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Travel packages continue to be a top draw at many fundraising events. High-value travel packages bring huge attention and can create a highly-competitive bidding environment – generating more money than many other auction items. But high-value travel packages don’t attract everyone. So the bottom line is that the best fundraising travel packages are those that match up a particular travel package with the right audience.
Since every nonprofit has its own donor base with different interests, different price points that donors are willing and able to spend, and different travel preferences, the key is to match up the right travel package with the right audience.
Some of your best insights are already available.
The organization already has knowledge about their donors, whether they have been gathered through various events or from the information provided by donors when they make a contribution. Analyzing past events and noting the types of people that attended, their interests, and their giving levels will help to determine the ideal travel package for the auctions and raffles that the organization holds.
For example:
Major donors will be drawn to luxury experiences and once in a lifetime opportunities.
Travel to domestic locations such as cruises or resorts will generally be of more interest to mid-level donors as they are typically looking for a short trip of 4 nights or less.
Families may value school-break travel options.
Retirees often have greater flexibility for longer vacations.
Knowing your supporters better helps choosing better travel packages for which your supporters would truly like to bid.
An incredible destination isn't always enough.
As an event committee, think about timing, not just location. People can dream of going anywhere but if they can’t fit it into their already busy lives, then the package will likely get little to no bids.
When picking travel packages to sell at auction, look at when your donors have time to go on vacation. So instead of choosing all 3-day/4-night packages (for example) or all long international trips, mix up the length of stays and destinations to fit different schedules. People’s lives are busy, and the package must fit into their plans.
Packages that fit within donors’ lives will receive more interest than those that don’t.
Remember each fundraising event has its own price point that will realize the greatest fundraising potential.
Look at your previous auctions and see what the highest prices were for. If the highest price for an item at your fundraising event was $2,500 then introducing a $10,000 vacation package may get gasps of amazement but not much competitive bidding.
Similarly, if you are selling high-end travel packages, you would waste fundraising potential by only listing lower-priced packages that your supporters could afford.
Travel packages that fit within supporters’ comfort levels will generally get more buzz and lead to more bidders participating in the auction to win them.
A balanced auction between very affordable packages and higher-end ones can attract more bidders.
Consider including:
Popular beach destinations
Weekend city escapes
National park adventures
European cultural experiences
Safari or once-in-a-lifetime vacations
Some supporters may be interested in a great “getaway” for themselves or their loved ones and others are looking for that bucket-list type of trip they have always dreamed about.
Offering a mix creates excitement across your auction.
Convenience matters.
Travel packages that are easy to understand and simple to redeem typically do better than others that have restrictions.
Supporters appreciate:
Straightforward booking processes
Flexible travel dates
Clearly outlined inclusions
Minimal blackout dates
Easy-to-understand redemption instructions
In giving bidders greater certainty about the package they have purchased, you increase their confidence in participating in your fundraising auction.
The tone of your event should determine the type of travel package that you are going to be offering at your fundraiser.
An elegant gala is the ideal occasion to auction for luxury holidays or other once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
For example, if you’re holding a community fundraiser instead, then weekend getaways of all kinds, especially those that are very accessible, or even better yet, family getaways, would be the perfect fit.
Choosing travel experiences that mirror the fundraiser’s tone helps to link the auction packages to the fundraiser, making for a more cohesive and effective fundraising event.
People don't bid on hotel nights.
People don’t buy hotel nights but the feeling that they will get from those nights.
Travel packages are not just about hotel nights and activities, they can be about the experience that they bring.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean
Exploring charming historic streets
Enjoying local cuisine in a new destination
Relaxing beside a mountain lake
Discovering a city they've always wanted to visit
Create an emotional connection and people will pay a premium for the experience of a trip rather than for the itinerary of a trip.
Each fundraiser provides valuable insights for future auctions.
After your event, review:
Which travel packages attracted the most bids?
Which generated the most conversation?
Which sold quickly?
Which received less interest?
These patterns will help you refine your choice of travel for future events, in order to continue to improve your fundraising performance.
Returning supporters enjoy seeing new experiences each year but need not be new experiences every year.
Mix up the destination, length of travel or featured element to maintain interest while maintaining consistency from year to year.
Small updates can keep your events interesting year after year.
The most successful travel packages for fundraising are ones that are deemed attainable, exciting and relevant for your supporters.
Travel packages that are desirable, convenient, and reasonably priced will inspire competitive bidding and create wonderful memories for the highest bidder.
At Mitch-Stuart, we can help your non-profit find the perfect travel package to support your fundraising goals and provide value to your supporters.
