Hey Nonprofits!

Your live auction is not stealing from your fund a need. Benefit auctioneer, coach, and game show host Seth Weiner (Your Rocktioneer, out of Atlanta) sits down with Trevor to take apart the myths and habits costing nonprofits money before, during, and after the event.Seth's whole approach starts on the front end. He shares the worksheet system he uses to work backwards from a fundraising goal, break it down by revenue stream, and pressure-test whether the number is realistic months out. He explains why walking into an event with a bird in the hand matters, why loading six consignment items into your live auction is usually a mistake, and how a golden ticket can put a bucket-list trip in front of 150 guests at $100 each instead of selling it once.The conversation moves into the part most events neglect: sponsorship and stewardship. Seth makes the case for treating sponsors as partners with a real ROI rather than logos on a banner, how to ask for more in a tighter giving climate without projecting your own budget onto donors, and why you should thank a donor seven times before you ask for anything. He also shares a free post-event toolkit with scripts and follow-up stats.Then the data. Seth breaks down his underbidder spotter concept, which he calls seven-seven: seven paddles up at $7,000 is seven donors you just identified. He shows how to use bidding behavior, silent auction test items, and board paddle data to build both next year's event and next year's major donors.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:44 Catching up: music, travel, and New Orleans03:35 Meet Seth Weiner, the coaching auctioneer07:56 Why cheap trips and cheap auctioneers don't raise money10:05 Being deliberate with your live auction11:14 Working backwards from your fundraising goal16:15 Asking for more in a tougher giving climate18:16 Giving sponsors a real ROI20:13 Turning sponsors into partners24:25 Thank donors seven times before you ask25:15 The free post-event stewardship toolkit26:41 The underbidder spotter and the seven-seven29:15 Drop a trip in the silent auction to test demand30:52 Using board data to coach the paddle raise31:43 The live auction doesn't steal from your fund a need33:39 Why Seth runs the fund a need first36:22 Rapid fire: stewardship, overthinking, and negotiating40:25 Where to find Seth🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Book Seth for Your Next Event: https://www.yourrocktioneer.com/home1Connect with Seth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shimoner/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

Most nonprofits treat auction software as a checkout tool. Mo treats it as a donor intelligence system. She covers why mobile bidding isn't too hard for older donors, the auto-close setting almost nobody turns on, the text message that can sell out a raffle in two minutes, and the platform fees quietly costing you donors. Then the real goldmine: the losing bidders and fund-a-need gifts sitting in your data after the event, and how to turn them into next year's major donors.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:15 Is mobile bidding too hard for older donors?02:59 The concierge desk (and the sponsorship hiding in it)04:39 The truth about paper backup05:33 Paper recorders: your fund-a-need audit trail06:42 The auction setting almost nobody turns on07:26 Using text messages to create urgency09:09 You don't need the priciest software11:01 Platform fees are costing you donors11:53 The item detail every org overlooks13:18 The most common Saturday-night panic call14:30 Reselling popular trips after bidding ends16:08 The hidden donors in your losing bids17:37 Why Mo does this and how to get her help19:49 HGA uploads your auction items at no cost🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-hughes-433160a9/Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-nelson-b8922a167/Have questions for Morgan? Email her: [email protected] 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 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 Intro00:24 Meet Xavier and Imprint Items01:41 Why the bid paddle is a science02:39 The one job: readable numbers, high contrast03:53 Don't get too fancy: cursive, QR codes, and NASCAR paddles05:16 What belongs on the back vs. the handle06:39 QR codes: only with a purpose07:28 Beyond paddles: banners, table covers, event swag09:56 Color-coded paddles to recognize VIPs and legacy donors12:30 Turning a paddle expense into sponsor revenue13:06 Where to find Xavier🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Check out Imprint Items website: https://www.imprintitems.comConnect 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

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.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:18 The LinkedIn post that started this01:05 Why live auctions create unrestricted funds02:34 Finding the right packages: ask your top donors where they travel03:51 Backing into your goal with live auction math04:51 The gold standard: selling packages multiple times06:18 Does the live auction rob your fund-a-need?08:34 The worst question to ask an auctioneer09:21 How bid spotters add 200% more fundraisers to the room11:47 Consignment: expense or cost of goods sold?12:54 Where to find Marty🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Book Murad Auctions for your event: https://muradauctions.comConnect 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

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 Leitner 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 Intro00:28 "Do less to do more": Kat's 2026 fundraising philosophy02:28 The ED's only job at a gala (stop worrying about the DJ)03:40 Who's on your bus? Building the right fundraising team05:28 Why $1M events beat $20K events: year-round engagement07:12 Breaking the 300-guest, $250K plateau09:44 Pre-commitment conversations that lock in gifts early11:45 Mission generators: a giving level for everyone in the room13:38 The data: 3 consecutive events makes a major donor17:19 The impact video moment you're wasting19:00 Custom sponsorships built backward from the goal21:02 How sponsorships changed after COVID22:19 Why social media is fading in fundraising25:01 Don't make fundraising harder by procrastinating27:33 The post-event question most planners skip30:03 Differentiation over competition: be the pink elephant31:23 Where to find Kat & Heron & Co.🔗 *CONNECT WITH US* 🔗Heron & Co. Design: https://heronandcoevent.comConnect 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