BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Production & Strategy

How One Change Helped This Benefit See a Major Fund-Raising Boost

A Washington school changed its auction strategy and brought in more than $100,000 as a result.

D. Channing Muller
March 9, 2017

Anyone planning a silent auction has likely wondered, is the effort worth it? From soliciting items to the logistics of the displays, it can be a lot of work. At a recent Washington fund-raiser, organizers found a way to pare back the auction and still increase donations.

The St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School’s annual spring auction combines a sit-down dinner with an expansive silent and live auction to raise money for its financial aid programs. This year, the events committee shifted the format to emphasize direct donations and cut back the number of auction items. The move resulted in a record-breaking $100,000 increase in direct donations to its "Fund a Scholar" program. Conceptually, it also worked with the evening’s “Be A Hero” theme, with superhero decor from Events by André Wells.

“There is this false assumption that more items meant more money,” said co-chairwoman Jill White, who noted that auction consultant Cathy Albo of C2Auctions advised the school to reduce the items on offer. “What we’re hearing [from donors] is that they would rather give to the bottom line than spend money on an item they may never use.”

The team reduced silent auction items from 695 to 425, and cut the number of live auction items from 35 to 25. The committee focused on quality of items, rather than quantity, which had a side benefit of reducing the logistical workload for the volunteers.

Organizers noted that they will continue to tweak their auction in future years. Co-chair Paige Kevil said the team plans to reduce the live auction items and evaluate whether any silent auction categories should be eliminated based on performance. (This year, they cut the Home & Garden category.)

The final fund-raising total for the event is still being calculated but is expected to be more than $500,000. About 330 guests attended the event, which took place at the school.

