MANY OF US ARE IN POSITIONS where fundraising becomes our lifeblood, the marker of our success, and the means to pursue our goals. We run organizations, either professionally or in volunteer positions, where we advance a larger cause and serve a greater mission. Fundraising makes it possible to achieve our mission. Despite its fundamental role in our work, most of us have limited experience or knowledge of the highly specialized strategies that lead to financial success.

This is exactly where Kathy Kingston comes in, and changes everything.

After working with Kathy we experienced firsthand her unique approach that combines theory, strategy, planning, and just the right amount of emotion to create “The Kingston Difference.” Kathy's strategies led us to our unprecedented success in our fundraising event. In two short years, we went from $700,000 to over $4 million in the Live Auction and Fund-a-Need Appeal alone!

We first met Kathy Kingston several years ago, as we struggled to take our regional wine auction from a local event to one of the leading charitable wine auctions in the country. Over the phone as we were interviewing her, we quickly recognized that she brought a distinctive perspective and a unique set of skills to the business of fundraising. From our research we had learned that Kathy was one of the country's most successful charity auction consultants; however, it wasn't until we began to work with her that we realized Kathy's true gifts:

Where others take more traditional fundraising approaches in their strategies, Kathy Kingston is a professional coach, a woman with great vision and an ability to inspire, motivate, and drive results.

Where others see tired auction bidders, Kathy sees room to expand the “circle of influence” and generate the expectation to give.

Where others use a single formula across all clients, Kathy sees a community and delves into the culture to inspire meaningful and personal philanthropic giving.

Where others focus on the event, Kathy focuses on the mission and creates a culture of giving that transcends the event for long-term donor and stakeholder support.

We recognize that our newly gained fundraising success also comes with a great responsibility, a duty to use our funds wisely and to work with our donors to make a deep and lasting impact on the children and families in our community. We are making a difference, and we know that this community will be stronger because of the foundation that Kathy helped us build and the spirit of giving that she has inspired.

We will always remember that “the number one rule in fundraising is that people give to people,” and Kathy Kingston demonstrates this truth on a daily basis.

Now, through A Higher Bid, Kathy is sharing her money-making wisdom with a new audience: you the reader. Make sure to keep a notepad handy. The strategies she shares could be a game-changer for you and your cause.

Maureen L. Cottingham, Executive Director,
Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers

Honore Comfort, Executive Director,
Sonoma County Vintners

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and
Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction