Fundraising Event Tips For Checkout Part 1
This blog will provide nonprofit fundraising event tips to help you plan a flawless checkout. After guests are ready to go home, you may think you have finished your event. But, one of the most important parts of your fundraising event is just beginning--checkout. Follow these tips to ensure that your checkout runs as smoothly as possible!
This blog is the first in a 4-part series outlining different ways you can manage checkout at your nonprofit fundraising events to facilitate an efficient and streamlined process for your guests.
Read part 2 in this series.
Checkout at Your Fundraising Event Begins at Check-In
To begin, you need to have a clear check-in process for your nonprofit fundraising event in order to have a smooth check-out.
- Capture guest cell number and email address as they purchase tickets to your event. Streamline this process by allowing them to purchase tickets online, which encourages them to put a credit card on file to use the night of your event. This speeds up check in and checkout. Find out more about online ticket sales here.
- Encourage guests to pre-register before the event to capture contact information and credit cards.
- Open bidding early or preview the auction to capture contact info and credit cards.
- Pre-scan credit cards at check-in.
- Record guest contact information at check-in.
- Do these things even if you don’t have a silent auction.
Tip #1 Eliminate Checkout At Your Nonprofit Fundraising Event
Eliminate checkout altogether! This strategy lessens stress for your staff and volunteers, gives you the opportunity to personally thank bidders when delivering packages, negates the necessity of bringing silent and live packages to the event, and can bring supporters into the office to see your mission directly.
Steps For This Nonprofit Fundraising Event Checkout
The auction closes, all sales are entered in your auction software and reconciled for live auction purchases and donations. Bid sheet silent auction sales are entered and reconciled. If you are using mobile bidding, these silent auction sales are entered automatically, which is super convenient! Find out more about mobile bidding here.
- Guests’ credit cards are charged as a batch and receipts are emailed
- Receipts include instructions for picking up their auction items or
- information on when items will be mailed or delivered
- Use our item Pickup Assistant report to bag and tag items for guests.
- Live auction and fund a need only events can easily be managed with no check out! Mail gift certificates and charge credit cards for donations; then email guest receipts with a note of thanks!
Advantages Of This Nonprofit Fundraising Event Checkout
Takes the stress away from managing checkout at the end of the event when everyone is tired.
- May not need to bring silent and live packages to the event
- Less stress on staff and volunteers
- Opportunity for personal thank you if delivering packages
- Brings supporters into your office to pick up items and see your mission (Would
- you like a tour while you are here?)
This blog is the first in a 4-part series about how to have a flawless fundraising event checkout for your guests.
Read part 2 in this series.
About Murad Auctions
Murad Auctions offers professional auction services for successful nonprofit fundraising events. Since 2000, Murad Auctions has helped hundreds of non-profits achieve their fundraising goals. Murad Auctions relies on years of experience, crowd-pleasing enthusiasm and technology to take benefit auctions to the next level.
If your organization needs ideas or help with your nonprofit fundraising, please reach out to Murad Auctions at 972-238-0249 x 102 or contact us. We will be happy to help make your non-profit fundraiser a success.