Pop Art signs identified each of the auction categories, with masks and other superhero props decorating the tables.
Pop Art signs identified each of the auction categories, with masks and other superhero props decorating the tables.
Photo: Ben Droz
Red, blue, and yellow drapery defined the main event space in the school's church.
Red, blue, and yellow drapery defined the main event space in the school's church.
Photo: Ben Droz
Events by André Wells created a city skyline on the walls with silhouettes of superheroes flying above.
Events by André Wells created a city skyline on the walls with silhouettes of superheroes flying above.
Photo: Ben Droz
Pop Art-style stickers of superhero phrases covered the walls in one of the silent auction rooms.
Pop Art-style stickers of superhero phrases covered the walls in one of the silent auction rooms.
Photo: Ben Droz
After the cocktail reception and silent auction, guests headed across the street for a three-course dinner catered by Occasions Caterers in the school's gym, where the red, blue, yellow, and black hero-theme decor continued.
After the cocktail reception and silent auction, guests headed across the street for a three-course dinner catered by Occasions Caterers in the school's gym, where the red, blue, yellow, and black hero-theme decor continued.
Photo: Ben Droz
Latest in Production & Strategy
Fords Gin's 'Beyond the Pour' experience spanned a total of 7,378 square feet across four rooms. The final room, 'The Garnish Lounge' (pictured), was the largest, offering guests an array of citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and even toasted bread to complete their gin cocktail.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside Fords Gin's Multisensory Experience at Rockefeller Center
The Method campaign extended to the venue concourse, where a shower-inspired photo booth invites fans to engage with cultural touchpoints like un cafecito, snap selfies with themed backdrops, and even send postcards home. On opening weekend, lines stretched over an hour as fans waited to participate.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
20 Times Event Bathrooms Became the Star of the Show (Yes, Really)
At the smoothie stand, visitors could snag the Not-Your-$20-Strawberry-Glaze Smoothie, which was inspired by the viral smoothie from a popular LA grocery store.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
No $20 Viral Smoothies Here—How ALDI Created an Outdoor Farmers Market Pop-Up
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
Related Stories
Mélangerie Inc.’s customized wedding genealogy charts detail the relationship of the wedded couple to their guests with the help of a relationship key. Guests browse the chart during the cocktail hour to learn about their tablemates.
Social Events
Weddings
Dsc09583
Strategy
Using FOMO to Boost Your Event on Social Media
This was the first year Upfront Summit took place at a custom-built, indoor-outdoor venue.
Event Production & Fabrication
Organizers Created a Custom Space for a Growing Financial Summit—and Then Fully Transformed It
Ex9a4359
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
How to Create Brand Loyalty Through the "Un-Event"
More in Production & Strategy
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside Fords Gin's Multisensory Experience at Rockefeller Center
Forget billboards. Fords Gin invited guests to taste its brand story with a multiroom experience that explored what really makes a good drink.
Fords Gin's 'Beyond the Pour' experience spanned a total of 7,378 square feet across four rooms. The final room, 'The Garnish Lounge' (pictured), was the largest, offering guests an array of citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and even toasted bread to complete their gin cocktail.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
20 Times Event Bathrooms Became the Star of the Show (Yes, Really)
Whether functional or just for fun, these cheeky bathroom-themed activations prove no space is too private for creativity.
The Method campaign extended to the venue concourse, where a shower-inspired photo booth invites fans to engage with cultural touchpoints like un cafecito, snap selfies with themed backdrops, and even send postcards home. On opening weekend, lines stretched over an hour as fans waited to participate.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
No $20 Viral Smoothies Here—How ALDI Created an Outdoor Farmers Market Pop-Up
The grocery store chain showcased its affordable products within a cute farmstand-like setting.
At the smoothie stand, visitors could snag the Not-Your-$20-Strawberry-Glaze Smoothie, which was inspired by the viral smoothie from a popular LA grocery store.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
At the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., the network offered the show’s superfans a fun secret spy lair.
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
In a world where inboxes are full and attention spans are short, an invitation can make or break your event’s perception.
This SNL50 mailer included a Marshall speaker—an homage to the decades-spanning musical guests on the show—a bottle of Chandon to toast the milestone, and a limited-edition crewneck.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
Millennials, this one's for you. The streamer welcomed thousands of guests during a four-day experience celebrating its beloved '90s and '00s IP.
Disney+ hosted a Throwback Experience for fans June 12-15 in Los Angeles.
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
20 Times Event Bathrooms Became the Star of the Show (Yes, Really)
Event Design & Decor
7 Smart Ways to Beat the Heat at Outdoor Events
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
No $20 Viral Smoothies Here—How ALDI Created an Outdoor Farmers Market Pop-Up
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside Fords Gin's Multisensory Experience at Rockefeller Center
Event Production & Fabrication
WorldPride DC: How Event Organizers Created a Safe Space for the LGBTQ+ Community in the Nation's Capital
The massive celebration was a challenge for many reasons, but the global Pride event was still authentically D.C. Hear from organizers at Destination DC and Capital Pride Alliance.
WorldPride D.C. took place May 17-June 8.
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
These companies broke through the noise with creative activations, events, and experiences that engaged attendees, fans, and consumers.
2025 Industry Innovators Article Image Brands
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: June 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
Hennessy returned to Gov Ball with its revamped Hennessy Highline. Festivalgoers stopped by for live mural paintings, DJ sets between performances, custom photo ops, and an interactive claw machine where fans lined up for a shot at exclusive Hennessy premiums, as well as cocktails like the Henny-Rita, Hennessy Berry Mojito, and Hennessy Pineapple. See more: Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
LinkedIn, Spotify, Canva, Pinterest, Meta, and dozens of other top brands showed up in a big way at the world’s most creative week. Take a look inside their splashy activations.
LinkedIn's Rooftop & Studio
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Block Party: See How Minecraft Was Transformed Into an IRL Video Game
The popular game has been turned into an interactive in-person experience that just opened in Canada.
Visitors embark on a rescue mission with a team of fellow Minecrafters.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Here’s a look at some steal-worthy ideas we spotted in June 2025.
The pop-up brought the magazine to life through live hair demonstrations by local stylists, along with immersive moments designed to honor the legacy, creativity, and versatility of Black hair.
Page 1 of 712
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.