IN THIS ISSUE:
Fundraising StrategiesUsing Online Resources to Increase Fundraising Revenue
Stay competitive in today’s tough market by making an online presence that keeps your constituents reaching for their wallets. With online payment capabilities you’ll maximize your fundraising efforts and give your supporters opportunities for donating that they (and you!) are seeking.
Internet Users Donate More
Integrating the Internet into your fundraising mix is a must, it’s undeniable. According to an April 2006 study by Pew Internet Research, 73% of U.S. adults (about 147 million) are Internet users, up from 66% in a January 2005 survey. Another PEW survey finds that "online givers donate 50% more than donors who do not give online." Auctionpay’s experience mirrors the PEW report, seeing dramatic increases in both the number and amount donated per donor.
Online Payments Equals Ease of Use
Now that you know potential donors are frequenting the web and willing give online, make it easy for them to support you. Provide an informative, secure and viable web site where payment by credit card is easy and hassle-free where your organization, your sponsors and your donors have a pleasant experience. Learn more of the benefits of online giving and how to get things started.
Read the complete article online.
The Aspen Education Foundation
The Aspen Education Foundation (AEF) is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization which is devoted to promoting excellence in public education by raising money for the Aspen School District. AEF first used Auctionpay’s Complete Event Suite at their May Madness event this year, where they raised $259,000 this year.
According to Executive Director Lisa Chiles, their favorite thing about Auctionpay was having the event software keep everything in one consolidated place. "In the past, we had multiple database sources and multiple people keeping the lists. Auctionpay made our lives much easier. Everything was easier - from managing the database to producing bid sheets, tracking all procured items and then helping us produce the catalog, to keeping track of everything on event night. We were very pleased with the results."
In addition to the software, Aspen Education Foundation used the Auctionpay terminals on event night. "We were amazed at how easily Auctionpay helped us greatly reduce the payment collection we had to do in the past after the event. People were great the night of the event with swiping their cards, and everything went smoothly, but for us, it really saved us a lot of follow up time post-event."
Lisa continues her praise of her Auctionpay experience, saying, "Prior to the event, we had an Auctionpay registration page set up, but we didn’t do a great job of pushing people online. "That is one thing we would change for next year. We will do a better job of promoting the online registration and payment ahead of time, so that we don’t have to worry about managing as many mailed-in checks or dealing with on-site payments."
To learn more about the Aspen Education Foundation, please visit www.aspenaef.org.
Beware of the Witching Hour
Frank Bizzarrohas conducted live auctions at gala events for hundreds of nonprofits and schools, helping raise millions of dollars. Frank Bizzarro shares some of what he has learned in his 20 years of experience helping San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits increase their fundraising efforts:
"If your event is an evening gala, the witching hour is 8 p.m. for the live auction to start," says Frank. "That’s why the program needs to be coordinated with dinner." Frank says that many live auction planners mistakenly believe that guests want to eat in a quiet room. Instead, he suggests, the main entrée should signal the start of your first speaker. Whether it’s to give awards, show a short five minute video (no longer!) or showcase a speaker for the cause, the presentation should last no more than 15 minutes before starting the live auction. He explains, "If you start the live auction while your guests are still a bit hungry, people will tend to be more aggressive and bid more. If you wait until dinner is over, the guests become lethargic and start heading for the exits. Always call the bids during dinner."
The other piece of advice that Frank adds is serving dessert after the live auction is over (so long as the auction is less than 30 items). "Develop a very detailed timeline for the evening, then keep to it," he says. "This takes a lot of planning and communication with all of your staff, volunteers, and, of course, your auction company."
In addition to showing up on event night, organized and ready to go with complete team of experts, Bizzarro’s provides pre-event consultation in preparation for your special night. To learn more about Frank and his team at Bizzarro’s Auctions, please go to Bizzarro’s Auctions.
Mastering Auction Challenges
This weekly online seminar covers solutions for the most common auction challenges and pitfalls.
Occurs every Tuesday 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (PST)
Profitable Online Auctions for Nonprofits
Learn how Auctionpay can help you supplement a live event, engage those donors who cannot attend the live event and attract new and potential donors through Online Auctions.
Occurs every Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (PST)
Synchronizing Raiser's Edge and Event Software
Learn how data is shared between donor and event management systems. This seminar is pre-recorded and available at all times.
On-Demand
Event Success With Auctionpay
This presentation shows how Auctionpay solutions work together to improve nonprofit events and benefit auctions.
Occurs every Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (PST)
Auctionpay Online Payments
Auctionpay Introduces Next Generation of Online Payments Product with version 4.0
This new version allows users to easily create customized, secure web pages for constituents to donate money, register and buy tickets for special events, purchase memberships, pay tuition and more. It is hosted on our secure web servers, payments are processed, and the funds are transferred to your bank on a regular basis.
Click here for more information..
Schoolhouse Supplies has been an Auctionpay client for over three years, and says, "The new version of Online Payments looks and works great. We love the idea of being able to make changes to our pages whenever we want, and the feature set is very complete."
Version 4.0 of Auctionpay Online Payments updates include:
- Robust self-service capabilities in a very easy-to-use format
- Dramatically increased personalization of web pages - add links, logos, graphics, calendars and more
- Real-time table and seat inventory management
- Flexible discount codes for promotions, early purchase, etc.
- Automated start and end times for various registrations, promotions or programs
- Integrated with Auctionpay Event Software and Auctionpay Online Auctions
- Improved reports, notifications and donor receipts - available 24/7
- Standard registration, donations, tuition, sponsorships, and membership pages let you get started right away
To Purchase or find out more
Auctionpay Online Payments is part of Auctionpay’s Complete Event Suite of fundraising solutions and integrates all registration and payment data with Auctionpay’s event management software. It is also available as a stand-alone online fundraising and payments solution. Click here for more information.
EVENT CALENDAR:
Nov 1-3, 2006
AFP Northern New England 2006 Annual Conf.
Burlingame, VT
View online calendar of
events for more information.
Online Training
Prior to an event, Auctionpay recommends training staff and volunteers on the Auctionpay terminals to ensure a high comfort level with the equipment and process, thus contributing to the overall success of the event.
Auctionpay provides a variety of training resources with step by step instructions.
See training materials on our web site.
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