Webinar Series
Hey Nonprofits! LIVE — Webinar Series
Free weekly trainings hosted by Trevor Nelson and powered by HGA Fundraising. This is not your grandma's webinar — no boring slide decks, no talking heads reading off a script. Just real conversations with the sharpest minds in fundraising, live, with your questions answered in real time.
Thought leaders, in one room
Top charity auctioneers, fundraising consultants, and seasoned event chairs share what's actually working at the country's highest-grossing galas.
Our best information, given away
Every playbook we use to help 2,000+ events per year — package strategy, run-of-show, paddle raise, Golden Ticket math — handed to you, no strings.
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Register for any upcoming session, or browse the back catalog. Every recording stays free so your whole board can watch on their schedule.
2 upcoming live sessions — register free
Ballroom Energy Isn't Luck. It's Logistics.
The 2019 International Auctioneer Champion on everything that happens before the mic goes live, and why it decides how high the paddles go. You can feel it the second the live auction starts. The room either leans in or reaches for its phones. That moment usually got decided hours earlier: where the stage went, when dinner hit the tables, and whether anyone briefed the spotters. Trey Morris has worked rooms for St. Jude, Make-A-Wish, and the American Heart Association. He's joining us to show you what he checks before he ever picks up the mic. In 30 minutes (plus Overtime Q&A), you'll learn: The room setup choices that quietly cost you bids. These include stage placement, sound, sightlines, and who's sitting up front. How to build a run of show that protects your peak. Your best energy should land on your live auction, not your salad course. The pre-event huddle every auctioneer wishes you'd run. It's what lets your spotters catch every paddle, including the second bidder on your hottest package. About Trey Morris Trey has been on the auction block since he was 13, when a veteran auctioneer faked a coughing fit to see what the kid could do. He's now a three-time champion: 2019 International, 2014 Canadian, and 2012 Kentucky State. He's also the voice of Barrett-Jackson on Discovery and MotorTrend+, and he's shared the stage with A-list celebrities, pro athletes, and country music stars. He's still a Kentucky farm kid at heart, and he's still pinching himself.
From Gala Attendee to Major Donor: Building the Year-End Conversation
Your Next Major Donor Already Bought a Ticket They bought the ticket. They bid on the trip. They stood up for Fund-a-Need. Then the event wrapped, the to-do list reset, and the conversation never happened. The distance between a great event night and a major gift is one conversation. On our final October episode, Julie Ordonez joins Trevor to build that conversation live: who to sit down with, what to say, and how to make the ask before December 31. Bring a pen. Here's what's on the table: How to spot which attendees are ready for a bigger conversation, based on what they actually did at your event The opener, the questions, and the ask, built out word for word How to use the year-end deadline as a reason to talk instead of a pressure tactic What to say when the answer is "not this year"
Catch up on past episodes
The latest 12 episodes from our "Weekly Live Series" — pulled live from our @HeyNonprofits YouTube channel. Every replay is free to watch — subscribe over there to get notified the moment we publish a new one.
On demandYour Best Item Is in the Wrong Slot: Building the Perfect Live Auction
Great items. Wrong order. Flat room. Put the showstopper up first and the room peaks before it's warmed up. Line up three beach getaways back to back and your bidders start competing with each other instead of against each other. Close on a whimper and the energy walks straight out the door. Chris Hensley has built lineups for events of every size. He'll walk you through how to put the right items in the right order, and share the one-of-a-kind packages that have worked best in his rooms. The batting order: where to place your opener, your showstopper, and your closer so the room keeps climbing Why variety is a revenue strategy: how duplicate items quietly split your bidder pool, and the mix that gives every bidder in the room a reason to raise a paddle Custom packages that sell themselves: Chris's best one-of-a-kind bundles, and how to build experiences only your organization can offer. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 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/ Easiest Way to Raise More Money at Your Next Event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/
On demandFundraising Is a Team Sport: How to Staff Your Nonprofit Gala
Here's event night at a lot of organizations. The development director is fixing a guest who isn't on the list, rounding up speakers for mic checks, and answering "where do I pay?" at 9:45PM. Rewind six weeks. Same person, rewriting auction item descriptions at midnight and resizing sponsor logos. It's not a people problem. It's a staffing structure problem, and it pulls your team away from the one job nobody else can do: building relationships with the people in the room. Jordan Johnson, founder of GOAT Events, joins Trevor to break down what it looks like when your team is actually supported, from the online auction catalog to the last guest out the door. What you'll walk away with: What your staff should be doing on event night, and the tasks quietly stealing that time The check-in miss that leaves guests without a paddle number before the auction even starts What "donor-ready" auction items look like on a phone, and why most catalogs fall short The raw materials you already have, and what it takes to turn them into something bidders want to scroll 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goatjordanjohnson/ 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/
On demandThe 8-Week Countdown to Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is 8 weeks away. If your year-end campaign is still a vague idea on a whiteboard, this episode is your reset button. Jena Lynch from Donorbox joins Trevor to break down the exact timeline — what to do this week, what to do in November, and what "too late" actually looks like (spoiler: you're probably not there yet). What you'll walk away with: The case for support that actually gets a yes — why "we need money" doesn't work and what to say instead The week-by-week countdown to Giving Tuesday, plus the catch-up plan if you're starting late How to turn your gala and auction donors into year-round givers instead of one-and-done event attendees The stewardship habits that build a recurring giving program out of donors you already have If you've got event donors sitting in your database who haven't heard from you since the last thank-you email, this is the episode that turns them into your year-end campaign's warmest leads. 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5941083723857920 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Jena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenaatdonorbox/ 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/
On demandGALA 911 LIVE!
