A new virtual charity platform, labeled as IronGateAuctions.com, is poised to help mitigate COVID-19 fundraising challenges and help charities increase their returns compared to live auctions.
There’s no denying that since COVID-19 entered our world, charitable organizations have taken a massive hit. In fact, revenues have declined an average of 30.6 percent since the onset of the pandemic with 69 percent of Canadian charities reporting a decrease. With live events cancelled, a simple re-invention of a system that worked so well for so many years has been challenging.
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With virtual platforms being the primary connecting tool for the time being, charities are faced with having to adapt and are hoping that donors are just as willing and wanting to embrace the process and “log on” from their homes. It’s a far cry from dressing up all fancy and entering a ritzy hall, eating a gourmet meal in front of live entertainment. But that was then. This is now.
On November 17, Toronto-based Iron Gate Private Wine Management will launch IronGateAuctions.com, one of Canada’s first online wine auction platforms that will give charities more flexibility to fundraise. And, as charities continue to experience pandemic-related revenue shortfalls, IronGateAuctions.com is designed to help increase their net return compared to traditional live charity auctions.
“Virtual auctions cost less to execute, provide access to a larger buyer base and offer more bidding flexibility.” – Warren Porter
The pandemic was a catalyst for permanent changes to liquor auctions recently announced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) that allow for virtual charity wine auctions. Iron Gate Wine founder and president, Warren Porter (pictured above), has been lobbying for these changes for more than a decade, believing that the requirement for a live auction hindered a charity’s fundraising potential by limiting buyer demand and raising costs.
“Iron Gate Wine has always believed that a virtual auction can substantially increase the amount of revenue that a wine auction can generate for charity and we’re thrilled that the AGCO is finally on board,” says Porter, who is also the founder of IronGateAuctions.com. “Virtual auctions cost less to execute, provide access to a larger buyer base and offer more bidding flexibility, so we can create more demand compared to traditional events. In short, it’s a game-changer for charity wine auctions.”
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s (TSO) 30th Annual Fine Wine Auction will be the first to run on Iron Gate’s virtual auction platform. The week-long online event begins November 17 and will feature 500 wine lots valued at almost $1 million CAD with all proceeds benefitting TSO’s vital music and educational activities in the community.
“We’re confident that by taking this year’s wine auction online, the TSO will double its return.”
Traditionally, TSO’s Fine Wine Auction attracted buyers from Toronto. However, this year’s virtual auction has the potential to attract a broader audience and online bids can be made from anywhere across Canada. Additionally, purchases made at charity auctions are not subject to buyer premiums or sales tax applied to commercial auctions, equivalent to a 35 percent savings for buyers.
Available to bid on: A bottle of 1869 Lafite Rothschild
2009 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache
This 6 litre 2006 Ornellaia Vendemmia Artista is one of only 20 in the world.
“We’re confident that by taking this year’s wine auction online, the TSO will double its return,” says Porter. “And, virtual charity auctions are good for buyers too: they can find great wine, feel good about giving back to a worthwhile cause and avoid the extra costs associated with commercial wine auctions.”
Buyers looking to shop online for a special holiday gift or seeking a specific vintage to celebrate a milestone birthday can preview the TSO Fine Wine Auction online catalogue now on the website. Wines from every region of the world and all price points will be on offer. Some rare and coveted lots include:
- a bottle of 1869 Lafite Rothschild
- a 6 litre 2006 Ornellaia Vendemmia Artista, one of only 20 in the world
- 31 bottles of Dunn Howell Mountain, spanning vintages 1986 to 2007, all signed by the winemaker, and
- a 2009 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache valued at close to $10,000
Porter hopes that AGCO’s policy changes will encourage more charities to consider virtual wine auctions for their fundraising.
“The virtual model offers flexibility and scalability,” says Porter. “Charities can auction fewer lots at one time or host a series of smaller auctions depending on their access to wine donations. It’s a turn-key fundraising solution that charities can access now, when they need it most.”
Interested charities and wine buyers can register at IronGateAuctions.com for regular updates and early access to information about upcoming auctions.
IRONGATEAUCTIONS.COM: HOW IT WORKS:
- Bidding is anonymous, simple and secure
- Register at Irongateauctions.com with name, phone number and email address
- Registrants can create their own auction item wish list and make anonymous bids throughout the duration of an auction
- Bidders will receive email notifications for bids, outbids and won
- Bids can be placed from anywhere across Canada
- Online auction catalogues can be searched by producer, region and sub-region, vintage and appraisal value
- The platform features a real-time countdown clock that will track the time remaining in auction down to the second
- No cost to register and place bids
- No additional taxes or buyer’s premium for charity wine auctions
TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S 30TH ANNUAL FINE WINE AUCTION:
- Online catalogue preview begins on Friday, Nov. 6 at IronGateAuctions.com
- High resolution images of all auction lots will be featured
- Auction catalogue can be searched by producer, region and sub-region, vintage and appraisal value
- The virtual auction goes live on Nov. 17 at 12 p.m. EST at IronGateAuctions.com and closes on Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. EST
- Full terms and conditions of the TSO 30th Annual Fine Wine Auction will be available at https://irongateauctions.com/terms-conditions by Nov. 17
- Wine appraisals conducted by Robert Jull from Vinifera
- Thanks to the generosity of wine donors, this year’s virtual auction will feature wines from every region of the world and at all price points. Some rare and coveted lots include
- a 1869 Lafite Rothschild
- a 6 litre 2006 Ornellaia Vendemmia Artista , one of only 20 in the world
- 31 bottles of Dunn Howell Mountain, spanning vintages 1986 to 2007, all signed by the winemaker, and
- a 2009 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache valued at close to $10,000
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING AND DONOR GIVING:
- According to a May 2020 report published by Imagine Canada, charities are reporting a significant decline in revenue due to COVID-19
- Revenues have declined an average of 30.6 per cent since the onset of the pandemic with 69 per cent of Canadian charities reporting a decrease
- Arts, Culture & Recreation charities have been particularly hard hit, with 87 per cent reporting a decrease in revenues and almost three-quarters (74 per cent) reporting declines specifically in event-based fundraising
- A recent public opinion survey by Angus Reid Institute released on Sept. 17, 2020 reveals COVID-19 continues to curtail donor giving
- Nearly two-in-five (37 per cent) Canadians who have donated to at least one charity over the last two years say their donations have decreased since March.
