Benefit Auctions & Fundraising Events of 2025

Explore Austin is a nonprofit that provides outdoor activities and experiences for economically challenged youth in the Austin Area. This event helped to fund the gear and logistics for nationwide camping, canoeing and rock climbing experiences. Jake’s ability to connect the guests with the mission hit the mark. During the appeal, he successfully as a donor to 5X the top level of giving, surprising everyone in the room. He surpassed the nights goal by 40%.

Team Catapult provides equipment, prosthetics, volunteer guides and support for athletes with disabilities so they can compete in endurance sports. This was the first year they included a live auctioneer in the live program. The organizer was understandably nervous, but we beat the goal by over 100% and rocked the house!

Project Mend supplies mobility equipment for seniors, veterans and those with special needs in the San Antonio and surrounding areas. By working with their event committee, Jake elevated the fundraising program’s live auction and paddles up appeal for giving. Jake’s experience as a father of a daughter with special needs resonated with the crowd. His authenticity was undeniable, sincere and authentic. The results were a 250% increase in fundraising from the year before.

Care for a Child’s Heart provides open heart surgery for children in Kenya. When they decided to elevate their fundraising program, Jake helped integrate a live auction and paddle raise into their program. When the live auction items did not connect with the audience, other auctioneers may have bailed out and called it a night. Instead, Jake captivated the audience with his paddles up appeal by sharing his personal experiences with his own daughter. The audience reacted by giving at every level in the paddles up, including at the highest level (which Jake had doubled in the moment, feeling the connection in the room). He surpassed the goal and we all left buzzing about the night’s success.

Thriving Hearts Crisis Center provides support, counseling, shelter and resources for women and families escaping abuse and human trafficking. As a new organization we had our work cut out for us. Jake was able to surpass the previous year’s total by 45%.

Russell Lee Elementary has an great party each year for the PTA fundraiser. It included a live auction of trips, experiences and jewelry, but the best part was auctioning off over 20 pieces of artwork made by the students. Jake kept the audience engaged as they competed for bragging rights, ultimately raising more money than ever before. It proves you can create an atmosphere of giving whether you are in a fancy ballroom or a dusty party barn. What a night!