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HelloFund

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

What questions should you ask before signing a fundraising software contract?

Not all contracts are created equal. Some lock you in for multiple years. Some charge overage fees you didn't see coming. Some make it hard to export your donor data when you leave. A few worth asking upfront: What is the total cost including processing fees? Is there a long term commitment?... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

Has anyone switched auction software mid-event-cycle? How did it go?

Switching platforms is never ideal, but sometimes it's necessary. Maybe the pricing got out of hand or support disappeared when you needed it most. The timing is tricky. Too close to the event and you're retraining volunteers and re-entering items under pressure. Has your organization made a... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

How do you get more parents to participate in your school auction?

Participation is everything. A silent auction with 40% of attendees bidding outperforms one with 80% attendance and low engagement every time. A few things that move the needle: mobile bidding so guests don't have to find a bid sheet, early item previews sent via email, and a live leaderboard... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

What fundraising tools work best for Catholic school galas?

Catholic school galas have a unique energy. Strong community ties, parent volunteers, and a mission that donors genuinely care about. The right tools should support that, not get in the way. Silent auction software, fund a need moments, and peer to peer giving pages can all work together when... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

What's the biggest mistake schools make when running their first gala?

First time events are exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. A few patterns show up again and again: Underestimating setup time. Skipping a mobile bidding test run. Not promoting the auction in advance so guests arrive ready to bid. Relying on one volunteer who knows how everything... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

How far in advance should you set up your silent auction platform?

Waiting until two weeks before the event is one of the most common mistakes. Item entry alone takes longer than most people expect. Add in guest communication, mobile bidding setup, and sponsor recognition and you're looking at a real project. Most experienced event chairs start 6 to 8 weeks... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

How do you calculate the true cost of fundraising software?

The subscription price is just the starting point. Here's what people often forget to factor in: Percentage of bids collected by the platform. Payment processing fees. Setup or onboarding costs. Staff time spent learning a new tool. The cost of poor support on event night. When you add it all... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

Is it worth paying a percentage of bids to your auction software?

Most fundraising software platforms charge a percentage of every dollar raised. On the surface it sounds small. But run the math on a $100K event and you're handing over $2,000 to $5,000 that was meant for your school or cause. Flat fee alternatives exist. The question is whether the features... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

CEO and Founder @ HelloFund, Inc. | Helping Nonprofits Raise $46M+ with High-Touch Fundraising Technology

What features matter most in silent auction software for galas?

Running a gala is already a lot. The software you choose can either make it smooth or add chaos at the worst possible moment. A few things worth evaluating before you commit: Pricing model. Some platforms take a percentage of every bid. On a $100K event, that's real money leaving your cause.... Read more

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Phil S.
PS

Phil S.

Founder and CEO

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