I recently attended an annual fundraiser in San Francisco for a nationally known nonprofit organization. The tone of the evening was set at check-in and the mission was clear from the get-go. There was one agenda and it was straightforward... raise money.

The atmosphere was comfortable, warm and friendly... you felt welcome. It was a social event, but with no pretense. The venue, a historic landmark, helped set the stage for a beautiful and heartfelt evening. A gathering of friends and family all coming together in support of a cause close to their hearts. All the right ingredients carefully blended to create the perfect fundraiser.

After check-in, guests were escorted to a reception that was set up as a meet and greet for donors, supporters and members from the organization. There was the usual networking, but it was lighthearted and without the heavy sell you normally experience at a convention or conference.

Guests enjoyed an array of sumptous hors d'oeuvres and whet their palettes with a variety of fine California wines. It was during this time that the stage was set for the real party, and the part of "giving" came into play. The script was simple and direct. There was no guessing as to your role... everyone had an opportunity to take the lead if they chose... and the bidding commenced.

During the reception, a select number of silent auction items with a high perceived value were offered. Also added to the mix was a limited number of $50 tickets for a chance to win a half-dozen items worth at least five times the price of the ticket. The key words were "limited" and "select", both of which attributed to the success of this part of the evening's program. Less is more.

After the reception, guests were escorted to the main ballrom for a short 20-minute awards ceremony to recognize the outstanding contributions made by constituents and to highlight the organization's accomplishments. It was during dessert and coffee that the live auction took center stage and the real bidding war began.

Twelve signature packages were placed on the auction block, from dinner parties prepared by celebrity chefs, tickets to concerts performed by Grammy-winning artists and vacations to five-star resorts located around the world... everything within reach and everyone engaged.

To add to the excitement, the auctioneer asked the audience to pledge additional dollars to help fund the cause. It was the perfect opportunity for those who did not win the items they had bid on to still make a donation. Pledges ranged from $250 - $5000 and created a bidding frenzy that generated an additional $100,000+ that was added to the coffers. The evening was truly an experience to remember and proved to be a win-win.

The bottom line: Today, less is more. Be select, offer fewer items with a higher percieved value. Don't waste time and resources begging for a ton of in-kind donations and gift baskets that take up valuable space and force your guests to secretely scribble a bid in hopes they might be a "lucky" winner. Create a fun and interactive atmostphere that will engage people face-to-face and encourage them to step up. Most important... keep it simple.

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