Well, at the Vivanista Fundraising Summit we tested this theory.  We asked a professional auctioneer, Steve Godfryd of Pacific Auction Company, to auction off a cupcake (courtesy of summit sponsor, Sprinkles Cupcakes).  Then, we sought a brave volunteer from the audience, after Steve gave every one a few lessons in auctioneering, to come up and try their hand at doing the same.

Watch this video to see how it all turned out!

Our format will include two professional auctioneers – Steve Godfryd of Pacific Auctions and Jonathan Holiday, as well as one brave soul from the audience.  Each auctioneer will try to persuade the audience that their cupcake is the most enticing and the auctioneer who garners the most money ‘wins’.  It’s surely going to be fun and quite possibly a bit silly.  But the point I’m trying to make is that different auctioneers have different styles.  Moreover, novice auctioneers who cost nothing are rarely a good investment.

I was guilty of the belief when I chaired a big fundraiser several years ago that the expensive auctioneer ($4,000 fee) we were considering hiring would be a waste of money.  We could surely find someone who was engaging yet free, thinking that savings would go straight to our bottom line profit.  Even though we didn’t have side-by-side auctions to prove me right or wrong, I became a believer that professional auctioneers can return substantially more dollars to a nonprofit.  This is especially true if your live auction packages are valued collectively at more than $100,000 and you have more than 10 of those items.

Here are a few of my reasons and, trust me, I’m not trying to plug any particular auctioneer! 

- Flow: how you place each auction item in the line-up is actually really important.  You want to kick the Live Auction off with a really jazzy package to get the bidding going and create excitement in the room.  At one event I attended an ernest celebrity was the auctioneer and the first lot he tried to sell was a bridal package.  Well, if you weren’t planning a wedding, or even contemplating such, you surely were not going to bid, right?  It would be pretty embarrassing if you were there with your boyfriend and you went for it (although it’d make a super cool marriage proposal)!  Anyway, I felt sorry for the auctioneer so I ‘bought it’ with the anticipation my stepping in would save the flow from total implosion and that the organization would ultimately never make me actually pay for it.  Thankfully, I was right…although I do have friends who were there questioning whether I had some secret marriage plan up my sleeve.

- Bidding Wars: Getting multiple individuals bidding against each other is what all event chairs (and real estate agents ;-) hope for.  Pros will taunt the various groups, too.  Can you imagine saying to someone if you were up on stage “Are you sure you want to lose this fabulous package for a few measly hundred dollars?”  A pro’s style is so important.

- Pace: A professional has better control over the timing – when to keep it at a fast cadence and when to slow it down to a crawl.  They play to the emotions of the room.

So, when you are looking for places to cut in your fundraising event, I might suggest you actually consider spending well-spent money on an experienced, referenced auctioneer.

——————————–

[Photo is of professional auctioneer, Jonathan Holiday, at the GO Campaign fundraising event; their next fundraiser - the GO GO Gala takes place November 10th, 2011.]

A

Advocacy- The work of an attorney or legal advocate. Can be used casually, as well, to mean pleading or arguing a case. For instance, “The little girl’s advocacy for Christmas every day fell on deaf ears.”

Auction- A method by which one can sell or buy items through the act of bidding. The item is then awarded to the highest bidder. The bidding is monitored by an auctioneer, who, as is often mocked and imitated, talks really, really fast while calling out each bid, and then hammers a gavel when participants cease to bid. There can be certain rules to auctioning, such as requiring a maximum or minimum price for an item, or having the identities of the bidders remain anonymous to their subsequent “competition.” For fundraisers, auctions will most likely be used to raise money for a cause, such as a nonprofit charity, in which case the item or service that is being sold is donated and the money spent on it is given to the particular organization, not the owner.

B

Benefactor- Good deeds in the shape of a dollar sign. An individual who assists a person, group or organization known as a beneficiary (or receiver). While the Latin roots of the word mean “making good,” the most common modern usage implies “assistance through an endowment,” in this case, some financial don.

Benefit- A performance of sort (e.g. concert, play) to raise money for some cause or charity.

Best Practices- The results from gathering and analyzing field-tested data and implementing programs based on what has worked most successfully.

Black Tie- Formal clothing for a fundraising event, such as a gala. Men wear tuxes (penguin tails and all) while women are required to be as uncomfortable as humanly possible, though corsets and smelling salts are no longer necessary. While usually floor length gowns are the most appropriate for galas, edgy fashionistas such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna have been known to show up in shorter, cocktail length dresses, paving the way for perhaps a more casual definition of black tie. Heels are not optional.

Board of Trustees- Individuals who are elected for a term(s) to collectively govern a nonprofit. The Trustees act as ambassadors for the nonprofit and usually have an annual financial obligation to the nonprofit as well as the expectation that they will donate to any capital campaign.

