From the field
Fundraising tips for people who'd rather be doing anything else
Practical guides for PTOs, schools, churches, and community organizations. No jargon, no fluff, just what works.
Will Online Bidding Work in a School Gym With Bad Wi-Fi?
Mobile bidding does not need great Wi-Fi, but it does need a plan. How to test your venue, what to ask school IT, and what your software should do when a phone drops.
How to Set Starting Bids and Bid Increments for a Silent Auction
Opening bids that get the first bid, increments that keep bidding moving, and when a buy-now price helps or hurts.
How Many Items Should a School Silent Auction Have?
More items rarely means more money. A rule of thumb for sizing your catalog to your crowd, and what to do with the donations that do not fit.
Switching Auction Platforms Without Losing Your Donor List
Changing tools between events is less work than most committees expect. Here is the order to do it in so nothing important gets left behind.
How to Find a Silent Auction Platform That Does Not Take a Percentage
Percentage fees are easy to miss and hard to budget for. Here is how to spot them in the fine print and what to use instead.
OneCause and BidPal Alternatives for Small Schools and Nonprofits
Enterprise fundraising software is built for galas with staff behind them. If your event is run by volunteers, you may be buying the wrong category of tool.
Looking for a 32auctions Alternative? Here Is What to Compare
If you have outgrown your current auction tool or want to stop paying a percentage, these are the five things that actually differ between platforms.
What Silent Auction Software Actually Costs: A Worksheet for Your Committee
The sticker price is rarely the real price. Here is how to compare total cost across auction platforms before your committee commits.
6 Questions to Ask Before You Pick Silent Auction Software
Not all auction platforms are built for small nonprofits. Here's the framework we'd use to evaluate any tool - including ours.
The PTO Newsletter That Actually Gets Read
Most school emails get skimmed and deleted. Here's what changes when you write shorter, more specific emails that parents actually open.
Silent Auction Night Checklist: Everything to Do Before You Open Bidding
A practical checklist for the hours before your auction goes live - from item setup to volunteer stations to the close process.
Why We Don't Touch Your Payments - and Why That's Better for You
Integrated payment processing sounds convenient. Here's why it adds fees, creates complexity, and often isn't worth it for small fundraisers.
Church Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work in 2026
Practical fundraising strategies for congregations and faith communities - from silent auctions to donation campaigns and volunteer events.
How to Fill Your Event Shifts Without the Group Text Chaos
Coordinating 20 volunteers over a parent group thread is a disaster. Here's a better way to manage signups, time slots, and supply requests.
How to Ask Local Businesses for Silent Auction Donations (With a Template)
A straightforward guide to writing a donation request letter, what to offer in return, and how to follow up without being annoying.
No App to Download: Why Bidders Actually Show Up to Online Auctions
Requiring an app download kills participation before the auction starts. Here's the friction math - and what phone-browser bidding changes.
Why Your PTO Shouldn't Pay a Percentage to Run a Silent Auction
Most auction platforms take 3–8% of every dollar raised. Here's why flat-fee pricing keeps more money in your school's hands.
How to Run Your First School Silent Auction: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical walkthrough for parent volunteers: from soliciting donations to closing the auction and collecting payment.
5 Fundraising Ideas for Small Nonprofits in 2026
Practical fundraising strategies for PTOs, churches, and community organizations - from silent auctions to volunteer-powered events.