People give to stories, not statistics.
The biggest moments of the night came when the room understood exactly whose life would change.
The Auction Divas
The Auction Divas has a new home.
You're in the right place. Same Shelly St John, the auctioneer behind The Auction Divas, now building the brand, donor and sponsor strategy behind the event. Here's what twenty years on stage taught, and what changed.
$148 million Raised
Hundreds Of fundraising events
Since 1992 Building brands
The auctioneer years
Twenty years on stage, and what it taught me.
I founded The Auction Divas® in 2006, fourteen years into running Primary Objective as a marketing firm. For the next twenty years I led galas, golf tournaments and benefit events across the country as a fundraising auctioneer, at thousands of events and as part of $148 million raised across my fundraising work.
The proudest part of those years was raising the standard for how charity auctioneers work: from a hired gun for an evening to a strategic fundraising partner, using marketing, humor and storytelling to drive results. That partnership is what you get today, in your brand, your sponsors and your donor experience, and on stage when the fit is right.
Booking an auctioneer
Still taking the stage, for the right partners.
The Auction Divas hasn't closed its doors. These days I take the stage only for organizations I believe in, and that believe in me the same way. If you have a gala, a paddle raise, a benefit auction or another live fundraising moment coming up, and that sounds like your organization, let's talk about your event.
Unique travel packages
Unique travel packages
Exclusive travel experiences can do much more than anchor a live or silent auction. They make memorable raffle prizes, donor and sponsor thank-yous, and rewards for your top fundraisers. Each package is matched to your audience and your goal, so they aren't listed here. Start with a call or an email, and you'll hear what's possible.
Call 303.596.4640 Email [email protected]
Shelly is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to travel packages and experiences that can significantly enhance fundraising results… Her insight into what excites bidders and drives participation is a tremendous asset to any organization planning an auction event.
Lessons from the stage
The biggest lessons from 20 Years . . .
Sponsors want to be proud, not just seen.
The sponsors who came back were the ones who felt part of the mission.
Momentum is designed.
Generosity builds when every detail, from the first welcome to the final ask, points the same direction.
From the ballroom to the arena
Generosity scales.
That lesson from the ballroom became live, on-stage crowdfunding: a model for concerts, festivals and sporting events that invites thousands of fans to give a small amount at the same moment.
See what those years became
The same instincts, at every stage.
The same instincts now work for organizations at every stage, from a brand-new nonprofit to an institution founded in 1985.
Read the case studiesBooking an auctioneer
Have an event coming up?
Galas, paddle raises, benefit auctions and other live fundraising moments. If the fit is right, let's talk about your event.