C

Capital Campaign – Implemented to drive donations for a particular project rather than normal on-going operating expenses.  An example would be for a nonprofit focused on the homeless to embark on a campaign to raise money to build a housing shelter.

Cause- What a charity, nonprofit or volunteer focuses on. A cause can be anything from natural disaster relief to disease prevention to getting Mom and Dad to buy you a new car.

Cause marketing- Marketing that pairs businesses with nonprofits in order to benefit both parties.

Charitable event- A party, gala, fundraiser, or other type of bash that has the primary focus of raising money for a cause. The secondary focus is, of course, eating mini-cupcakes and rubbing elbows with Bono.

Crowdsourcing - The act of engaging and securing on-line donations from a large group of people.   Also referred to as crowd funding.

D

Donor- An individual who donates or voluntarily gives something to a donee (recipient of a donation) as an altruistic act, usually without receiving something in return…except maybe an always-sought-after tax deduction.

E

Empow[H]er- Though originally the word “empower” had a more technical definition, meaning to officially invest power in someone (usually through legal terms), the word has expanded to include a more motivational definition, often associated with charitable works and feminism. At Vivanista, we work to empow[H]er women by presenting them with opportunities they might not otherwise have, therefore not only investing power in them, but allowing them to invest it within themselves.

Event Chair- The person in charge of an event. The head honcho. The big cheese.

Executive Director- Often in a nonprofit organization, this is the person who runs the organization, similar to a CEO in a for-profit. The Executive Director reports to the Board.

F

Flash mob- A group of people who appear from out of nowhere to do a pre-planned surprise performance. This can be a dance, a musical number, or a complex juggling routine. The possibilities are endless, but each one in sure to confuse passersby.

Fundraiser- An event or campaign that raises money for some type of cause, be it a non-profit or charity. While auctions may be the most traditional way to raise money at events like galas, recently, online fundraising has become more popular, a more modern twist on direct mail fundraising.

Fundraising- The act of raising money, often for a nonprofit. Usually involves hosting a fundraiser. Can range from setting up a traditional lemonade stand to raising money via text messaging.

G

Gala- A formal event or celebration. Usually requires black tie attire.  

Giving- Bestowing something upon someone else.

Giving circle- A group of charitably-minded individuals who band together to collectively donate to a selected non-profit organization(s). These groups can reap the rewards of voluntarism and collaboration without the time and effort of committee-produced fundraising events.

Grassroots fundraising- A method of fundraising (typically used by or for political candidates). Money is raised via inexpensive means, including word of mouth and social media. 

M

Mobile giving- When one donates via their cell phone, usually by texting a short, relevant word to a certain number. This is typically a pre-determined amount—usually small, like $5 or $10. Mobile giving is a key method of grassroots fundraising.

N

Nonprofit Board of Advisors- Individuals selected for their particular expertise which can benefit the nonprofit. Their commitment is usually to share that expertise in a variety of ways including one-on-one strategic input, outreach to their own network and advocacy on behalf of the nonprofit.

P

Parties for a Purpose - A social gathering that has a philanthropic component. Easy-to-implement fundraisers that generate charitable donations for a common cause. It’s a great way to raise money and have fun while doing it. They are designed to be fun ways to introduce friends and family to your charity and generate small donations from participants.

Philanthropy- The act of donating time and/or money to a cause.

Philanthroteen- A teen or young adult who works actively to support a cause or charity. Occasionally sharing with siblings does not qualify one to be a philanthroteen.

S

Social good- Using social media, e.g. Twitter and Facebook, for charitable purposes.

Social fundraising - The act of fundraising through social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.  An example is Causes for Facebook where you can list a cause and Facebook friends can donate to your cause.

Social media- Websites specifically designed to instigate and support social interaction, e.g. Facebook, Twitter and Reddit.

Sustainer- A member of an organized volunteer group who has fulfilled her obligations in terms of time, donations and committee assignments. Committed to the organization, she wants to continue to be involved but without the constraints of donating a minimum amount of time, donations or committee obligations.

T

Twitter- A social media site. Users share their thoughts in concise 144-character snippets (known as “tweets”). Though Twitter can be useful, it’s usually just all of your friends reporting what they ate for breakfast and how Mondays are a bummer.

V

Voluntarism- Relying on volunteers or voluntary action to get something done.

Volunteer- An individual who offers her time voluntarily without receiving compensation. Will often cause said volunteer to feel warm and fuzzy afterwards.

Volunteer organization- A formalized group that can either be its own 501(C)3 or, oftentimes, is an unpaid fundraising arm of a nonprofit. Usually with its own set of bylaws and requirements, the volunteer organization cultivates prospective members who become provisional members for some period of time (usually a year) and then are ‘Active’ members.  After fulfilling their obligations, active members can become Sustainers (see Sustainers above).  Most performing arts companies have at least one volunteer organization.

