Expertly guiding your paddle raise from concept to completion.
Ready to run a paddle raise or fund-a-need, but unsure where to start?
I’ll serve as your polished presenter, advocating on your behalf to inspire guests to become donors, even without a live auction.
Maybe it’s your first attempt at running a special appeal, and you’re unclear on the nuances. You’ve seen this run elsewhere, but how does it avoid becoming awkward, especially if you don’t have pre-committed gifts?
How do you track the donations?
What if you want to push monthly giving subscriptions instead of one-time gifts?
How does it all … work?
These are valid questions. Addressing these and understanding lesser-known subtleties is what allows my clients to create highly charged giving environments.
Running a public pledge, which is also known as a paddle raise, special appeal, fund-a-need, mission moment, and a dozen other names, is an activity that requires exceptional presentation skills AND solid operational systems.
Each year I am retained by some schools and nonprofits for the sole purpose of running this activity.
- They have no live auction.
- They have no silent auction.
- They simply want a flawless fund-a-need.
Though my style and remarks vary by event, below are videos showing the types of remarks I might give before asking guests to give.
Why work with me?
- As a third party, I can more comfortably encourage donations than your executive director, board member, or volunteer.
- I sound like a local. By using the language you use, many will mistake me as your employee. Guests will ask, “When did she join your staff?”
- I save you time because I write and present my own speeches. It’s one more task I take off your plate.
- My remarks vary in length, depending on the event. Casual cocktail events require a different style than formal sit-down dinner galas. I adapt.
- Sometimes I partner with a client speaker or video, but often the nonprofit finds it easiest to just have me work independently on stage. In the rush of preparing for your event, you’ll appreciate my professionalism.
- We spend consulting time prior to the event setting up the operational elements of this activity so your staff is comfortable collecting money in the crowd and behind the scenes.
- Knowledge counts. It’s uncommon for an auctioneer to be the hired gun to run a stand-alone fund-a-need, but not for me. I’ve run these so often, I recorded a training on how to do a fund-a need properly, and — as far back as 2009 — started educating readers via blogs.
Do you have an event that needs a bottom-line boost? A fund-a-need could be your answer.
Schedule an appointment to talk with me about your plans.
What Clients Say
Sherry in black dress photo © David Welch Photography
Sherry wearing scarf photo © Athena Delene / Delene & Co; Murphy bid paddles photo © SW / Delene & Co