Consortiums and Buy-ins Consortium and buy-in lots have been increasing in recent years. I had just assumed that this was a good trend. A group can presumably afford to out-bid an individual! This should lead to the event raising more money. Recently, though, I worked an auction where there were a large number of both […]

In the previous blog on fund-a-need I described how I first encountered the process in Seattle and then how we brought it south to California. In this blog we will discuss how to optimize your fund-a-need. Begin with the basic definition: A fund-a-need is where the auctioneer asks for a cash donation from the audience. […]

Fund-A-Need, Raise the Paddle, Cash Call, Adopt a Family are all names for the same process of simply asking the attendees for cash during a fund-raising auction. Recently one of our clients credited us here at Reynolds & Buckley with inventing this process.  I wish I could take the credit!  Rather I absconded with the […]

As auctioneers we tend to focus on sound, as we know that bad sound can make it impossible for the audience to participate however much they support the cause. On the other hand bad lighting can make it really difficult for those of us on stage.  The importance of lighting was highlighted recently at the […]

The 2009 Spring Season, which we arbitrarily assign from February to the beginning of June was bookended by two events that were visibly and dramatically down.  With those two glaring exceptions, most events with which we are familiar equalled or surpassed previous years. The two events that tanked were the Naples Wine Auction and Auction […]

Like everywhere else, Sonoma charities are feeling the double pinch of an increase in demand at exactly the same time sources of funding are drying up.  Sonoma is being particularly hard hit because there are several major fundraising events that have taken a break in 2009.  Most of the cancellation or postponements were implemented before […]

After viewing one of the “Kitchen Sink Dramas” that ruled in the West End after WWII, Noel Coward was asked what he thought of an actor’s performance that was famed for it’s spontaneity and improvisation.  “The only improvisation I like”, Coward replied, “comes with three weeks of rehearsal.” I was reminded of this recently.  I […]

Five simple questions to ask when interviewing a potential auctioneer. How many charity auctions do you do a year? How many years have you been doing this? What is the range of auctions you do in financial terms, the size of the crowd and the types of organizations with which you work? What is your […]

I write while changing planes in Vegas on route back from Indianapolis.  We were there for Elegant Vintages, an auction benefiting the Indianapolis Zoo.  The event was a great success, and it appears that the auction at least matched last years, and may well have even exceeded the previous total. Once again you have to […]

We just returned from Park City and the National Ability Center Auction.  I have not yet heard the final numbers, but I suspect that they may be ahead of last year.  As always it was a wonderful event, but there is no doubt in my mind that their focus on message explains their success. The […]