Key Nonprofit Highlights
Tanglen Elementary PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization), a nonprofit organization run entirely by dedicated volunteers, has always been committed to supporting their Minnetonka, MN, school community. When they needed to transition from in-person, pen-and-paper auctions to a digital solution and faced challenges like affordability and ease of use, the PTO found Bloomerang Fundraising to be a perfect fit, offering a cost-effective, user-friendly digital auction system without long-term commitments. Volunteers quickly set up a virtual auction, showcasing items online and incorporating creative fundraising features like a wine pull and fund-a-need packages. They raised over $9,000 with their virtual auction—tripling the previous $2,500 raised at in-person events.
Challenge
Adapting a digital fundraising solution that meets educational nonprofit needs
The Tanglen Elementary PTO’s typical fundraising events involved in-person auctions, including their well-known “Parents Night Out.” These pen-and-paper auctions were essential for funding crucial programs and supporting staff and students alike. When faced with the need to adapt to a digital solution, the organization needed a platform that aligned with their unique needs. Criteria such as affordability, ease of use, and reliable tools for creating engaging campaigns were high on the list. Jen Cameron, the Fundraising Chair for Tanglen Elementary PTO, was determined to overcome these challenges. “I researched and made phone calls but found that a lot of auction tools wanted thousands of dollars or required a one-year commitment,” said Cameron. “We’re a volunteer PTO, so we couldn’t afford that.”
Solution
Implementing Bloomerang’s auction software for nonprofits was easy
In search of an intuitive yet cost-effective platform, Cameron discovered Bloomerang Fundraising. The solution checked every box for Tanglen Elementary PTO: no long-term contract, an affordable price point, and an easy-to-navigate digital auction system. After presenting it to the PTO board, the decision to move forward was met with enthusiasm.
Setting up the digital auction was a seamless process for the PTO volunteers, even without prior design experience. “It was so easy! All I did was find a picture of that item online and drop it into the platform,” said Cameron. “So much better than bringing a grill in a box to an event!” The user-friendly Bloomerang interface allowed the PTO to transition from physical bidding sheets to mobile and web-based bidding, giving their community secure access to participate from anywhere.
The PTO went all-in with their planning—collecting auction items, presenting them via creative images online, and even incorporating a wine pull with bottles donated by the PTO president. Leveraging Bloomerang’s fund-a-need feature added another layer of innovation, enabling the community to buy teacher appreciation packages. The result was a multifaceted fundraiser that stretched far beyond traditional auction methods.
Results
Bloomerang Fundraising’s auction software triples donations at virtual auction
The shift to Bloomerang’s digital auction platform was nothing short of transformative. Tanglen Elementary PTO raised over $9,000 through their virtual auction, a significant leap from the $2,500 they typically earned during in-person events managed via clunky systems. “Our average fundraising year is probably about $30,000, so for us to do a $9,000 auction with Bloomerang is huge,” shared Cameron.
The PTO also used Bloomerang Fundraising to sell teacher appreciation gifts, generating enough revenue to ensure that each of the school’s 108 staff received a gift—all without tapping into the PTO budget. By embracing Bloomerang Fundraising, Tanglen Elementary PTO not only salvaged their fundraising efforts but also elevated them to new heights.
