Summer vs. Fall Fundraising: Why You Should Host Your Auction Now

Fundraising is a crucial part of any non-profit organization, school, or community group. It’s the lifeblood that keeps these entities running and able to serve their communities.

You might think that the summer slump is inevitable. After all, most nonprofits bring in 47% of their online revenue in the last week of December. More than half of nonprofits start their end-of-year appeals in October. 

So if your summer fundraising suffers are you’re planning these important fall campaigns, that’s understandable, but the truth is that you should be taking advantage of summer fundraising opportunities.

In this article, we’ll delve into why you should host a fundraising auction today, the benefits of online auctions, and considerations for choosing between a summer and fall fundraiser.

The Power of Fundraising Auctions

Fundraising auctions have a unique power. They can significantly boost your organization’s fundraising efforts.

Auctions create a sense of urgency and competition. This can drive up donation amounts.

Offering unique experiences or items can make your fundraising auction stand out. It can attract more participants and increase the overall funds raised.

Fundraising auctions can be themed to align with seasonal events or holidays. This can increase engagement and make the event more enjoyable for participants.

Clear communication about the cause and use of funds is crucial for a successful auction. Engaging storytelling can help connect potential donors with the cause.

Transparency about the auction process and outcomes builds trust with participants. This trust can lead to long-term relationships and future support for your organization.

Advantages of Online Fundraising Auctions

Online fundraising auctions have several advantages. They provide a wider reach, allowing people from different locations to participate.

Online platforms like ours offer various tools to streamline the auction process. These include real-time bidding and payment processing as well as features like popcorn bidding and additional fundraising functions like donation buttons and raffle tickets.

Social media can be effectively used to promote online fundraising auctions. This can increase visibility and attract more participants.

Here are some key benefits of online fundraising auctions:

• Accessibility: Anyone with an internet connection can participate.
• Convenience: Participants can bid from anywhere in the world, including work, vacation spots, and the comfort of their own homes.
• Wider reach: The auction is not limited to local participants. Even if your cause is very local, you can gain supporters from across the country.
• Real-time updates: Bidders can see the current highest bid and time remaining.
• Easy payment processing: Online payments can be processed immediately after the auction.

Online fundraising auctions leverage current technology, making them more accessible and efficient. They are a great option for organizations looking to maximize their fundraising efforts.

Summer vs Fall Fundraising: Why It’s the Perfect Season

Many nonprofits and charitable organizations experience a summer giving slump. This can be because donors are busy taking advantage of summer fun, but it could also be because the organizations themselves are less active.

Many organizations start ramping up their fundraising efforts in the fall and end of the year. While it makes sense to capitalize on the season of generosity, neglecting summer campaigns is a missed opportunity.

Even if your organization has fewer resources at hand as employees take advantage of summer weather and family schedules, you can host a low-effort auction to share out to your donor list and social channels. 

Don’t have auction items to list? Auction off travel packages from our inventory catalog. At no upfront cost to you, these travel packages are usually some of the hottest items in any auction, and can boost your bottom line in the summer months.

Remember to consider your target demographic when planning a summer fundraiser. The timing and theme should resonate with your potential participants. Host family-friendly events because kids are out of school, or piggyback off of community summer festivities. Big or small, your summer auction can make a difference to your revenue.

Take advantage of the season’s busy energy and build an auction today instead of waiting for your bigger fall events to kickoff.

How to Organize a Successful Fundraising Auction

Organizing a successful fundraising auction can be fast and simple. Here are five basic steps to get your auction set up for success quickly.

1. Curate a variety of auction items or experiences that cater to a broad audience. Choose from our inventory catalog to speed things up. Activate the donation feature on your event page so that people can support you even if they can’t bid right now.
2. Use your social media channels, website, and emails to promote your auction. Consider asking other accounts, like local businesses or officials, to share your auction on their pages.
3. Share out a preview of your auction and its relevant details, then follow up when bidding opens. 
4. Update your audience as the auction progresses, including a “Last chance!” message before close.
5. Follow up post auction to express your gratitude to everyone who bid or contributed and to tell them how their contributions will help your mission.

The Time to Act Is Now

Hosting a fundraising auction today can significantly boost your organization’s fundraising efforts. With the power of technology, you can reach a wider audience and streamline the auction process.

Whether you choose a big or small fundraiser, the key is to align the event with your organization’s mission and values. Remember, clear communication about the cause and use of funds is crucial for a successful auction.

A fundraising auction is not just about raising funds. It’s about creating a sense of community, fostering long-term relationships, and making a difference. The time to act is now.