If you’re an Executive Director or Development Director of a nonprofit, you know that the never-ending hamster wheel of fundraising is exhausting! You’re constantly under pressure to fundraise every week, every month, every quarter and every year. Often, you’re calling on the same loyal supporters over and over again, which feels uncomfortable. But don’t fret, because you’ve got an amazing weapon in your arsenal -- your annual gala. You’re inviting hundreds of people into a ballroom to learn about your mission, the constituency you serve and the impact you’re having. You’ve got the emotional ingredients for a mass first-date with a bunch of potential donors.At The Gala Team, we believe your single best fundraising opportunity on the night of your event is the Paddle Raiser (aka Fund-a-Need, aka Special Appeal, aka Ask). I know what you’re thinking. “We’ve tried a paddle raiser a few years ago, and it was awful! The auctioneer started at a really high level and no one raised their paddles. Then the auctioneer started badgering people, and it got really awkward. It turned into a beg-a-thon, with the auctioneer literally pleading for someone to make a gift. Our board members and sponsors were appalled at the pressure we were putting on their guests. Finally, we got a few pity donations, but we vowed we would never Ever EVER do that again!!”Trust us. We’ve heard the horror stories. But we’ve got the solution.We’ve developed something we call the S.P.L.A.S.H. Technique. SPLASH is an acronym to describe the steps of a process that will convert your “group” of people into a “team” of people all galvanized around your mission.The effect is immediate. Your fundraising results can be dramatically higher than they are now.The simple truth is that people will donate far more money to your “mission” than they will commit to the purchase of an item. For example, someone who is unwilling to pay $100 for a silent auction item might gladly write you a check for $1,000 to support your mission.The best part is that when your first fundraising kiss with a new donor comes because of your mission (rather than from the purchase of an item), your chances of forming a lasting relationship with that donor are dramatically higher.Interested in learning more? You can visit our website at www.TheGalaTeam.com.When you’re ready to take that next step, just let me know. We’ve got a great team of consultants and auctioneers who are ready to help you have your most successful event ever.