Karen Sorbo Blog
The Secret to Unlocking Generosity at Your Next Event
No matter the time of year, nonprofit events require more than careful planning. You can have a beautiful venue, a seamless run of show, and a high-energy crowd—but if your guests aren’t emotionally prepared to give, you’re leaving potential on the table. In my experience, the most successful fundraising events are not the o
Why Emotion Matters More Than Money in Fundraising
When I step onto the stage at a benefit auction, I’m not just there to call out numbers. I’m there to hold space for something far more powerful than a paddle raise or a final bid. I’m there to move hearts. Over the course of more than 3,000 fundraising events, I’ve seen the full spectrum […]
Honoring Those Who Serve: The Power of Giving Back Through Benefit Auctions
There are moments in life and work that stay with you. For me, one of those moments was stepping onto the stage at the IAVA Hero Awards in New York City—an evening dedicated to honoring the courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. The room was filled with passion, purpose, and a deep sense […]
Building Donor Trust: Strategies for Long-Term Engagement
Over the years, I’ve had the honor of stepping onto the stage at events where I already know half the room. Not just the organizers and board members, but the guests—the donors, the volunteers, the couples who attend year after year and always sit at the same table. I greet them like old friends, because […]
The Psychology of Giving
Why Reading the Room Matters More Than Reading a Script There’s something electric about a fundraising gala. The lights, the energy, the buzz in the room—it all builds toward that moment when the ask is made and paddles start to rise. But here’s a truth most people don’t realize until they’ve been in the trenches…g
Karen Sorbo Named to Twin Cities Business 100: A Testament to Purpose-Driven Leadership
We are honored to share that Karen Sorbo has been named to Twin Cities Business magazine’s 2025 TCB 100: Newsmakers to Watch – a recognition bestowed upon individuals poised to make significant impacts in Minnesota’s business and civic communities in the coming year. Karen’s journey as a benefit auctioneer spans
