September 15, 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of The Impact Brief, a monthly publication from C2Auctions with practical ideas, useful insights, and real-world inspiration to help you build stronger fundraising events.
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Last month, we introduced the C2Auctions’ Fund-a-Need (or paddle raise) growth strategy we call the “Three P’s.” This month, we’re starting with the first: Pre-Solicit.
Tip of the Month
The First “P”: Pre-Solicit
The most profitable paddle raises may appear spontaneous on event night, but in reality, much of their success is built before the event begins.
Don’t limit your pre-solicitations to just a few major gifts. Start with your highest giving levels and work your way down, making the outreach personal along the way. A call or text from the right person can be much more effective than another event email.
The more guests who have considered, or even committed to, their Fund-a-Need gift before they arrive, the more momentum you can create in the room.
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Event Spotlight: The Team Behind the Events
At the end of August, the C2Auctions team gathered at the home of Co-Founder and Chief Events Officer Cathileen Albo for an evening with no guestlists, auction items, or run-of-show. Instead, there was barbecue, signature margaritas, great conversation, and plenty of laughter – all enjoyed over a beautiful summer evening.
Our team spends much of the year focused on making others’ events successful. This time, the gathering was ours, and it was a great reminder that some of the best and most memorable moments are unscripted.
We are grateful to every one of our more than 30 team members, each of whom brings a generous spirit of service to each client event they support. Thank you!
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Check Us Out
Interested in a C2Auctions Workshop?
Our small-group workshops give nonprofit and independent school fundraising professionals a practical, hands-on opportunity to strengthen their event strategy, maximize revenue, and better align their time and effort with impact – reducing stress and overwhelm along the way.
We’ll be scheduling our fall workshops soon. Complete our brief inquiry form to join the list and be among the first to know when new dates are announced.
Complete the Workshop Inquiry Form!
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Impact Exchange – Free Virtual Q&A
Our August Impact Exchange once again brought together a variety of fundraising event professionals for a lively and provocative conversation. Our Strategy Spotlight focused on the idea of organizations giving themselves permission to change by questioning longstanding event practices and being willing to rethink, simplify, or let go of traditions that may no longer be serving their events well.
Join us for our next session on September 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Bring your questions, bring your challenges, and join the conversation.
RSVP here.
Questions or topic suggestions? Email Livia@c2auctions.net.
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C2 News
Introducing the C2Auctions Impact Lab
Strong fundraising events don’t happen by accident. They come from asking better questions, challenging what’s become routine, and focusing time and effort where they can make the greatest difference.
That’s the thinking behind the C2Auctions Impact Lab, your comprehensive source for practical strategy, fresh ideas, real-world insights, and candid conversation. It’s designed to help fundraising professionals like you step back, gain perspective, make more intentional decisions, and generate more support for your organization.
Through our Impact Brief newsletter, Impact Exchange virtual Q&A, blog posts, small-group workshops, and more, the Impact Lab helps you think bigger about what your events can do.
Drawing on decades of experience across thousands of fundraising events, we identify the patterns, challenges, and strategies that matter most and turn them into practical ideas that can be put to work right now.
And because the best insights come from the people doing the work, the Impact Lab intends to create space for you to hear from each other, share what’s working, and learn from experiences beyond a single event or organization.
It’s live! Click this link to explore the Impact Lab – we think you’ll want to spend some time here.
Let us know what you think and what else you might want to see.
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Thank you for reading The Impact Brief. We hope you’ll join us next month for practical ideas, inspiring stories, and useful strategies to help create stronger fundraising events and greater mission impact.
Until next time,
The C2Auctions Team
Helping you raise more, stress less, and align effort with impact.
c2auctions.net
