August 5, 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of The Impact Brief — a monthly publication from C2Auctions with practical ideas, timely insights, and real-world inspiration to help you build stronger, smarter fundraising events.
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Tip of the Month
Give Your Fund-a-Need the Love It Deserves
For many clients, the best opportunity to increase event revenue doesn’t require more guests, more auction items, or a bigger ballroom. It starts with giving your Fund-a-Need (also known as a paddle raise or cash appeal) the attention it deserves.
Your Fund-a-Need is the most cost-effective, efficient, and least limited fundraising opportunity of the evening. While the most successful paddle raises may look spontaneous, they are actually the result of significant pre-event investments of time and effort on the part of the organizational team.
If your planning doesn’t reflect that reality, it may be time to shift your focus. By bringing intentionality to your Fund-a-Need strategy, you’ll put your organization in a much stronger position to maximize revenue.
Over the next three issues of The Impact Brief, we’ll share our “Three P’s” for creating a stronger, more successful Fund-a-Need.
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Event Spotlight
Walking Mountains A Taste Of Nature Gala
Congratulations to Walking Mountains on another wonderful A Taste of Nature Gala, one of the Vail Valley’s signature summer fundraising events. Each year, A Taste of Nature raises vital funds for programs that teach people of all ages about our natural world through immersive science-based experiences, groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, captivating programs, and engaging events.
This year’s event became an unforgettable example of resilience when a widespread power outage left much of the region – including the event site – without electricity. Thanks to the remarkable leadership, preparation, and creativity of the Walking Mountains team (and a little help from a generator), the evening under the stars carried on beautifully.
Sometimes the true measure of an event isn’t what goes according to plan, but how people come together when it doesn’t. C2Auctions was proud to support this inspiring event. Congratulations to everyone who made it such a memorable success!
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Resource Corner
Recommended Reading:
From Planning to Proceeds: Raise More, Stress Less includes an entire chapter on creating a successful Fund-a-Need, from strategy and messaging to execution on event night. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking to strengthen this important fundraising moment.
Order your copy here.
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Check Us Out
Interested in a C2Auctions Workshop?
Our small-group workshops help fundraising professionals at nonprofits and independent schools strengthen 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 sessions very soon, so please 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!
Impact Exchange
Our inaugural Impact Exchange Virtual Q&A brought together 16 fundraising professionals for a Strategy Spotlight on silent auction bid dilution, followed by a candid conversation on a range of fundraising event challenges and a celebration of recent successes. Participants included nonprofit event staff, event producers, auctioneers, and other industry professionals, creating a rare behind-the-curtain exchange of ideas and perspectives.
The Impact Exchange is designed to be an open, welcoming space where fundraising event professionals can ask questions, share challenges, and have honest conversations with peers who understand the work.
Join us again on August 26, 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.
Hey, Nonprofits! Podcast – “Why Your Check-In Line is Costing You Donors”
We joined HGA’s Trevor Nelson to discuss why gala check-in is an essential part of your fundraising strategy, and how the right staffing, guestlist management, and technology can create a smoother guest experience and stronger fundraising results.
Watch the episode here.
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C2 News
Summer Office Closure
Every August, the C2Auctions team takes a two-week summer break to rest and recharge. This year, our offices will be closed from August 10 through August 21. We will respond to emails and inquiries as soon as we return.
We wish you a wonderful rest of the summer and look forward to supporting your fundraising events this fall!
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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 actionable 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