Y

Young Professional Organization- A community of young, successful professionals, through which they network and interact.

Young professionals- Sometimes referred to as “yuppies.” Young professionals are recent university graduates who have jumped onto business scene and want to give back to the community. These tech-savvy do-gooders may not be able to make top dollar donations yet, but they bring creativity, energy and a crowd of friends to the party.

Numbers

501(C)3- A not-for-profit organization as designated by the IRS. Also referred to as a “nonprofit,” an “NGO” (non-government organization) or a “Charity.”

Tell us about your upcoming Bachelor/ette auction. What makes the event unique?

The event will also include a “Win a Date with a WGIRL” where the highest bidder gets to choose a WGIRL of their choice to take out on a date. We also offer an hour open bar and great raffle/silent auction packages.

The event is organized by WGirls. Who is WGirls and how do they give back to the community?

WGIRLS NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded by a small group of young professional women from New York City and incorporated in 2007. The WGIRLS organization is dedicated to serving underprivileged women and children and, in times of crises, people in need around the world. By partnering with other nonprofit organizations working to achieve similar goals, WGIRLS is able to provide those less fortunate with the support and resources necessary to achieve health, happiness, and the ability to build and lead successful adult lives. Since its inception, the WGIRLS has grown to a large organization with chapters in 15 cities, and has donated over $500,000 to support dozens of local charitable organizations in New York and across the country. For more information on WGIRLS and our ongoing efforts please visit www.wgirls.org.

How many years has the event been in existence? What makes the event a success each year, and how has it been changed this year to keep it fresh?

This is our 5th auction, and every year we have an amazing crowd, big bidders and great sponsors/donors. Last year our highest bid was $1,000. The event was so amazing that we asked comedian Bones Rodriquez and DJ Chachi to return this year and they are both determined to help us raise even more money.

This year we threw a meet and greet with the bachelor/ettes so they could all meet each other and potential bidders could meet them as well. It was a great night and I hope we spiked some interest in potential bidders. The bachelor/ettes did an amazing job mingling with the guests. We will also be featuring the date package for each bachelor/ette in the program this year so each bidder will know exactly where they are going.

Who will be some of the Bachelors/Bachelorettes auctioned off?

We have great bachelor/ettes this year, including Phil who is Mr. September in the 2012 Nation’s Bravest (fireman) Calendar, Scott who founded Party with Purpose, Marianne a private Pilates instructor and Erica a teacher so she knows how helpful our donation to Donorschoose.org will be. You can check out all our bachelor/ettes at http://wgirls.org/new-york/bachelor-bachelorettes.

Proceeds of the evening will support Donors Choose. Can you tell us a bit about their goals and why they were chosen as the beneficiary?

 DonorsChoose.org was created in 2000 so individuals could connect directly with classrooms in need. DonorsChoose.org engages the public in public schools by giving people a simple, accountable and personal way to address educational inequality. They envision a nation where children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education.

How many participants are you expecting? Will there be any surprise guests?

We are expecting over 700 guests at the event and to be at full capacity at the Highline Ballroom. You will have to see if there will be any surprise guests. After all, it’s not a surprise if everyone knows.

Is this an open event? If so, how much are tickets, and what percentage of proceeds will go to Donorschoose/WGirls?

Tickets are available at www.wgirlsnyc5thauction.charityhappenings.org and a single ticket is $40. Attendees also have the option to purchase four tickets for $140, table for $450 which includes 6 tickets, access to the upstairs bar and VIP entrance and host committee for $800 which includes 20 tickets, VIP entrance, access to the upstairs and the group’s name in the program. The majority of proceeds go to Donorschoose.org and 10 percent of proceeds go to WGIRLS NYC.

Who are some of your event sponsors?

We have three types of sponsors: liquor sponsors for an hour open bar (Satisfaction Vodka, OneHope Wine, and Anheuser Busch), date sponsors, and raffle/silent auction donors. We have some amazing date packages planned, for instance, sailing on the Hudson, dinner at amazing restaurants, wine tastings, hip hop tours, cupcake making classes and plays. Our dates are going to have an amazing time.

What has been one of the biggest challenges in planning the event so far?

Getting the donations and sponsors we need in order to make the event as successful as it is.

What external resources have you used in your fundraising/outreach efforts?

We have posted the site on numerous websites and blogs, we are using Charityhappenings.org as our ticketing page, and we are utilizing Facebook and Twitter as much as possible. We are currently announcing a bachelor and bachelorette every day on Facebook so our followers will get to see the great people they can bid on at the auction.

What characteristics do you think make an event chair successful?

Patience, determination and optimism. All three are necessary when you are trying to find sponsors and donors for any event. It is also needed when you are encouraging the other members who are hitting the same walls when they are calling places for donations.

