Gold Medal Giving: How Special Olympics Alaska Surpassed $300K & Sold Out Their Medal Wall with OneCause
Background
For over 50 years, Special Olympics Alaska has empowered athletes with intellectual disabilities through competitive sports. Their mission goes far beyond the gold medals – it’s rooted deeply in dignity, inclusion, and joy.
Every training, every event, every race is a celebration of human potential.
“We witness courage every day. Special Olympics Alaska is a place where people discover their strength, and are celebrated for it,” explained Jessica Bjornstad, Vice President of Development & Communications.
Based in Anchorage, the organization serves as a community cornerstone. Its flagship fundraiser brings together 300+ supporters, sponsors, and athletes for an unforgettable evening of generosity, storytelling, and celebration.
In 2024, their event – “Masquerade in the Garden” — became the most successful gala in the organization’s history.
Opportunity
With new leadership and an ambitious vision for the future, Special Olympics Alaska entered their gala planning season with more than just fundraising goals. They set out to reimagine the entire donor experience.
Jessica Bjornstad, newly appointed as Vice President of Development & Communications, knew that a memorable, mission-driven event couldn’t be built on outdated tech and spreadsheets. The team needed a platform that could keep pace with their creativity and meet their supporters where they were — on their phones, in the moment, and ready to give.
“Our old system felt clunky and outdated. We were ready to elevate the experience — for our team and especially for our guests,” commented Jessica.
In the past, guests experienced friction with the giving process.
The team set out to create an event experience where:
- Guests could bid and give with ease
- Every moment was infused with the organization’s mission
- No one had to wait in line, shuffle paper, or wonder what to do next
- Supporters felt joy and excitement
Their goals were bold:
- Improve the donor experience from start to finish
- Build a mobile-friendly, seamless event and giving site
- Create emotional momentum during key giving moments
- Find new ways to activate generosity in the room
Choosing OneCause was a decision rooted in their commitment to donor satisfaction, storytelling, and operational excellence.
Jessica set the tone, “It wasn’t just about hitting a fundraising number. It was about how our supporters felt while doing it. We wanted them to feel connected, appreciated, and inspired.”
Solution
After switching to the OneCause Fundraising Platform, Special Olympics Alaska experienced a total transformation in how they planned, promoted, and powered their fundraising event. From day one, the platform (and the dedicated people behind it) became a catalyst for bold ideas, powerful engagement, and big results.
Jessica shared, “Stephanie, our OneCause consultant, went above and beyond. She helped us think outside the box. Her guidance gave us confidence to try new things, and it paid off in a huge way.”
This wasn’t just a tech upgrade. It was a complete evolution of the donor experience. From mobile bidding to personalized messaging, OneCause helped the team meet donors exactly where they were.
And the result? More energy. More generosity. More connection. First-time guests became first-time donors. And the seamless giving experience made it easy and meaningful for donors to give in a way that felt personal, purposeful, and joyful.
Fund-a-Need Thermometer Ignites the Room
With the help of the real-time Fund-a-Need thermometer, the team crafted a high-energy giving moment that felt more like a celebration than a solicitation. Names lit up on the screen as donations came pouring in, guests cheered, and momentum grew.
Jessica recalled, “The energy in the room was unlike any past gala. The thermometer made such a difference. It helped us raise the most we’ve ever raised in a cash call.”
By integrating the real-time thermometer, Special Olympics Alaska:
- Doubled their typical Fund-a-Need total
- Created a powerful sense of urgency and participation
- Delivered a “gold medal moment” that resonated deeply with donors
Sponsor Recognition Elevated
Special Olympics Alaska knew that strong sponsor partnerships were vital to the gala’s success – not just for funding, but for visibility and community engagement. With OneCause, sponsor recognition became a seamless and strategic part of the event.
OneCause made it easy to:
- Highlight logos prominently on the event site
- Acknowledge sponsors during high-traffic moments
- Drive brand visibility in front of an enthusiastic, aligned audience
“Buy Your Medal” Wall Sold Out in 30 Minutes
To celebrate the spirit of the Special Olympics, the team introduced a new creative activation: the “Buy Your Medal” wall. Using the fixed-price feature, guests could purchase a recognition medal.
- Each medal represented victory, inclusion, and mission impact
- Every purchase supported the athletes and their dreams
- The wall sold out in just 30 minutes
“It was a hit. People lined up for it! And it was all powered through OneCause,” shared Jessica.
Fun, fast, and mission-forward, the medal wall was a storytelling moment that gave donors a tangible way to “win” while giving.
Mobile Bidding = Record-Breaking Silent Auction
OneCause helped transform the organization’s auction into a record-breaking success.
- Guests scanned a QR code, placed bids, and socialized – all without missing a beat
- No clipboards, no confusion – just intuitive, mobile-friendly giving
- Raised over $50,000 – their most successful auction to date
This frictionless experience gave guests the freedom to engage and support the mission on their own terms and it paid off in a big way.
Real-Time Text Messaging Drives Momentum
Special Olympic Alaska knew that engaging, timely communication was essential to their success. Throughout the event, the team leveraged the OneCause text messaging to:
- Send live updates and reminders
- Highlight auction items and giving opportunities
- Keep the audience energized and informed
This feature helped maintain flow, focus, and engagement all night long – especially during the most mission-critical giving moments.
Donor Experience that Drives Retention
By using OneCause to deliver a thoughtful, mission-centered, and guest-friendly experience, Special Olympics Alaska didn’t just raise more money, they built deeper, lasting relationships with donors.
The Platform helped:
- Convert first-time attendees into first-time donors
- Boost retention through thoughtful follow-up
- Ensure every guest left feeling valued and inspired
Results
What began as a night of fundraising became a night of transformation.
- $300,000 raised — surpassing the $207,000 goal by 45%
- Cash call nearly doubled previous years, thanks to the live thermometer updates
- Fixed-price “Buy Your Medal” sold out in 30 minutes
- Silent auction topped $50,000, the highest ever
- 300+ guests engaged and inspired
- Glowing guest feedback: “Best gala in Anchorage”
Advice for Nonprofits
Jessica and the Special Olympics Alaska team shared these key takeaways:
- Don’t be afraid to try something new.
The thermometer, the medal wall, the platform, it was all new, and it all worked. - Who’s in the room matters.
The right guests, supporters, and advocates can transform a good night into a record-breaking one. - Lean on the professionals.
OneCause and its expert support made the difference.
Special Olympics Alaska combined mission, momentum, and modern tools to create an unforgettable gala that exceeded every goal.
“This was the best event we’ve ever had. And with OneCause, we’re just getting started. Now that we know the tools and how to use them, next year is going to be even better. We want to elevate every touchpoint just like we elevated our giving,” commented Jessica.
Inclusion, empowerment, connection — that’s what Special Olympics Alaska stands for. With OneCause, they turned that mission into an unforgettable guest experience that inspired action, generosity, and joy.
Connect with A Cause
To learn more about the Special Olympics Alaska, please visit their website.
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