What you do at the beginning of the year will determine how successful your fundraising gala is — not what happens on event night.

In this episode, professional fundraising auctioneer Bobby D. shares how nonprofits can set themselves up for a stronger, less stressful, and more profitable gala by planning with intention months before the room fills up.

If you have ever found yourself scrambling weeks before your event, hoping you will hit your goal, this episode is for you.

In this video, you will learn:

• Why gala success is decided long before event night
• How to set a clear, mission-driven fundraising goal
• How to define the true role of your gala in your annual fundraising strategy
• Why early board and leadership alignment matters
• How to design a donor experience, not just a run of show
• When to bring in expert partners to maximize results

This episode is built from real-world experience at hundreds of fundraising events and is designed for nonprofit executives, development directors, board members, and event planners.

Need help designing a high-performing fundraising gala?

Learn more about working with Call To Auction at
CallToAuction.com

Subscribe for more nonprofit fundraising strategy, paddle raise insights, and event planning best practices.
Share this episode with your board chair, development team, or event committee to get aligned early.

About Bobby D. and Call To Auction

Bobby D. is a professional fundraising auctioneer and founder of Call To Auction, helping nonprofits raise more money through intentional event design, powerful paddle raises, and mission-driven fundraising experiences.

Recommended For

Nonprofit leaders
Development directors
Board members
Event planners
Fundraising committees
School, hospital, and foundation galas

Your gala isn’t just an event — it’s the night that can fund your mission for the entire year.

In this episode of Auction Is Action, professional fundraising auctioneer Bobby D. breaks down the 10 most important things every nonprofit should be thinking about on gala night. These are the moments, decisions, and details that separate average events from transformational fundraising experiences.

Whether you’re a nonprofit executive, development director, board member, or event planner, this checklist will help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize generosity in the room.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What really drives donor generosity in the room
• How the flow of your program impacts giving
• Why your paddle raise matters more than your live auction
• The role storytelling plays in unlocking larger gifts
• How to create momentum that carries through the entire night
• Common gala mistakes that quietly cost nonprofits thousands
• What the best fundraising events consistently get right

If you’re planning a gala, hosting a fundraiser, or looking to increase the impact of your next event, this episode will help you think differently about how to design a night that inspires action.

Subscribe to Auction Is Action for real-world fundraising strategies, event insights, and lessons learned from hundreds of successful nonprofit events.

Learn more about Bobby D. and Call To Auction at calltoauction.com
New episodes weekly.