How Medfield Coalition for Public Education Raised $20,000 More with 200 Fewer  Guests

By FrontStream

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
$10,000
Raised in Minutes
$6,500
Top Auction Bid

 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

“Having four FrontStream team members onsite to manage ticket sales and technical support was huge. It let us focus on connecting with our community.”

— Danielle Tata, Vice President, MCPE

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 logistics
Medfield Coalition for Public Education
Medfield Coalition for Public Education

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