The most important element at any fundraising event is your timeline.
Not who’s in the seats. Not how pretty the decorations are. Not how great the food is going to be.
It’s the timeline.
If you’re planning an event right now, here’s what I want you to do: decide what time you want the night to end… and then work backwards. That’s it. That’s the whole game.
And I’m going to say something that makes people push back every single time I say it:
All fundraising at the event should be over by 9 o’clock.
Nine o’clock is people’s wall.
I can already hear it:
“Scott, you’re crazy. They were still dancing at 11!”
Yes. They were dancing. They were up. They were moving. The blood was flowing.
That’s completely different from sitting in a chair while you’re still asking them for money.
Once people are in those seats, the clock is ticking. You need to be done by 9. Over. Finished. That’s the hint of the year right there.
I don’t care if you want to stay late. Once I’m in motion it doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the people in the seats — your philanthropists. Give them what they want.
Because here’s the truth most people miss:
People decide the night of the event, on the drive home, whether they’re coming back next year.
That’s when the decision gets made. They’re either saying,
“That was a good night… and you know who else we should bring? Charly and his wife need to be there next year.”
Or they’re saying nothing at all.
When you respect their time and end strong, you don’t just raise money that night. You start building the next one.
Work the timeline. End by 9. Give them a night worth talking about on the way home.
Ready to Raise More at Your Next Event?
If your school, nonprofit, hospital foundation, or charity is planning a fundraising auction and you want an auctioneer who still gets goosebumps every time the bidding starts, I would be honored to help.
Scott Robertson, CAI, BAS Founder & Chief Auctioneer
Champion Fundraising Auctions
Serving Nonprofits Nationwide
📞 (239) 246-2139
🌐 www.championauctioneer.com
Let’s make your next auction the one people never forget.
Watch me tell this story from this clip from our very 1st “Serving with Purpose” Podcast!
