MANCHESTER – A fund-raising auction seminar will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Augusta Country Club in Manchester.

It will coach nonprofit agencies and volunteers on effective strategies to increase charity auction profits in a complex fiscal climate.

“A tough economy and competitive fund-raising climate are challenging local nonprofits to create innovative ways to raise more money,” said Kathy Kingston, professional fund-raising auctioneer and consultant. “Fund-raising auctions add significant profits; build donor relations and add an upbeat dimension to fund-raising capacity.”

Kingston is president of Kingston Auction Co. of Newmarket, N.H., which specializes in benefit auctions and fund-raising consulting. She is one of the few auctioneers in the nation who has expertise in both nonprofit management and fund-raising auctioneering.

She conducts auctions throughout the nation, is a member of the National Auctioneers Association and was recently named a finalist in the 2003 International Auctioneer Championship.

The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The $150 cost includes lunch. Early bird and group discounts are $100 per person.