Why Nonprofit Auctions?
Auctions Speak Louder Than Words
“The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
The idea of using an auctioneer may be new to your nonprofit organization. Why take a different approach? In addition to diversifying your fund-raising tactics, benefit auctions and galas can provide unique incentives to donors.
Auctions are different – even novel.
A donor may be weary of another dinner where they are made to cry and and then asked for money, but may find an auction intriguing. The rhythmic cadence of an auctioneer turns heads. Even if someone seems uninterested in bidding, the process is impossible to ignore. Often, the sheer fascination generated by an auction can convert spectators into bidders.
In addition to riffing for dollars, auctioneers have their own unique intermissions. Inspiring stories, homespun tales, and laugh-out-loud humor can cause audience members to be fully present.
Industry research demonstrates 83% of people think auctions are an interesting and entertaining way to obtain goods and services at reasonable prices. When a good cause is factored into the mix, this satisfaction level may rise even higher. Did we mention 97% of the public have a favorable view of auctioneers? (Not all auctioneers use an auction cadence all the time. The approach is determined by the client and nature of the event.)
Auctions are decisive.
Traditional fund-raising methods can drag on and require repeated appeals. Auctions, on the other hand, are decisive. A request is made, an offer is given and a good or service is provided.
Auctioneers do much of the heavy administrative lifting.
Concern over “What’s that worth?” can stump many fund raisers. For example, should you start bidding at $100 or $1,000? Auctioneers have the expertise and data to determine the best price range for products and services offered at benefit events.
We take care of the fine print.
Legal matters. Shipping. Payment. We not only sell it, we get it signed, sealed and delivered – literally.
Auctioneers get results for serious causes.
Although auctioneers don’t tend to take themselves seriously, they know when a cause matters. They’ve raised millions for organizations benefitting children, women, conservation, health care, faith-based groups and more. Auctioneers have the ability to not only generate dollars, but to inspire the crowds that gather to embrace the mission. Their delicate balance of energy and empathy elevates worthy causes.