You should never announce a fundraising goal at the beginning of your Paddle Raiser. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, because challenging your audience to stretch seems like

If you really want your paddle raiser (aka fund-a-need) to succeed, then you need to give your guests the opportunity to achieve “status” during the paddle raiser.

  Have you noticed that parents and grandparents sometimes have a voracious appetite for the things their kids or grandkids are doing, but the children give one-word answers when

We know intuitively that if the guests at your gala feel empathy for the people or animals your nonprofit serves, then they are more likely to donate money to your cause.

You never want your live auction to turn into a beg-a-thon, where your auctioneer is on the stage begging futilely for people to bid. It is shockingly easy for this to happen, and

If you’ve landed a “Matching Gift” for your paddle raiser (aka fund-a-need), give yourself a huge pat on the back!

Years ago, when I first learned what a paddle raiser (aka fund-a-need) was, I didn’t get it.

When we make a request for financial support, it makes us feel weak, needy and annoying. We feel that we’re putting our friends on the spot..

The first thing we’ll tell about this topic is this -- WE ARE BIASED!