While auctions have been around for a long time (auctions were used by both the ancient Babylonians and Romans), the technology that enables people to bid remotely on their mobile phones is a tad more recent.
When Peter Hair and two of his mates got together in 2011 to innovate new ways to help good causes and not-for-profits, they were amongst the first to pioneer the new mobile bidding technology. Eight years on, that technology is behind Galabid becoming one of the leading providers of online fundraising software in Australia and New Zealand.
Although this post is sponsored by one of my advertisers, all opinions are my own, and I think they are a great company I want to share with FRM readers.
Starting Small
While Galabid is well known to facilitate some of the leading charity events and major non-profits, they have also partnered with hundreds of schools and sporting clubs. These smaller groups have been able to take their fundraising to the next level by using the same fundraising platforms enjoyed by the larger charities.
Galabid help you think bigger
Galabid helps you think bigger and then provides the technology to actually accomplish it. Holding a fundraising dinner or special anniversary gala? Galabid can provide the software and a support team to run a profitable silent auction. Running a fete?
Galabid can help you manage live and online auctions as well as selling raffle tickets. You can even use the technology to hold an online auction without having an actual event.
The website is full of interesting ideas showing you how to be innovative and maximise the potential of your event:
- Increase participation by standing outside classrooms and registering parents for an auction while they are dropping kids at school.
- Getting families to pledge via their phones (using Galabid technology) to buy an engraved brick, raising over £80,000 in a matter of minutes for a new sports hall.
- A ‘12 Days of Christmas’ themed remote auction, with a new item released every day in the lead up to Christmas.
- Galabid even offer a cash prize raffle, where the winner gets to take a percentage of ticket sales, so you don’t even need to worry about sourcing a prize.
Get excited
Finding suitable prizes for your auction is probably one of the hardest tasks there is. Approaching local businesses can result in a random assortment of odd prizes, and it can be a long and arduous process.
Using Galabid means you have the option of accessing their collection of luxury consignment prizes, and if they don’t sell, they won’t cost you a cent. When they do sell, your cause receives every cent above the cost price (which is the lowest bid). You can use as many or as few of the consignment prizes as you want, and use them in conjunction with your own donated items.
Consignment prizes start around $300 so are affordable for most communities. Everything has been personally assessed by the team to ensure quality and make sure it exceeds expectations – All Galabid prizes offered have the ‘wow’ factor.
One of the luxury villa holiday prizes
Local holidays include a 2-bedroom luxury apartment at Noosa, a 4 bedroom villa in Port Douglas or a weekend retreat in a luxury B&B in Mollymook. Overseas holidays include a South African Safari, a private Thailand getaway, a luxury Balinese villa (pictured) or a stay at a Tuscan villa for 8 people. For all holidays Galabid provides an availability calendar before the event, so people know in advance when they are available and winners can book as soon as their win is confirmed.
Other consignment prizes include a mystery flight and accommodation, a chance to try a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator, a 5 course degustation dinner in your own home for 10 people or a chance to drive a fleet of supercars. Consignment prizes can be used in addition to your own donated prizes, such as children’s artwork, or even unique items for your community that won’t cost you a cent.
Full service
The advantage of using Galabid is that you’re not left on your own. Regardless of where you are located and which service you choose, you get your own account manager who is there to take you through the process, helps you set up your auction, find special prizes, and makes sure your event reaches its full potential. This is essential for time-poor volunteers, because having the new technology and account manager is like having extra team members.
Galabid run over 450 events every year, and have helped raise over $100 million, so the staff have seen it all, and are happy to share suggestions to make your event the best it can be. You can choose to have phone support on the day of your event or have a technician physically at the event. Local representation is a major component of their service model and one of the primary differentiators between Galabid and other providers.
Look the part
The Galabid digital fundraising platform looks stunning and makes your event look both professional and enticing. It is also user friendly and packed with features.
Galabid is a white label fundraising platform, meaning that their branding is NOT all over the fundraising platform – the only thing your supporters see is your name and branding. Your account manager will help you customise the platform so you can focus on the areas you want – whether it’s thanking sponsors by adding their logos, adding a donate button, providing information pages about your cause, a countdown timer to create a sense of urgency or a fundraising thermometer to show progress.
Galabid is very strong for physical events where the goal is to raise in excess of $10,000, with 200+ guests bidding on their smart phones for auction items. The technology enables rapid registration, big screen displays and quick and easy payment processes. However, they also work with smaller groups and you can contact them to work out a case-by-case deal. You can even open your auction early to increase excitement, and many groups have reached their fundraising target before the actual event.
Home-grown
Galabid is based in Sydney, and now has offices across the globe in Ireland, the UK and US. Account manager Angela is originally from Canada and is a mad keen sports fan. Andy is another account manager, and a Liverpool supporter living in Adelaide who collects bugout bags (look it up). Peter himself, the Managing Director, loves ocean swimming and may or may not have dodged a shark or two in his time.
There’s a large team and everyone plays a vital role, but the crucial component of Galabid is that all staff understand both events and the technology.
Pricing
All costs are upfront and known in advance, with no surprise charges at the end of the event. Because every event is unique, Galabid offers flexible pricing, and when using a minimum number of consignment prizes, the Galabid platform and even staff can be provided free of charge. You also use your own Stripe account for processing payments, so there are no extra charges from Galabid.
Galabid undertakes to ensure that all clients receive excellent fundraising returns, by helping you think bigger, and move your fundraising event to the next level. Please contact them directly for a pricing sheet.
What next?
If you are planning a major fundraising event and think you need the edge that Galabid provides, simply contact the friendly team by calling 1300 567 499 or sending an enquiry.
