Five Ways to Unlock Six‐Figure Gifts at Your Next Gala

Although some nonprofits struggle with making their events profitable, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Girdwood, AK) netted more than $100,000 from the first event it staged in more than two decades, according to Becky Chambless, development director. “It was pretty incredible, and we really generated a lot of new major donors,” she says. “At least 12 of the 105 guests turned into major donors.” What was the secret to success? Planning long and hard, working with a professional auctioneer and focusing on the nonprofit's mission, according to Chambless and Dan Newman, founder and certified auctioneer at Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisals (Anchorage, AK), whose company played an important role in the event. Sources: Becky Chambless, Development Director, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood, AK. Phone (907) 301-7549. Email: [email protected]. Website: alaskawildlife.org Dan Newman, Founder and Certified Auctioneer, Alaska Premier Auctions and Appraisals, Anchorage, AK. Phone (907) 570-7050. Email: [email protected]. Website: AlaskaPremierAuctions.com