Most organizations treat the paddle raise like a transaction. It's not. It's the most connective and community-based moment of your entire evening — and when it's done right, it feels like one.

Here's what actually makes a paddle raise work.

Lead With Story, Not Statistics

People don't give to statistics. They give to people. They give to animals. They give to stories that paint a picture so vivid they can feel themselves becoming part of something bigger than themselves.

Your mission moment — that one powerful story, whether it's a video or a live speaker  should happen immediately before your paddle raise with zero breaks in between. No pause for the development director. No board member stepping in to share why they give. Nothing.

The mission moment does the emotional lift. Your job is to let it land and then flow seamlessly into the ask. Any interruption bleeds the momentum you just built.

Silence Is Your Friend — Until It Isn't

Here's something nobody tells first time paddle raise facilitators: silence is a tool, not a threat.

A well-timed pause after an ask gives donors permission to decide. It signals confidence. It says I'm not afraid of this moment and neither should you be.

But there's a nuance and sitting in silence too long tips from powerful into uncomfortable. The skill is knowing when to gently nudge, when to hold, and when to move on gracefully. That comes with experience, but awareness that all three options exist is a great place to start.

Make Them Feel Like Co-Creators, Not Donors

High pressure and shame might get you the gift in the moment. But they also get you an embarrassed and uncomfortable guest  and one who likely won't return next year.

What actually moves people to give AND come back is feeling like their contribution creates something, hope, change, a life made better. We are creatures of connection and community. When your paddle raise taps into that truth, giving doesn't feel like an obligation. It feels like belonging.

That's the goal. Not the highest paddles in the room. The most people in the room who feel like they were part of something that mattered.

Debbie Scheer is a licensed benefit auctioneer, professional emcee, live event fundraising strategist, and keynote speaker based in Colorado, serving nonprofits nationwide. With hundreds of fundraising events under her belt she helps organizations create events that are strategic, inclusive, and meaningful — where guests feel great about giving and come back year after year. Reach out to Debbie to start the conversation.