On this special episode of Hey Nonprofits! LIVE we're taking a real gala - submitted by an organization in our community and giving it a real diagnosis! 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Abra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraannes/ 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
On demandBuilding Your Unicorn Board
100% Give/Get. Zero resume-padders. Here's how one CEO built a board that works. In March, Heart Gift's board helped clear $1.2 million at one gala. She's telling you exactly how she built it, and how you can build yours. Every nonprofit leader says the same thing about their board: "I wish they fundraised more." Christy Casey-Moore doesn't have that problem. Ten years running HeartGift — a nonprofit that flies kids from countries without access to pediatric cardiology into the U.S. for life-saving heart surgery — she's built what she calls a "unicorn board": 100% give-or-get, zero resume-builders, and every single member bought into the mission before they ever got the ask. 🔗 *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 at Your Next Event: https://hgafundraising.com/golden-ticket/
On demandSkeleton Crew, Solid Revenue: How Small Nonprofits Fundraise without Burning Out
You've got one person (maybe two) doing the job of five. This episode is about what to stop doing, what to hand off, and how to stop betting your whole year on one event going right. If your entire fundraising strategy is "hope the gala goes well," you don't have a strategy - you have a countdown. Renee Zau of DonationMatch joins Trevor to talk about what actually changes when a one- or two-person team stops trying to do everything themselves. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Renee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneezau/ 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/
On demandWhy Your Sponsors Keep Ghosting You | Lori Zoss Kraska
You send the pitch. You never hear back. Here's how to find the right corporate sponsors, get a response the first time, and turn them into partners who renew year after year - whether your list is 3 companies or 300. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorizoss/ 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/
On demandThe Silent Auction Playbook - Part 2 | Claire Murad & Trevor Nelson
Claire Murad's back for another 30-minutes Summer Session - and this time we're talking about the money nobody's asking for. Your silent auction items are covered. But is your silent auction underwritten? Are you actually marketing it hard enough to get bids moving before the clock runs out? Claire's tackling all of it - plus the VIP-only section that gives your best items (and a sponsor) a room of their own. What you'll walk away with: How to pitch a business on sponsoring your silent auction (or one category of it) - and what they actually get in return What "underwriting" an item or category looks like How to market the auction before and during your event so items get seen and bids build real momentum How a VIP-only section - whether it's off-limits to online bidders or saved for an exclusive cocktail reception - turns your best items into a reason to show up live, and its own sponsorable category 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 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/
On demandLive Auction Masterclass: Beyond 101 | Trevor Nelson & Jason Ledlow
A live auction package doesn't have to sell just once. Structured right, the same multi-sale package can sell 3, 4, even 12 times in one room - and it's not about a better crowd or a lucky night. We started calling this one "Live Auction 101." Then we got into it and realized - this is way past a 101. This is a Masterclass in the strategies that take your live auction to the next level. If you've been running live auctions for years: this is where you find the sales that were sitting right in front of you the whole time. If this is your first auction: we're handing you the structure it took other organizations years to figure out. Skip the learning curve. Join us to learn: How to structure a multi-sale package to raise thousands in minutes The sequencing that keeps momentum building all night instead of fading after the first big item The most common live auction mistakes even experienced organizations are still making A straightforward setup if this is your first time running a live auction at all 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonledlow/ 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/
On demandLet's Talk Consignment! | Trevor Nelson & Sandy Hilsenrath
Thousands of events have taught HGA a thing or two about what sells at auction and what sits on the table untouched. We're breaking down consignment travel: What's hot and what's not in consignment auction items right now How to build out your silent auction and live auction lineup so each one pulls its weight Bonus: the two additions to the start and end of your event that can add $15K+ 30 minutes with Trevor, plus an Ask T Anything on building a better auction — bring your questions. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Connect with Sandy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrahilsenrath/ 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/
On demandThe Silent Auction Playbook | Claire Murad
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.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/
On demandGala ROI: Is it still worth it? | Jason Ledlow & Trevor Nelson
*This episode is a Hey Nonprofits! Summer Session - 30 minutes that will change how you walk into your next event. Every gala committee eventually asks the same question: is this still worth it? This episode gives you a real answer — not a gut feeling — and a clear next step no matter what the numbers say. Join us as we breakdown how to read your own numbers honestly and determine if your gala deserves a second chance, a redesign, or a graceful exit. 🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗 Book a Coaching Call with Jason: https://hgafundraising.com/nonprofit-coaching/ Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonledlow/ 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
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