Bright Idea Live Fundraising
Helping nonprofits make the room feel alive — and ready to give.
"Wait, who will run the auction?"
We’ve all been there. The auction item is spectacular. The cause is worthy. The room is full of people who care. So why does the fundraising moment feel tense, flat, and awkward?
A board member wings it. An emcee keeps things moving but does not know how to close gifts. A commercial auctioneer brings the wrong energy for the room.
A different approach: professional artists
Trained artists + in-room fundraising strategy. Our hosts are prepared to do what they do best: read the room, capture attention, respond in real time, build warmth, and create momentum.
CASE STUDY
Major Cultural Nonprofit Gala
We paired a trained performer with an improv background with a strategic methodology to lead a regional theater gala.
The result was a $747,250 in-room giving moment, including $541,500 in Fund-A-Need gifts and $205,750 in live auction pledges.
The room included multiple spontaneous $100K Fund-A-Need gifts and major auction pledges at $30K+ levels.
It was the organization’s highest-grossing in-room auction to date - by tens of thousands of dollars.
The host mattered: instincts, charisma, timing, star power and spontaneity.
So did the strategy: giving levels, pre-commitments, donor sequencing, leadership moments, momentum.
The Offer
Bright Idea Live Fundraising is currently speaking with nonprofits, event planners, development leaders, and connectors about beta engagements for upcoming benefit events.
A typical Beta engagement includes:
Intake conversation with event leadership
Meeting with key development / event staff
Fundraising flow guidance
Review of script, run of show, auction items, and giving levels
Host preparation / rehearsal session
Day-of in-person rehearsal
Event-night hosting
Post-event debrief
Sarah McLellan
Senior Cultural Fundraising Strategist
Sarah McLellan is a senior cultural fundraising strategist and co-leader of A. D. Hamingson & Associates. With over $9.5M in benefit event fundraising across her career, Sarah brings a rare perspective to the nonprofit world. Her background in artist development at institutions like Juilliard and NYU has uniquely prepared her to lead high-stakes fundraising moments with both strategic depth and artistic flair.
$9.5M+ Raised to Date
15+ Years of Fundraising Strategy
Planning a benefit event?
We would love to talk about your next fundraising moment. Whether it's a gala, paddle raise, or live auction, we bring the spark and strategy to make your room feel alive.