Digital transformation for charitable impact
When the pandemic closed the doors, we moved a beloved in-person charity golf auction online without losing a beat.
The challenge
When the pandemic hit, St. Anthony Charities needed to pivot their successful in-person charity golf auction to an online format quickly, while maintaining the event's fundraising effectiveness and community engagement.
This was a mid-size charity with more than 50 volunteers and a fundraiser the community counted on, so the move online had to feel as warm and as reliable as the event always had.
What we built
We collaborated with charity volunteers in weekly design sessions to create a user-friendly online auction platform. The solution included real-time bidding, item galleries, secure payment processing, and volunteer management tools.
The whole platform was built to run a live charity fundraiser without a hitch, from the moment a donor registered through to a confirmed, paid bid.
How we approached it
We worked alongside the people who run the event every year, so the platform fit the way they already raise money rather than forcing them to start over.
Stakeholder interviews
We started with interviews with the charity organizers to understand the event and what makes it work.
Map the journeys
We mapped the user journeys for both bidders and volunteers so nothing fell between the cracks.
Design the platform
We designed the platform architecture and the database that would hold items, bids, and donors.
Build the auction
We built a custom WordPress platform with auction tooling for real-time bidding and item galleries.
Wire up payments
We integrated the payment gateway and ran security testing so every transaction was safe.
Train & launch
We trained the volunteers and launched the platform in time for the event.
The result
The platform carried the auction through the pandemic and well beyond it. Over a decade it generated more than $280,000 in charitable funding, reached 500-plus donors, and consistently exceeded its fundraising targets, all while keeping critical community programs alive through an unprecedented stretch.
- Generated $280,000-plus in charitable funding over 10 years
- Consistently exceeded fundraising targets 60 percent of the time
- Transformed in-person events into thriving digital experiences
- Sustained critical community programs through unprecedented challenges
- Built lasting donor relationships across Arizona and beyond
Technologies & skills
A practical, dependable stack built to run a live fundraising event: a custom WordPress build with the payment, data, and front-end work to make real-time bidding feel effortless.
Client testimonial
"The platform was a lifesaver during COVID. We not only met our goals but exceeded them thanks to Pastel Dawn's incredible work."
Malcolm Hilcove
Volunteer Board Member, St. Anthony Charities