For more than 35 years, Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE) has empowered Medfield, Massachusetts’ five public schools with the funds they need to go beyond the basics. From innovative classroom technology to cultural enrichment to health and wellness projects, MCPE’s community-driven fundraising ensures every student has access to opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity, and growth.
The Challenge
When MCPE prepared to bring back their signature Fall Ball Gala after a five-year hiatus, they faced a new set of hurdles:
- A rotating board meant much of the institutional memory from past galas was gone
- Limited tools like Eventbrite weren’t flexible enough to handle ticketing, auctions, and donor engagement in one place
- They needed a streamlined system to manage donor records, event logistics, and payments
- Guest experience was paramount, including fast check-ins, easy bidding, and inspiring giving throughout the night
The Solution
MCPE partnered with FrontStream, giving them the technology and hands-on support to ensure success:
- Integrated Platform: Ticket sales, donor data, and auctions managed all in one place
- Mobile Bidding: Guests could bid on items in real time from their phones, with live totals projected on a big screen
- Live Giving: A live donation ask added $10,000+ in minutes
- Onsite Support Team: Four FrontStream staff handled ticketing and technical support, freeing board members to focus on guests
- Top-Tier Customer Service: Ongoing support from FrontStream staff in the lead-up made setup easy for a team of volunteers, not tech experts
The Results
Despite having 200 fewer guests than their last gala, MCPE raised $20,000 more for Medfield schools.
- Exceeded their paddle-up goal, raising $10,000+ in minutes
- Top auction item sold for over $6,500
- Guests engaged in live bidding wars while seeing real-time fundraising progress
- Smooth guest experience with no long lines, thanks to mobile ticketing and checkout
- Board members had the freedom to focus on mission and guest engagement, not logistic
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