Events with Benefits®

Today's special guest is Laurene Mitchell, a veteran fund developer for Heritage Park in Calgary, Alberta. In this episode she shares diverse fundraising tips to generate more money by producing unique, fresh events.

Topics covered include:

• History and background of Heritage Park
• Strategies they've used to stay "in the black " for 53 years
• How they keep the big annual fundraiser fresh and entertaining
• Games & raffles (like the 'Blind Bid auction')

...and more! To contact Mitchell, email Lmitchell[at]heritagepark.ca

Today's special guest is Stephen Kilbreath, professional Benefit Auctioneer Specialist based in Seattle, Washington. Kilbreath draws on 25 years' experience in charity fundraising to share practical tips and cutting-edge ideas to get the most out of your event. Topics include:

• Why and how to start planning the auction 9 to 12 months out
• How many live auction items is too many - and how to solve it
• Event timeline tips
• Revenue maximizers (like selling multiples in the live auction)
• Tips to set up a successful fund-a-need

Learn from an auctioneer who's seen firsthand what works and what doesn't when it comes to auction fundraising.

To learn more about the services of Stephen Kilbreath Auctions & Events, visit www.yourbenefitauction.com

Today's special guest is Brad Mastaler, Past President and active member of the Spruce Grove Rotary Club in Alberta, Canada. Mastaler shares insights from 25 years of involvement with the Rotary Club's Annual Lobster Fest. Topics covered include:

• How do you keep a 25-year-old event fresh?
• Tips for procuring auction items
• Why and how to ask for feedback about your event
• Stories of troubleshooting auction snafus (like the impromptu midnight lobster feed)
• Shifting demographics of guest attendees

"I’ve done their event the past 24 years and consider it a premiere example of a Rotary Auction," shares show host Danny Hooper. You won't want to miss these practical tips and anecdotes to raise more money at your next event."

Today's special guest is Dianne Young, strategist and visionary in the nonprofit space. In this session, Young shares tips and personal stories from decades of fundraising experience, including:

• Young's transition from business roles (like community partnerships) to nonprofit strategy
• How good relationship stewarding increased Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation revenue from $700K to $12M in 5 years
• Examples of "WOW" worthy auction items
• Creative event themes and activities
• How to put the "d" back in fundraising

...and more! For more information on Young's services, visit www.youngteamltd.com

Today's special guest is Leena Patidar, Co-Founder and CEO of CoinUp. This app is designed to capture the "spare change" from users' credit card purchases and automatically donate it to select causes. In this episode, Patidar shares:

• History of fundraising app CoinUp, winner of the 2017 Startup Tech of the Year Pinnacle Award
• Features of CoinUp that make giving painless
• How to register your charity

About Coin Up:
Coin Up is an innovative mobile app that provides a platform for donors to give effortlessly and securely to their favorite charitable cause. Once registered, the app rounds up purchases made on your credit or debit card and sends funds to your chosen charity. Coin Up's mission is to create a society that engages in charitable giving through the convenience of everyday transactions. Download the App free on the App Store or, sign up online at: https://www.coinupapp.com.

For more information, email hollerback[at]coinupapp.com or tweet @CoinUpApp

Today's special guest is Kathy Kingston, fundraising auction strategist, professional benefit auctioneer, and author of A Higher Bid: How to Transform Special Event Fundraising with Strategic Auctions. Kingston draws on 3 decades of auctioneering experience to share outstanding, practical tips for raising more money in charity auctions. Learn how to:

• STOP "doing auctions and events" - and start doing real philanthropy
• Stay close to your donors
• Focus on audience development
• Hold a successful weeknight event
• Procure more event sponsorships and build your sponsor network

...and more! For more information on Kingston's services and resources, visit www.HowToRaiseMoreMoney.com Get your free Special Report: How to You Spell Fundraising Auction Success, plus monthly newsletters, articles and fresh proven ways to increase your fundraising and to engage more donors.

Today's special guest is Renee Jones, benefit auctioneer of National Fundraising Solutions. In a standout session, Jones draws on nearly 3 decades' experience to share tips and best practices for charity auctions. Learn how to:

• How to Improve the Guest Experience
• Optimize the Live Auction Timeline
• Assign Necessary Roles (staffing, volunteers, chair, other VIPs)
• Request Donations

...and more! For more information on Jones' services, visit www.reneejones.com To ask Jones a specific question about your event, email renee[at]reneejones.com

Today's special guest is Kelly Velasquez-Hague, Director of Content Marketing at OneCause (formerly BidPal). In this episode she draws upon her experience as a Development Director to share practical ways charity auction organizers can use data and technology to drive event revenue. Topics include:

• The 'art and science' of benefit auctions
• Leverage data, technology and strategy for greater profits
• Extend fundraising up to 30 days before your event (ex: pre-event bidding)
• How many live/silent auction items to include
• Tips to refresh a repeat event

...and more! For more information or to see OneCause in action, visit www.onecause.com to take a tour or schedule a free fundraising consultation.

Today's special guest is Connor Sweeney, President and CEO at Great Shot Golf. Working with 1,700 golf events a year, Sweeney shares tangible tips for nonprofits to get the most out of golf tournament events (like offering a $1 Million hole-in-one prize). Topics include:

• Typical revenue streams from a fundraising golf tournament
• Contests you can hold (like the $1 Million Hole in One)
• Including auctions at a golf event
• Tips for first-time events to get off the ground

For more information about the services of Great Shot Golf, visit www.greatshotgolf.com

SPECIAL OFFER: Great Shot Golf offers a 110% Price Guarantee, plus a 20% Discount for all of our podcast listeners (just mention 'Events with Benefits' to redeem!)

Today's special guests are Bobby D and Erin Ward, benefit auctioneers based in the New York tri-state area. In this episode, they share the inside scoop on the evolution of fundraising auctions, concrete examples of unique events, plus practical tips to improve your special appeal. Topics include:

• How are fundraising events changing? How can you appeal to younger generations?
• Tips for meaningful, mission-minded decorations and displays
• Improve your Fund-a-Need or special appeal
• Difference between fundraising auctioneers and other types of auctioneers
• Tips to shorten events but still make money

For more on Erin Ward and Bobby D's auctioneering services, visit http://inspireheartsfundraising.com

To learn 3 essential steps to a successful paddle raise event, check out the 3-part video series here: http://howtodoapaddleraise.com