What is WGIRL’s fundraising motto?

The WGIRLS motto is Looking Forward…Giving Back

For more information about WGIRLS- visit them at http://wgirls.org/new-york-city

1. One-on-one access to a celebrity.

Every community has celebrities of many stripes. And you would be surprised who knows someone who knows someone, if you just ask. You can work this in many directions: tea with a local newscaster, batting practice with a baseball star, a day on the slopes with an Olympic ski racer. Vivanista member Shannon Cronan of San Francisco suggested a brainy package that included attending a lecture followed by a private lunch with the speaker. This item is limited only by your willingness to seek out the well known.

2. A premium parking spot.

If you’re fundraising for a school or for another organization where parking is at a premium, you might be surprised how popular this could be. Auction a prime spot for a full year (or the term of your choice), complete with a personalized parking sign. Member Debbie Bocci tells us that she attended a fundraiser where a parking spot “right up front next to [the] principal” went for about $20,000!

3. A walk-on part in an entertainment production.

Ballet, opera, theatre, film…there are multiple opportunities in every community for someone to have a small, walk-on, nonspeaking (or even speaking) part. Especially if you are doing fundraising for the arts, this could be a great auction draw. You could arrange it to be a part for a child as well, if your fundraiser targets kids’ programs.

4. Destination travel package.

These can be truly once-in-a-lifetime trips with all the bells and whistles of travel covered, and a great activity planned for the destination. Shannon Cronan shared with us a package that included front row seats to the Christian Lacroix haute couture show in Paris, hotel accommodations, and cocktail reception. Another travel package included a Saks fashion show in the Dominican Republic, with guest accommodations at Oscar de la Renta’s private home.

5. Gourmet dinner party with a famous chef.

These foodie packages always prove to be very popular, and of course the more renowned the chef, the more frenzied the competition to win it can be. You can tantalize your bidders with a menu ahead of time, or promise them that the chef will prepare the dinner of their heart’s content, all depending of course on the willingness of the food artist.

6. Naming rights.

Opportunities for this auction item can be wide-ranging, depending on your fundraising focus and your access to something that needs a name. New baby tiger at the zoo? New offramp to the freeway? A street in your town near your organization? A school mascot? Would you believe urinals and toilets? The chance to give something a name is long-lasting, fun, creative, and could spur some serious bidding wars.

7. A state-of-the-art musical instrument, signed, with lessons from the pro.

Symphonies come to mind, naturally, but other organizations could benefit from an auction item that pairs a coveted, high-quality musical instrument (this could be anything from a piccolo to a piano) with a master class from a professional, well-known musician.

8. An active getaway weekend…for the guys.

In many configurations and combinations, this item can generate a lot of interest from the men and their significant others. Think about perhaps a golf weekend with massages, fine hotel, gourmet dinner, scotch tasting, and cigars. Member Sarah Holliman noted a men’s group bike trip to Napa that also included massages, great food, and a challenging 100-mile ride.

9. A day-in-the-life work experience at a top-tier firm.

A shadowing experience, complete with lunch in the boardroom, could be great fun and an eye-opening experience for someone who has never been in the fast lane. To be a serious auction draw, the person you choose should be at the top or very near the top of the company and allow your winning bidder to really get behind the scenes and meet the movers and shakers there.

10. The ride of your life.

Is there a Porsche, vintage Mustang, or Harley that doesn’t inspire looks of longing and desire? A vehicle, if it’s a special, beautiful, or well-loved classic, can go for a bundle and be a great draw for your high bidders. If you know someone who has one of these in their garage, and it’s just not getting the workout it deserves, you could likely talk them into a generous donation that will bring attendees to your event and incite some healthy competitive paddle raising for your cause.

[Photo from Flickr by Pedros Imoes]

Auctions are one of the most popular fundraisers utilized by nonprofits, but the planning and implementation process can still be a bit overwhelming. That’s where companies like BW Unlimited come in. Vivanista recently got the chance to speak with the founder, George Wooden, about his company and their approach to the auction scene.

George Wooden

What is BW Unlimited, and what is unique about your offerings/services?

We are North America’s premier fundraising event planning and management firm also offering charities a long line of “no risk/no cost” auction items. We assist charities all over the U.S. with the expert planning and management of their fundraising events. From exclusive black tie galas to relaxed “beef on the spit and beer” settings, we host highly successful, highly profitable fundraising events.

What is a No Risk Auction Items?

If a charity picks one or several of our items, we ship them directly to the charity for their event. If the item sells (with a starting bid above the consignment cost), the charity keeps the profit. For instance, three weeks ago, we sold an authentic Bruce Springsteen guitar in Manhattan for $55,000. The charity only had to reimburse us for the consignment cost of $800; they kept the remaining $54,200! If by chance, the item or items do not sell, the charity only needs to pack them back up in the box they came in and BW Unlimited pays to have the items returned. The charity has nothing to lose…no risk, no cost…ONLY PROFIT!

