Are your fundraising auctions starting to resemble yard sales? While it's tempting to offer individual items at bargain prices, fundraising is about more than getting a "deal." It's an opportunity for donors to contribute to a cause they care about. To enhance your fundraising efforts, consider packaging individual items together to create more lucrative auction lots. In this blog post, we'll explore why this strategy can make your auctions more impactful and how to implement it effectively. The Problem with Individual Items When fundraising auctions feature individual items sold separately ..read more

 AmFund Announces Golden Pear Grant Opportunities Applications Will Be Accepted Beginning Tuesday, June 4th MAITLAND, Fla. (February 27th, 2024) – The American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) announced it will begin accepting applications for its much-anticipated 2024 Golden Pear Grant Program beginning Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. When awarded, these grants will provide unrestricted funds to help support nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. Once the application site opens, organizations can complete and submit a simple form online at www.AmFund.org/giv ..read more

As we enter the new year, we reflect on the invaluable lessons we've learned over two decades of fundraising. Here are 25 insights that have shaped our approach to successful fundraising events:   Optimal Silent Auction Duration: Aim for a 60-90 minute silent auction. Live Auction Item Count: Keep the number of items in a live auction between 5-7. Controlled Access: Keep the doors to the ballroom closed during cocktail hour to maintain an intimate atmosphere. Seating Strategy: Avoid placing chairs around cocktail tables to encourage movement and interaction. Guest-to ..read more

Are you organizing your annual event and want to ensure everything runs smoothly? One of the most crucial steps in event planning is confirming attendance in advance. By sending an attendance confirmation to all ticket holders and sponsors before the event, you can confidently avoid last-minute surprises and make necessary arrangements. In this blog post, we'll explore why this step is essential and how to go about it effectively. Why Confirm Attendance? Confirming attendance in advance is vital for several reasons: Logistics Planning: Knowing the exact number of attendees helps you plan lo ..read more

As the Spring Fundraising Season gets underway, our AmFund team would like to wish all of our nonprofit partners a happy and healthy fundraising season! We are currently in the process of finalizing our support commitments for our Spring 2024 Calendar. AmFund is proud to partner with over 500 organizations annually and has distributed over $54 million to worthy causes through our Fundraising Programs and Grants since its founding in 1999. If you are planning a 2024 golf tournament, gala, run, or luncheon and would like to be considered for support through our Fundraising Travel Program, pleas ..read more

At AmFund, our dedication to assisting nonprofits in their missions is unwavering. While our forte lies in special event fundraising, international travel, and conducting auctions, we always seek innovative ideas to share with our nonprofit partners. Recently, we stumbled upon an idea we believe holds immense potential for organizations: blending corporate holiday parties with charitable endeavors. Embracing the True Spirit of the Holidays Amidst the bustling holiday season, it's easy to lose sight of its essence—giving back to those in need. Enter the concept of a charitable holiday party. M ..read more

Choosing the date for your fundraising event is among the most important decisions you will make during the event planning process. Although you have 365 days to choose from, only 75 are ideal for fundraising events. This blog will consider important factors as you narrow your options to the perfect night. Consider your Competition   Think about this: according to the ,National Center for Charitable Statistics, there are 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the United States. Even though you aren’t competing with everyone across the country, this statistic is valuable to understand. I ..read more

American Fundraising Foundation Gives Special Recognition Donation to the Cure Bowl MAITLAND, Fla. (October 26, 2023) – In a continued recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Fundraising Foundation (AmFund) is proud to announce an unrestricted gift of $5,000 to The Orlando Sports Foundation. The Orlando Sports Foundation has been a long-time partner of AmFund and plays a critically important role in the breast cancer research space. Alan Gooch, Cure Bowl Executive Director and CEO of Orlando Sports Foundation reminds us that partnerships are so important as we “Bring teams t ..read more

In the realm of fundraising, understanding the hierarchy of donor needs is paramount to success. Much like Maslow's hierarchy of needs for individuals, donors have their own set of stages that lead to meaningful contributions. In this blog post, we will delve into the five crucial stages: Awareness, Trust, Connectedness, Ownership, and Promotion. 1. Awareness: Laying the Foundation Just as air and water are fundamental to human life, awareness is the cornerstone of successful fundraising efforts. A potential donor cannot even consider giving if they are unaware of your organization's existenc ..read more

The inaugural Havana Nights Gala in support of the Hispanic Outreach Center in Clearwater was a great success! Last month, two of our team members Nadine and Kalley supported the Trips of a Lifetime Auction. This fun filled event kicked off Hispanic heritage month and AmFund is thrilled to help 12 lucky travelers travel in support of this cause ..read more