The audacious goal that raised $75,000 for Seven Women in a single evening

Last month, we held a charity auction to raise funds for Seven Women's brand new guesthouse in Kathmandu. Our goal was to raise $70k by auctioning off naming rights to the 10 rooms and other parts of the building that would soon launch as our Seven Women Guesthouse.

The event had a dual purpose. It would be a celebration of our achievements in the last 12 years, and also an opportunity to share our updates and future vision with our friends and supporters, and invite them to travel with us on the next leg of our incredible journey.

To reach our fundraising target, we had to fill the room with people who were willing to contribute and who were invested in making a real difference. When booking the iconic Hotel Windsor Ballroom, we committed to 150 people attending. We had three weeks to make that happen. 

We got straight to work. I called a meeting of key people and got them on-board with the idea. A few of them had doubts whether we could pull off something this ambitious. What made it more interesting was that the three main organisers would have to plan and coordinate while travelling to different parts of the world in the lead up to the event.

Was I up for the challenge? Hell, yeah!

Did I really believe we could pull this off? Absolutely.

Was I still anxious about the possibility of it all going pear-shaped? Yes, but you have to risk it to get the biscuit. ha!

On 28 November, 170 people gathered in the Hotel Windsor Ballroom and collectively raised $75k in a matter of minutes. Incredible. I was so humbled by the generosity and support in the room that night.

Many people have wondered how we pulled off a wildly successful event during the busiest time of year within a seemingly impossible timeframe. For those who are thinking of taking up a similar challenge, hopefully this will give you a glimpse into how we made it happen and how when you put your mind to something....anything is possible.

Invite the right people 

First and foremost, I wanted people with a generosity of spirit to attend. I sent invites to those who had participated in previous fundraisers and also to those who attended our documentary launch screening in Melbourne two years ago. I knew they were familiar with our work and the impact of Seven Women. When you invite the right people, the positive vibe multiplies.

Ask for what you need

Asking for monetary support doesn’t come naturally to most people, including myself. But what I’ve learnt over and over again is that you have to give people a chance to say yes. And you'll be surprised at how many do when you ask. It helps to remember two things when making the ask - the cause you're championing is greater than yourself, and that the answer is never personal.

The money we needed wasn't just to rebuild a building but to help Nepalese women rebuild and transform their lives. Making the ask simple and easy to understand is also critical to getting a 'yes'. Our vision was to renovate a building into a guesthouse to support hospitality training for marginalised women and creating employment pathways while tapping into tourists that want to make an impact when they travel.

Bring people on the journey

In the last 12 years since starting Seven Women, I have met some incredible people who have inspired me and with whom I've kept in touch with. This has helped me build strong relationships with people who have eventually become supporters, friends and benefactors. Many have visited Nepal to see our work, participated in our tours with Hands On Development and followed our progress. I knew these people had my back and were deeply connected with Seven Women so I personally invited them to our event.

On the evening of the auction, I was confident that least 40 people in the room would be bidding. I also knew that most of the Guesthouse's rooms would be snapped up. Each cost $3,500 to renovate - no small amount. But when the auctioneer, Kevin Sheehan, started auctioning off the rooms, every single one was bid on and $35,000 was raised within minutes. We were already halfway there!

What also helped us get off to such a fantastic start was our emcee, Dr. Louise Mahler, taking the guests through the evening's agenda, explaining the purpose of the auction and how it worked. All these little touch points created great momentum for the evening's journey.

Work with the right people 

I love working with people who who have a 'can-do attitude' and get on with the job. Those who worked with me on this event had no idea how my vision would eventually materialise. But I could clearly see the big picture and knew that my friends Dr. Louise Mahler and Kevin Shehan would deliver on it spectacularly. Having been a guest myself at the Hotel Windsor, I knew it would be a stunning venue, And I knew 95% of people on the guest list. All that together gave me a great sense of what to expect on the night and whether our vision was realistic. Many of those who helped out were not privy to all these insights but they believed enough in the vision and in me to work as hard as they could. People like that are GOLD. Hold them close. Without them, this event would not have been possible.

Find out what inspires your audience 

One question I’m frequently asked is how to get Australians to care about a cause that’s so far removed from their lives. My answer is to find out what inspires them about your story. With Seven Women, it’s the fact that an ordinary Australian took action against an injustice with just $200 in her pocket. People are inspired by those who take action. In the case of Seven Women, they're also inspired to play a part in empowering some of the most marginalised women in the world by supporting a sustainable cause. But here's the thing. Seven Women started with me but it's not about me. Everyone can take action at any time to right the many injustices in our world. Small acts carried out with determination, persistence and passion can lead to great impact.

Acknowledge and thank those who have backed you

There is nothing more powerful than acknowledging those who have make things happen. And there were a lot of people to thank on that amazing evening. I mentioned every single one by name because gratitude connects and inspires people.

This event was a triumph over time and possibility. It's proof that anything is possible if you believe and get on with making it happen.

Here’s a clip of that unforgettable evening.