Looking for free publicity in any shape and form? Here are a few places online you can list your gala charity auction so roaming eyeballs can find it.
Eventful.com
Free to post and the site itself is divided into many categories … fundraisers, performing arts, concerts, and the like.
Users can also sign up for alerts so if you like a particular type of event, they’ll let you know when it’s available.
Vivanista.org
In 2010 San Francisco-based Vivanista added calendar functionality to their community.
It’s an easy calendar to browse, it’s searchable, and the events listed are from all over the USA. You’ll need to register with the site to upload your event.
Idealist.org
This is an international database that lists every event from every nonprofit under the sun. You’ll find information that runs the gamut: from beekeeping classes to walk-a-thons. My hang-up with the site is that it requires me to register before I can see anything. Grrr.
Examiner.com
This newspaper has expanded and can now be found in several cities. If it’s in your area, you can likely list your event online.
The downside is that it’s not an online form you can maintain yourself. You’ll send your submission via email to a generic email address. The address pops up when you click “Add an event.” (See photo.)
Generic email addresses always worry me. Is anyone really at the other end of the email? And how long will it take before they post my event? Hmm.
BizBash.com
This would be the least useful tool for most of you, but it deserves a mention for the professional planners reading this ezine.
First, this calendar is only applicable to those running events in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. Second, non-subscribers seeking to attend an event can only see seven days worth of activities.
That’s right, the calendar only lets users see events scheduled over the next week. The reason being is because the site is geared for organizers planning galas months in advance who are trying to avoid picking a date that clashes with other popular activities.
If you’re trying to pick your gala charity auction date for next year, you’ll pay a hefty fee — $50 for a one day pass — to view the calendar and see who has already set their gala date for months out. The daily fee for this service use to be a few dollars, so the increase was substantial.
A few years ago, one of my clients would pay for the daily service. When the rates increased, she changed her behavior. “Now I just pick up the phone and call the organizations I’m most concerned about,” she said.
If you’re holding a gala in one of those cities, just know the BizBash option is available to you. You can list your gala to ward off other nonprofits who were eyeing the same date.
Now that you’ve got this information, hand it over to your Public Relations volunteer. This is the kind of task she can pop into her “to do” list and take care of before your next committee meeting.
It is good to read about your program.
Thanks.
Thanks for these, Sherry! And don’t forget about DonationMatch, where the “roaming eyeballs” happen to belong to in-kind donors. We’re still trying to grow out of So Cal, and the more events there are listed in a particular area, the better we can promote it to businesses there. 🙂 And listing is still free. Thanks!
I appreciate the reminder, Renee! It’s been awhile since we’ve connected … hope you’re well.
Thanks! Busy, doing well, working hard to help charities get the most out of their events, just like you! 🙂 Keep up the great work!
Excellent. 🙂 Thank you again for the reminder. My goodness, I certainly don’t want to forget to mention the tools offered by the coolest people I’ve met!