Our full line of No Risk Auction Items includes worldwide  all-inclusive travel packages, concert tours and sporting events, authentic autographed guitars from rock, country and contemporary music artists, autographed memorabilia of well over 5,000 sports items and a long list of authentic autographed CD’s and record albums which are custom framed and matted for display.

How and when was the organization inspired and created?

I started BW Unlimited 15 years ago as a means to assist charities locally in Maryland. BW Unlimited first began assisting volunteer driven organizations with the planning and management of their events, and quickly was noticed nationwide by CEOs of major charity organizations.

After working with charities for many years and studying fundraising trends, I identified what charity fundraising event attendees enjoyed purchasing. After working with various providers, I partnered with the nation’s top providers of autographed memorabilia at the signing company level. BW Unlimited truly believes in Client First and paying it forward to charity. In order to assist charities all over North America, BW Unlimited began to offer charities all of our items at absolutely no risk and at the lowest possible prices at the signing company prices, mostly five times below the retail cost. At this cost, all of the items sell at retail level or higher, further assisting the charity in their fundraising efforts.

What is the overall goal of your company? How do you hope to impact change?

BW Unlimited’s ultimate goal is to provide charities all over North America incredible items to raise their fundraising efforts to an all-time high. Through many years of experience, BW Unlimited has seen many scams and other efforts to take advantage of the great work of charities. BW Unlimited allows charities one place to fulfill all their needs at the lowest prices.

BW Unlimited sincerely hopes to impact charities all over North America by making their fundraising efforts less stressful, while exceeding their financial goals. The introduction of our no-risk auction items offers charities the ability to profit without the extra cost or stress. Additionally, we provide quality customer service, and actively assist with the planning and management of the event to ensure the best possible outcome. We take pride in our events and ensure that our clients are totally satisfied and exceed the goals of the organization.

Who are some of the nonprofit organizations that utilize your auction packages?

BW Unlimited assists a wide array of charities all over North America, serving a broad range of charities from veterans organizations to conservation organizations, medical need to therapeutic riding programs. Our client list includes the Global Autism Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Make A Wish Foundation, Hunters Helping Soldiers, Kids Hunting for a Cure, and many more.

What has been BW Unlimited’s biggest accomplishment to date?

Our largest accomplishment was to partner with memorabilia signing companies in order to offer charities the lowest prices for our No Risk Auction Items. By partnering with such agencies it allows BW Unlimited to offer charities quality items at no extra cost.

How does BW Unlimited acquire such an extensive lot of auction items?

We have both partnered, and now own the charity rights to both sports and celebrity signing companies. We also have partnered with both jewelry and gift basket providers in order to deliver the best merchandise at the lowest possible prices.

What are your top selling auction items?

All of our items excite the crowd and all sell. These item categories were identified through years of studying fundraising trends. However, our authentic autographed guitars, authentic autographed sports and celebrity memorabilia, and our wide array of worldwide travel packages are our top sellers.

Holding live/silent auctions is one of the most effective ways to fundraise for nonprofits. What are some alternative fundraising methods that you support, and why?

We absolutely utilize various fundraising platforms, which we specialize in live and silent auctions as well as raffles. We work with an extensive list of charity fundraising event raffles which are both fun and successful. What most organizations don’t understand is the importance of using many different fundraising platforms which appeal to everyone. Fundraising venues have to allow everyone to partake in order to totally maximize the event. That is exactly what BW Unlimited is known for the total fundraising event.

What external resources do you use in your fundraising and outreach efforts?

We are big fans of Vivanista. We have a Fan Page on Facebook as well as profiles on LinkedIn. Our website is www.BWUnlimited.com

Vivanista would like to give a huge thanks to BWUnlimited for donating this beautiful guitar signed by Taylor Swift to The Fundraising Summit on Nov 10-12 in San Francisco, CA.  Click here for event details.

Electric Guitar signed by Taylor Swift

[All Photos provided by BW Unlimited]

Auctions

Fundraising Auction Secrets
by Michael Ivankovich
This great go-to handbook covers it all: what sells and what doesn’t, item acquisition, live and silent auction tips, plus tons of guidelines, checklists, and templates to create the best auction for your organization’s needs and goals.

Auction Fundraising Simplified
by Judy L. Anderson
Author Anderson wants you to take your auction ‘outside the box,’ and provides tips, organizational tools, and processes to make your auction fit your donors, sponsors, and attendees_all while meeting your fundraising needs.

The Big Book of Benefit Auctions
by Jay R. Fiske and Corinne A. Fiske
This is a great basic handbook of tools and how-tos from planning to execution. The tips provided are also explained, so along the way you’ll learn not only how to create a great auction, but why it’s best to do things a certain way.

