No, is the short answer. Until the item has sold at your auction, there is no obligation or upfront cost. We reserve the item ahead of your event to lock in the pricing and ensure availability. Once your event has finished, we record the winners and connect them with their trips and experiences.
Every trip is different but we will always clearly state any restrictions or blackout dates on our website and marketing collateral to ensure the proper details are addressed before, during, and after your event. While some of our packages are rare bucket list items with limited availability (i.e The Superbowl) or scheduled yearly events (i.e The Masters),the majority of our packages have a wide variety of availability and allow the winner ample time to complete their travel.
In most cases yes, and it is often an effective strategy to increase your fundraising. A benefit to this is more of your supporters can participate in the auction to win a trip or experience and therefore they are more invested in your cause. In the event Portfolio, you will be able to see how many of a particular trip or experience can be offered at your event.
After your event. Simply log in to your Event Portfolio to enter the number of trips sold and winner information. From there, we will generate an invoice that you can easily pay online via credit card or electronic check. If preferred, we accept checks in the mail. Once payment is received you can sit back and relax as Mission First will ensure your donor receives their trip certificate and has a seamless travel experience with our trusted trip providers. Important tip, with all the excitement donors have about winning their trips, some will start calling the following day. We share with them the process at that time, however, their trip certificate will be sent to them after payment is received.
Once you submit your winners contact information into our system, winners of the trips will be sent an email and a text congratulating them on their prize and thanking them for supporting your cause. Because an email can sometimes be sent to spam folders, this two step communication ensures the winners receive their information promptly. Soon after, winners will receive additional information on how to book their experience and are reminded of the details and terms and conditions for using their trip. Most communication occurs each Tuesday and Thursday of the week.
“. If you click it, it goes to my page with contest details and “Tripper Tips” to help you to effectively use the Mission First Fundraising website and maximize your fundraising at your event.