics Claire has seen work — from Vanna White-style placard walkers in cocktail hour to 10-foot lit display boards to custom bid paddles with QR codes linking to the auction catalog. Plus: why your auctioneer should be working the cocktail hour, not warming up backstage. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:36 Successful Auction Promotion 05:30 Timing for Teaser Campaigns 06:55 Keeping Messages Brief and Engaging 07:35 Creative Promotional Ideas During Your Event 09:00 Using Visual Displays and On-Site Promotion 12:13 Educating Bidders Early 13:30 Using Social Media and Digital Tools 14:29 Where to Find More Resources and Connect 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Marketing Your Live Auction Blog: https://muradauctions.com/how-to-promote-your-live-auction-for-maximum-revenue/ Live Auction eBook: https://muradauctions.com/auction-resources/live-auction-theme-playbook/ Book Murad Auctions for Your Event: https://muradauctions.com Schedule a Meeting with Claire: https://calendly.com/clairemurad Connect 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/
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