Nonprofit Boards

Meeting, and Exceeding Expectations: A Guide to Successful Nonprofit Board Meetings, Second Edition
by Outi Flynn
You have to have board meetings, but they don’t have to feel unproductive or frustrating. This guide reminds you that your volunteer board needs to feel inspired, that it’s important to have both a proactive and problem-solving mindset, and shows you how to keep things on track and moving forward during those all-important meetings.

The AAA Way to Fundraising Success: Maximum Involvement, Maximum Results
by Kay Sprinkel Grace
This guide provides a direct path to engaging all board members in fundraising leadership. Author and consultant Grace has shared this concept with nonprofit boards worldwide who have used her ideas to set the table for a truly invested board and ongoing success in fundraising.

The Truth About What Nonprofit Boards Want: The Nine Little Things That Matter Most
by June J. Bradham
This no-holds-barred book of stories from board members will give you the real truth about how to attract and keep the board of directors you want. Taken from interviews with seasoned board volunteers, the stories reveal what motivates board members to join (and stay), raise money, and act on their passion for the mission of your organization.

Grants and Fundraising Documents

33 Funder-Friendly Elements No Grant Proposal should be without!
by Kim Rogers
Don’t you wish you could just get inside a funders head? This book comes close with strategies and tricks for making your ideas look like the best choice, for staying on the funders radar, for creating the best grant document, and much more.

Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals
by Beverly A. Browning
Highly and immediately usable for grant writers, this is a great guidebook of words and phrases appropriate and powerful for a variety of grant proposal components. Learn insider grant writing tips and see how they work in a variety of provided example excerpts.

Grant Writing DeMYSTiFied
by Mary Ann Payne
This is a book of fundamentals particularly useful for the inexperienced grant writer. From start to finish learn about all the documents, data, language, and psychology that goes into creating a successful proposal.

Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact
by Dalya F. Massachi
Drawing from many years of experience writing professionally for community organizations, the author provides guidance in crafting a variety of effective written communications. This workbook-style reference includes advice on big picture messaging as well as the little things that polish your documents and make them stand out.

Social Media and Fundraising

The Future of Nonprofits: Innovate and Thrive in the Digital Age
by David J. Neff and Randal C. Moss
A great resource that outlines best practices in using social media and more to guide your charitable organization into the future. The speed and innovation of 21st century are good for fundraising, and with this book in hand you will be on your way to developing internal entrepreneurs who will grow revenue and keep your mission moving.

The Social Media Survival Guide for Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations
by Sherrie Madia
Survival means understanding the rewards, risks, strategies, and steps to using a variety of social media tools for networking, engaging donors and volunteers, and getting your message out. Learn which tools to use, and more importantly, the best ways to use them.

The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change
by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine
The authors are acknowledged experts in using social media for charitable organizations. Years of experience, trial, and error are captured in this valuable guidebook for making the best kinds of connections for your cause. You will learn not only ways to use social media, but also ways to check for success along the way.

Cause Marketing

Cause Marketing for Dummies
by Joe Waters and Joanna MacDonald
Learn cause marketing fundamentals including how to find and align with the right partners, develop a strategic campaign, and leverage new media to raise money and awareness for your charitable organization. Included are tips on using tech tools and case studies on successful cause marketing campaigns.

Designing for the Greater Good: The Best in Cause-Related Marketing and Nonprofit Design
by Peleg Top and Jonathan Cleveland
Branding and design are illustrated in this unique book targeted to cause marketing. Included are case studies and examples that show you what designers do to make cause marketing campaigns stand out. Taken from interviews with designers for a variety of charitable causes, this guide is a great creative reference for events, marketing materials, packaging, and more.

The Business of Cause Marketing
by Chris Rosica
This comprehensive handbook, culled from the authors extensive experience in marketing and public relations, covers cause marketing top to bottom with topics such as selecting appropriate partnerships, marketing the cause, online presence, avoiding negativity, media engagement, and much more.

Donors and Fundraising

Ask without Fear
by Marc Pitman
Taking the mystery, and therefore the fear, out of the ask, author Pittman guides fundraisers of all stripes through the processes and practices of getting successful results from your fundraising efforts. If your goal is to make your fundraising more dynamic, learn what to avoid, how to develop right relationships, and how to get to yes.

Guerrilla Marketing for Nonprofits
by Jay Conrad Levinson, Frank Adkins, and Chris Forbes
Real, usable ideas for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes make up this guide to promotion, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and social media. The authors show you that even if you have no experience and a small budget, these use-right-now strategies can put you on the track to fruitful and fun fundraising.

