Podcast – Episode 7: Top 10 Nonprofit Concerns in Fundraising Answered: You’re Not the Only Ones
In this episode of Auction is Action with U in it!, Bobby D tackles real-world concerns nonprofits raise about paddle raises, phone-based giving, donor sensitivity, and gala strategy. Prompted by a Facebook thread comparing mobile-donation platforms to live paddle raises, Bobby explains why collective, in-room giving consistently outperforms transactional phone giving—and how to respect long-time donors who prefer a lower-profile approach without sacrificing your results.
If you’re a nonprofit leader, development director, or board member, you’ll walk away knowing how to:
Decide between live paddle raises vs. phone-based giving (and when each fits).
Honor VIP/legacy donors while still running a high-performing fundraising program.
Use matching gifts and quiet leadership gifts without public recognition.
Keep donors present in the room to create collective momentum and higher gifts.
Key Takeaways
Phones fragment attention. Asking guests to pull out phones during the appeal pulls them out of the room—engagement and average gift drop.
Paddle raises create collective effervescence. The shared moment boosts generosity beyond “budgeted” giving.
Honor major donors thoughtfully. Consider separate VIP socials (no ask) while keeping your main gala optimized for fundraising.
Use matches without spotlighting. A “friend in the room will match up to $100k” honors donor preference and supercharges giving.
Three wallets to tap: individual philanthropy, corporate philanthropy (CSR), and corporate marketing/sponsorship. Don’t limit yourself to one.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Bobby D: Well, hello there everyone—Bobby D here with the Auction is Action with U in it! podcast, presented by Call to Auction.
I was scrolling Facebook the other day and saw a great question from a fellow nonprofit professional. Paraphrased, it said:
“I’m looking at software so donors can give by phone at our dinner instead of raising paddles for a cash call. I’ve demoed OneCause and GiveSmart, and I’ve got a demo with BetterWorld. Does anyone use these or have other recommendations? BetterWorld is free, but reviews say donors were confused by the optional fees and ended up paying them unintentionally. I like free—but if donors are turned off and don’t return, that’s a problem.”
Here’s my response: Are you looking to raise less money than an actual paddle raise? Do you want to give your guests a reason to check out—literally—of the event you spent so much time crafting?
Are you using a professional fundraising auctioneer/asker? I don’t want to be harsh, but I’ve had this conversation hundreds of times. Yes, it’s easier to collect donations via phone—but your engagement rate and average dollars per gift will tank, and your overall fundraising will suffer.
I’ve spoken with leaders at several of the platforms mentioned. They’ll agree: using paddles and a professional auctioneer-asker are best practices. You’re trying to create a community movement—you can’t do that while everyone is checking notifications and sports scores. That collective effervescence only happens with reactionary generosity, not transactional tech. Create the Golden Goosebump Moment, then make the call to action. Make giving easy—it’s easier to raise a paddle than to navigate a phone.
The original poster replied:
“We’ve done a paddle raise the last two years and raised significantly more, but some long-term donors no longer want to attend. One donor—usually sponsors two tables—said he won’t return because he feels it’s unbiblical. I’m looking for a way to honor long-term donors without giving up the paddle raise. Yes, we have an emcee.”
My take: I get it. I’ve worked with many Christian and Catholic schools and faith-based orgs. Some major donors don’t feel comfortable giving in a public setting. Totally valid.
But when a donor’s discomfort dictates the fundraising tactic, it can limit your ability to:
Identify new donors
Invite current donors to stretch
Engage guests who do want to participate publicly
One solution: Create a separate VIP dinner for those donors—no ask. Let them sponsor, host, and bring their network to an evening where they won’t be asked. Great donor love.
Then keep your main gala designed for impact: raise the most money possible, identify new donors, and allow sponsors and guests who enjoy public generosity to participate fully.
Remember the three wallets at your event:
Corporate marketing (sponsorships/brand partnerships)
Corporate philanthropy (CSR)
Individual philanthropy (paddle raise, auction, outright gifts)
Don’t limit yourself to one wallet just to avoid a moment of public giving.
Also, you can leverage lead gifts without putting anyone on the spot:
Use anonymous matches (e.g., “a friend in the room will match up to $100,000”).
Allow your VIP donor to contribute without raising a paddle or being named.
Their guests might still love participating in the paddle raise and incentive moments.
This is about creating opportunity—for like-minded donors to fund your mission at their inspirational level. Phone-only giving limits those opportunities and reduces the fuel your mission needs.
If a long-time donor—maybe a six- or seven-figure supporter—insists on removing the paddle raise, they’re unintentionally capping the generosity of the room. Budgets are made to be broken; the shared moment can unlock irrational generosity beyond what guests planned to give.
How do we get there? Storytelling. Inspiration. A clear call to action. Activation in the room. And the easiest way to engage: raise the paddle.
When you say, “Pull out your phones,” attention leaves the room: texts from the babysitter, emails from work, sports alerts—poof. You’ve worked so hard to get donors into the mission moment—don’t send them out of it. Keep them present.
You mentioned you have an MC—love that. But that’s different from a professional fundraising expert. An MC can host; a pro fundraiser designs the run-of-show, times the Golden Goosebump Moment, frames the ask, and manages the energy to maximize giving.
Final thought: It’s okay if a beloved donor skips the gala—and it’s okay to create a no-ask VIP event for them. That opens seats for another sponsor to bring 20 people who are excited to give at the main event. Your gala is too important to minimize fundraising. Your mission is too important to minimize fundraising.
Thank you for listening—and for keeping an open mind. I’m Bobby D, CEO of Call to Auction. Let’s make an impact together. Raise more money. Fuel your mission. Drop a boulder in the water and send ripples of change across the world. See you on the next episode of Auction is Action with U in it!
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