Self paced digital course

Beyond the Bid: A Fundraising Playbook

A comprehensive digital course that helps nonprofit professionals, board members, and volunteers plan and execute fundraising events with clarity, confidence, and intention.

enroll now

What to Expect from the Fundraising Playbook

A structured, end-to-end approach to planning and executing events

Guidance that balances strategy with real-world application

A structured, end-to-end approach to planning and executing events

Tools and frameworks that reduce overwhelm and last-minute scrambling

Practical insight on guest experience, donor behavior, and revenue

Supports both staff-led and volunteer-led event teams

What to Expect from the Fundraising Playbook

A structured, end-to-end approach to planning and executing events

Guidance that balances strategy with real-world application

A structured, end-to-end approach to planning and executing events

Tools and frameworks that reduce overwhelm and last-minute scrambling

Practical insight on guest experience, donor behavior, and revenue

Supports both staff-led and volunteer-led event teams

Course Outline

Event Management Tools and Foundations

Software, ticketing, auction/sales tools, check-in, mobile bidding vs. bid sheets, Wi-Fi/bandwidth, and team readiness.

Fundraising gala event table with flowers on it

The Gala Event Experience

Check-in/out, theme selection, Fundraising Event Chair role, timeline, volunteer recruitment, concierge, table sales.

Person holding up a bid card at a fundraiser

The Live Auction and Run of Show

Selecting live auction items, working with auctioneers/spotters, crowd engagement, paddle raise, building a Run of Show.

Open computer with the screen showing the words "online auction"

The Online Auction and Revenue Strategy

Platform selection, item curation/pricing, bidding structures, promo timelines, sponsor integration, fulfillment.

Auction Items, Revenue Enhancers, and Sponsorships

Inventory planning, consignment, revenue enhancers (games, pulls), sponsorship strategy, stewardship, the ask.

Expanding Your Fundraising Toolbox

Rethinking traditional galas, virtual/hybrid models, diversifying revenue, final reflections, glossary of terms.

Who Is This Course For?

Nonprofit professionals

Board Members

Development directors

Event Planners

Gala committee members

Fundraising "Cat Herders"

Volun'told volunteers

From Your Instructor

" My Insights have been drawn from years attending, supporting, and consulting at hundreds of fundraising events. This course is designed to be practical, not one-size-fits-all. Take what resonates, adapt it to your mission, and leave the rest."

- Kristi Saucerman

Former CEO & Founder of Auction Frogs

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying

"We raised more this year than ever before"

"Taking the Beyond the Bid digital course completely transformed how our team approaches our annual fundraising gala. The curriculum is incredibly practical, and the thought-provoking workbook questions helped us get aligned and strategize on a much deeper level. We raised more this year than ever before, with half the stress. An absolute must-have resource!"

- Sarah J., Nonprofit Development Director

"The strategies are brilliant"

"Planning our fundraising events felt like reinventing the wheel every single time. Beyond the Bid changed everything because it didn't just give us a step-by-step guide; the deep-dive workbook exercises forced us to rethink our entire attendee journey from the moment they walk through the doors. The strategies are brilliant, easy to implement, and incredibly effective. Our revenue exceeded our goals by 40% this year, and our sponsors are already asking about next year. I can't recommend this course highly enough!"

- Elena R., Gala Chair & Board Member

"Saved us countless hours of planning"

"As someone who wears many hats, I needed a clear, actionable roadmap. Beyond the Bid delivered exactly what I needed to cut through the noise and provide a framework for planning an unforgettable event experience. The digital format made it so easy to digest, and the insights we gained have saved us countless hours of planning. Our guests will be blown away!"

- Mark T., Event Coordinator