Asking: A 59-minute Guide to Everything Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff Must Know to Secure the Gift
by Jerold Panas
We all have to ask, but hardly any of us likes it. With this guide in hand, handle objections and move forward to getting the answer you need from your donors. Author Panas includes simple, motivational advice and tips along with some great appendices of lists and examples that show you how to ask.

Have you read any nonprofit books this summer? Let us know what we’ve missed, comment below!

Vivanista recently spoke with Coppy Holzman, CEO and Co-Founder of charitybuzz, who gave us the inside scoop on what this new fundraising strategy can do for you. Charitybuzz, the world’s first charity auction website which launched in April 2004, takes the idea of eBay to a whole new level. As an online auction website, the company uses technology and pop culture to raise funds for philanthropic organizations.

“We are like an unusual concierge service, but everything goes to charity,”

- described Coppy Holzman, CEO and Co-founder of charitybuzz.

They currently are fundraising partners for over 1,000 nonprofits, have an international community of 60,000 bidders with top markets in New York City and London, and have raised more than $50 million for nonprofits worldwide.

By challenging the traditional live auction format, Holzman explained that online auctions “blow the gates wide open.” By jumping into the cyber world, auctions are able to reach millions of potential bidders, rather than being confined by the number of attendees at a black-tie social event.

In addition, an online venue is able to target passionate fans of particular celebrities, luxury brands and experiences, who don’t necessarily have access to these options. “In LA, auctioning off a walk-on role for a film may be no big deal because so many people in LA are familiar and have access to that, but for people abroad, they can now have access to that, in places where they can’t get it,” described Holzman.

Online auctions also heighten the awareness for a cause by expanding the universe of people that see the charity, and by bringing in new financial supporters. This kind of venue also has the ability to put a positive spin on the many important, yet depressing and overwhelming causes out there. “We don’t show the sad parts of the story,” like of kids in crumbling buildings after the Haiti disaster, said Holzman. Rather, charitybuzz tries to accomplish the same social impact, by taking a nonprofit’s message and conveying it in positive manner.

Charitybuzz specifically provides the added benefit of taking a load off of a nonprofit’s plate. “We’re like your own development office that does all the work,” said Holzman. Charitybuzz manages all the details, such as post-event auction redemptions, so that nonprofits, especially those with limited manpower, can focus on their life-saving work. “We make it simple,” summed Holzman.

Holzman also emphasized their “white glove service” to their customers. Charitybuzz keeps bidders in the loop at all stages of an auction with emails and phone calls, and provides readily available communication to winners to facilitate the post-auction process.

“It may sound trite, but if you’re nice to everyone [whether they purchased a $500 or $100,000 experience] and exceed their expectations, they’re going to come back and spread the word,”

said Holzman.

So what merchandise works and what doesn’t?

“The biggest pop culture celebrities and access to them is what generates the most money,” said Holzman. Charitybuzz has organized experiences, such as a tennis lesson with Andre Agassi (which sold for about $100,000) to a day on the set with Cameron Diaz (where Ashton Kutcher made a guest appearance). “We unabashedly embrace pop culture,” said Holzman. Regarding products, early release vehicles and watches tend to do well. But charitybuzz is not restricted to high-end prices. They’ve auctioned off internships and unique dining opportunities with famous chefs, which sell at lower prices and encourage philanthropy at all price points.

In terms of logistics, nonprofits can put up anything from one item to ten lots, like the RFK Center. CharityBuzz then takes on the primary role of promoting the auction and encouraging people to bid. By leveraging media opportunities on TV and in the papers, utilizing social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook, and widgets, charitybuzz generates lots of PR and exposure for the auctions. Moreover, charitybuzz benefits from celebrities’ and luxury brands’ own personal publicity of auction items. However, the company maintains its focus on adding a “personal touch,” such as sending targeted emails to bidders about items that may be of interest to them based on their past bidding records.

Charitybuzz’s growth has doubled over the past few years, but Holzman emphasized that working with charitybuzz is like a collaborative partnership. “We’re very humble. We try to do whatever we can to show the nonprofit in the best light,” said Holzman. They don’t charge their clients for anything up front, but they deduct a fee of 20 percent and remit the balance to the nonprofits within five business days. While the fee may sound steep, “We’ve never had a nonprofit relationship where they would’ve raised more money had they done the auction lot in the conventional way,” said Holzman. “We’re really in this to establish long-term meaningful relationships,” he said, which is evident by their 94 percent retention rate.

As NYC Program Director, Kavita Mehra and the rest of the GG team like to say, “happy hour just got more fashionable.”

What makes this years event unique?

This year, our 7th annual Glamour in the City will feature at 2 hour sponsored bar, with specialty cocktails created by the Teaologist, and desserts from Gigi Cupcakes. We will also have amazing raffle items, including five NOOKs, luxurious gift baskets valued at $350+ or more, and a life time subscription to 4 Hearst magazines. Guests who purchase raffle tickets will also receive a complimentary gift bag, filled with goodies.

