Case Studies

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​If you are looking to hire a professional charity auctioneer for a nonprofit event in 2027, HUNT Auctioneers advise potential clients to consider a few specific instances of recent and historical fundraising success stories. These case studies are grounded in the proven principles of philanthropy, and have been tested by rigorous practice at high pressure events that lead to record breaking fundraising results. If you ignore these examples, and allow a gifted amateur to take the stage in your theatre of giving, then you are gambling with the future of your organization. 

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An analysis of the top 5 Fall 2025 fundraising events showed that HUNT Auctioneers raised their clients on average 76x (times) the amount of our fee. This translates into an extremely high return on investment (ROI) for clients.

For example, on October 16, 2025, HUNT fundraised for a youth services organization in New York City at Ziegfeld Ballroom. The paddle raise goal was $325,000, and HUNT raised $700,000, for a net increase of $375,000 over goal. The client's ROI for that night was an astonishing 9,233%. The Director of Events had this to say about HUNT:

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"Thank you for helping us navigate another unforgettable night of fundraising at the benefit! You killed it, conducting the paddle raise with humility, heart, and purpose. In just a few short minutes, you inspired a room full of guests to take action in support of our mission and helped us to raise a record-breaking amount. Your deep understanding of our organization, intuitive read of the room, and seamless pacing and tone were spot-on. We’re always struck by the way you balance professionalism with warmth, and how naturally you connect with our audience. Our partnership means so much to us and we’re so grateful for your role in our success."

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In another case study from November 13, 2025, HUNT Auctioneers conducted a live auction and paddle raise (giving moment) for a non profit supporting young entrepreneurs at Lavan Midtown in Manhattan. The organization's goal was $550,000, and HUNT raised a tremendous record amount of $1,600,000. These results were over 1 million dollars above goal! Considering the consultation and auctioneer fee for this event, the client's ROI for fundraising strategy and execution amounts to 12,700%. The Chief Operating Officer said "Lucas was an absolute pleasure to work with!"

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For one more success story, on November 15, 2025, HUNT Auctioneers lead a live auction and appeal (paddle raise) for a museum in Chicago, Illinois at The Geraghty. There was a particular focus on increasing net fundraising revenue for this event,  shifting funds from a live auction full of consignment trips, to the live appeal. The combined goal for the auction and appeal was $450,000, and HUNT helped raise $675,000, equating to $275,000 over the stated goal. The ROI for this client came to 4,255%. The Manager of Special Events said "I am reeling from the incredible swing we were able to pull off moving donations from the live auction to our appeal. Thank you for your push for the last 3 years."

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From 2021 to 2023, HUNT Auctioneers participated in research with Urban Promise (UP), a client who supports education and youth development in Camden, New Jersey. Over the course of 3 years, we consulted with UP on a fundraising strategy for 6 total events. Their development and leadership team worked to pre-secure donors at the highest levels of giving for their fund a need (paddle raise). Event after event, UP secured an increasing amont of multiple seed gifts, which had a profound effect on fundraising totals. In fact, the Director of Individual Giving reported that the organization raised and additional 3X the pre-secured amount at EVERY event. He said, "It's clear that people respond to other people when it comes to in room giving, and MSG can have a 3X Multiplier Effect!"​

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In the spring of 2018, HUNT Auctioneers conducted a survey of the Executive Directors and Development Directors they consulted with on a regular basis as clients. 37 out of 40 of HUNT's non profit clients from that season exceeded their paddle raise goals. That equals an astonishing 92.5% success rate! HUNT and their clients achieved their objectives through a partnership that focused on mission based, donor centric fundraising appeals (aka paddle raise, fund-a-need, the giving moment). Storytelling was front and foremost in each program run of show, and fundraising occurred sooner rather than later in the program, where it has proven to better engage guests. Consequentially, the only 3 organizations that failed to reached their paddle raise goals, neglected HUNT's advice to pre-secure lead gifts at the highest giving levels. This conclusion has remained true over the years; multiple seed gifts (MSG) predicate success.

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