.png){kind=small}
How Holy Family Raised $45,365 in Silent Auction Revenue on Saturday, February 7
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Event night success rarely starts on event night.
On Saturday, February 7, Holy Family hosted their annual fundraiser, and the silent auction alone generated $45,365 in revenue. Just as importantly, the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
The reason
The hard work was done before guests ever arrived.
The Baseline Before Check In Even Opened
At 5:30 PM CST on Saturday evening, just before check in began, Holy Family’s event was already well underway.
193 registered bidders
$10,629 in silent auction revenue
62% of bidders had credit cards on file
84% phone numbers collected
85% email addresses collected
Silent bidding was already active. Guests were registered, reachable, and ready to participate without lines, confusion, or last minute setup. The auction itself was live and accessible to bidders before and during the event.
The Result $45,365 in Silent Auction Revenue
By 10:00 PM CST, the results spoke for themselves.
208 bidders
$45,365 in silent auction revenue
1,291 total bids placed
1,105 bids placed in the final 2 hours of bidding
84% of bidders had credit cards on file
90% phone numbers collected
90% email addresses collected
69% of bidders checked in
Fundraising did not depend on everyone checking in immediately. It depended on preparation.
Late Night Momentum Drove Results
One of the most telling metrics from the night was how active bidding became toward the end of the event.
Of the 1,291 total silent auction bids, more than 85% were placed in the final two hours. That kind of late surge only happens when bidders are confident, engaged, and able to bid instantly without friction.
Because credit cards were already on file and messaging was in place, bidding accelerated exactly when it mattered most.
Donors Chose to Cover the Fees
Another notable outcome from the night was donor support beyond bidding.
89% of admin fees were covered by donors, maximizing the funds raised for Holy Family. When checkout is simple and transparent, donors are more willing to say yes to covering fees.
That is a small detail that adds up in a big way.
Silent Auction Items with Most Bids
Engagement was spread across a wide range of items, with strong interest in experiences and school connected offerings.
The top 10 silent auction items by number of bids were:
Reserved Parking Spot #2
Reserved Parking Spot #1
Reserved Parking Spot #4
Reserved Seating and Parking at 8th Grade Graduation
Dinner and Dancing Arthur Murray and Blue Corn Harvest
Movie Afternoon with the Sisters
Man Care Kit
Reserved Parking Spot #5
7th Grade Custom Tiled Serving Tray Set
8th Grade Custom Photo Mosaic Keepsake
Items tied directly to the school community and unique experiences generated the most bidding activity.
Why the Silent Auction Performed So Well
Holy Family’s success was not accidental.
Credit cards were collected early
By the end of the night, 84% of bidders already had cards on file. This eliminated checkout friction and encouraged confident bidding.
Messaging worked because the data was ready
With 90% phone and email coverage, bid alerts and outbid notifications reached almost everyone instantly.
The Real Takeaway Calm Events Raise More Money
Holy Family did not just raise more money. They ran a better event.
Because bidders were registered, cards were stored, and messages were ready ahead of time, event night became about engagement instead of logistics.
At HelloFund, we focus on the pre event work so that event night feels organized, smooth, and enjoyable.
And when that happens, results like $45,365 in silent auction revenue, 1,291 bids, and 89% of fees covered by donors are not a surprise. They are the outcome.
Everything Ran Very Smoothly This Year
The numbers tell one story. The experience tells another.
After the event, one organizer shared that everything ran very smoothly this year. They were able to walk around the room for nearly 45 minutes and felt far more organized than the year before, allowing them to focus on guests and enjoy the night.
That is what good pre event preparation delivers Less stress, more confidence, and the freedom to actually enjoy the event.