Proceeds of the Evening will support GlamourGals. How do they contribute to the community?

GlamourGals Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and organizing teens to provide ongoing companionship and complimentary makeovers to elderly women living in senior homes. We use makeup – something familiar to teens – as a tool to establish connections and build relationships with senior women. During makeovers, two generations of women have conversations, share stories and laugh together. Makeovers help the senior women look and feel beautiful and, more importantly, know they are treasured and respected in their communities. Now in our 11th year, GlamourGals Foundation works with 40 Chapters in 15 States, Washington D.C. and Scotland, with 800 teen volunteers, reaching 2,000 elderly women each year.

How many participants are you expecting? Will there be any surprise guests?

We are expecting nearly 350 participants and we definitely expect a few surprise special guests!

Is this an open event? If so, how much are tickets, and what percentage of proceeds will go to Glamour Gals?

This event is open to anyone interested in supporting GlamourGals’ mission. Registration is only $39 from now until May 23rd, after which tickets will be $59 for registration. 100% of the proceeds from this event go to the GlamourGals Foundation. Guests can register for Glamour in the City directly on GlamourGals’ website.  All registrations will be matched by our Executive Board Member Andrew Tisch.

Who are your event sponsors? How will they add value to the event?

Sponsors play an important role in making Glamour in the City a fun, enjoyable event that continuously draws young professionals’ attendance each year. Our sponsors are: The Teaologist – creating one of a kind specialty cocktails, and Gigi Cupcakes – providing delectable desserts.

Will there be a live auction/raffle? If so, what prizes can attendees expect?

Glamour in the City will have both a live online auction and raffles at the event. The online auction will be powered through CharityBuzz.com from May 17th to June 15th , which will feature exclusive items like a private lunch at Kittichai in Manhattan with former NY Knicks Coach & NBA Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas, a private style session with the Glam Fairy, Alexa, 2 tickets to the 2012 PGA Masters or two tickets to the opening night of Jump for Joy, with a meet and greet with the cast after. Supporters can look for these items by searching for “GlamourGals” on Charitybuzz.com.

The raffle at Glamour in the City includes the opportunity to win a NOOK, gift baskets valued at $350 or more, or a lifetime subscription to a Hearst Magazine. Plus, any guest who purchases raffle tickets will automatically get a gift bag filled with goodies from our sponsors.

Will there be any surprises?

You’ll have to come to the event and find out!

What has been one of the biggest challenges in planning the event so far?

Each year, Glamour in the City raises the bar to be better than the last. As a team, we are continuously coming up with creative ways to make this event exciting and entertaining for our supporters.

What external resources have you used in your fundraising/outreach efforts

Glamour in the City has a host network that is committed to helping drive tickets sales for this event. Each host is featured on GlamourGals’ blog. The host that brings in the most registrants wins a $200 gift certificate to Butterfield 8. Hosts use social media sites like Facebook and twitter to promote their blog and have created a Facebook invitation to help drive registration for the event. In addition to our Host Committee organization, GlamourGals markets the event via our website, social networking pages and email lists.

What characteristics do you think make an event chair successful?

The most important component of creating a successful event is the team. We have a great leadership team and Host Committee for Glamour in the City, and as the chair, I am inspired by their dedication and hard work on this event. A successful event chair is someone who values this teamwork, encourages others to share their opinions and allows the team members to take ownership of their projects. Leading an event of this size also requires patience, strong organizational skills and the ability to inspire others about GlamourGals’ mission.

What is your fundraising motto?

With patience and persistence, you can get almost anything accomplished.

How can we get involved?

• Are you a teen or a college student who is a GG alumni?  Start a chapter! High school students click here.  GG Alumni click here.
• Are you a college student looking for an incredible summer experience? Become a GG Correspondent!
• Make a donation: We continue to grow and serve more women and girls because of your generosity!  Please donate today.
• Would you like to make an ongoing donation each month from your Credit card? Check out our MegaMakeovers!
• Are you on facebook and twitter? Join us!  Facebook:   facebook.com/glamourgals now! Twitter: @glamourgals and @glamourgaljulia

Local celebrities  and CFH supporters  gathered for a friendly dance competition followed by a silent auction. By the end of the evening,  the fundraiser raised  just over $300,000 for the organization, which  aims to break the cycle of homelessness, and bring together disparate groups so that each can discover the worth, dignity, and potential of the other.

Dancing contestants included: Dr. Bilal Ansari, Gregory Crawford, Kathy Friend, Taya Groover , Chris Grossnickle , and Bruce Keysner, and Dr. Madeline Lewis, to name a few. After weeks of hard work and rallying friends and family  for support, Dr. Bilal Ansari took home first prize!  See his performance below.

See more photos from the event below.