Podcast – Episode 4: Saturdays Are the Worst Night for Fundraising
In this episode of Auction is Action with U in it!, Bobby D breaks down why Saturdays are the worst night for fundraising events. From donor attendance challenges to increased competition with other galas, Bobby reveals why nonprofits should rethink their event timing.
If you’re a nonprofit leader, development director, or board member, you’ll walk away knowing how to:
Avoid the pitfalls of Saturday night galas
Choose alternative days that attract more donors
Leverage weekday and brunch events for higher engagement and giving.
Key Takeaways
Saturdays are overbooked. Donors already have family commitments, other galas, and social obligations.
Weekdays win. Mondays through Thursdays allow donors to attend after work, often with colleagues and friends.
Fridays are just as crowded as Saturdays. Skip them.
Sunday brunch events are trending. Mimosas, community, and giving make for a winning format.
Focus on the right guests, not more guests. Engagement and per-donor giving matter more than headcount.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Bobby D:
Hello there everyone. Bobby D here with the Auction is Action with U in it! podcast, and today we’re going to talk about why you have to stop having your events on Saturday. That’s right—stop it. Knock it off. There are no more Saturdays left.
I was just going through my calendar for the rest of the year. Here we are in July and August—pretty open. But September? Fully booked on Saturdays. October? Fully booked. November? Fully booked. December, though—that’s wide open. If you’ve got an event in December and you need an awesome auctioneer, let me know.
But that proves the point: you have to stop having your events on Saturdays. There’s too much competition—competition for attention, competition for your donors’ time. And it’s not just galas competing against you. Donors have family time, kids’ sports, date nights, and a dozen other reasons not to show up to your event on a Saturday.
Yes, there’s a gala happening every Saturday night in every city. Probably 10, 15, 20, 25… maybe even more. Especially here in New York City. And venues know the value of a Saturday night. Nonprofits know it too—they get better nonprofit rates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Not Saturdays.
So here’s the shift:
Thursdays are the new Fridays.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays—also great choices.
Fridays and Saturdays? Forget them.
By choosing weekday evenings, you’ll save money on venues, catering, photographers, and even your auctioneer. And you’ll make it easier for donors to attend.
Think about your donors: weekends are family time. The right people—the top 1% who drive your fundraising—may skip Saturday events because of those conflicts. But on weekdays, they’re already in the city, already dressed for work, and can easily stop by with colleagues or friends.
We’ve also been seeing a new trend: Sunday brunch fundraisers. People love brunch—mimosas, bellinis, and fundraising. It’s fresh, fun, and works around donor schedules.
Attendance might be going down overall, but per-donor giving and engagement are going up. That’s what matters. Fewer guests, higher impact.
So, stop having events on Saturdays. Stop having events on Fridays. Explore Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and yes—Sunday brunch.
This has been a quick conversation here on the Auction is Action with U in it! podcast. I’m Bobby D with Call to Auction, and I’ll see you on the next episode. Together, we’ll raise more money, make a big impact, and inspire generosity.
Ready to Raise More?
At Call to Auction, Ready to Raise More? We specialize in turning galas and fundraising events into mission-driven, revenue-generating experiences. From paddle raises to live auctions, our team knows how to excite donors, engage audiences, and inspire generosity in the moment.
👉 Book a Free Consultation
👉 Get Our Gala Planning Starter Kit