With Classy Live, Faith In Practice’s Annual Gala Raised $146k Above Its Goal

Faith In Practice is a medical nonprofit that services the poor and indigenous in Guatemala. The organization works in close partnership with local Guatemalan hospitals and institutions and sends around 40 teams of surgeons and physicians to Guatemala per year. 

The team hands out medicine and vitamins, conducts surgery assessments, and performs surgeries based on individual needs. They provide care to more than 30,000 Guatemalans annually at a level that is not typically available or affordable

Simplified Tools to Power Elevated Fundraising 

Faith In Practice has been using Classy’s fundraising software since 2015. What first drew them in was the peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities. Since then, a partnership has blossomed between the organizations.

Classy is not only easy for the Faith In Practice team to use but also for every volunteer. For each trip to Guatemala, volunteers pay a trip fee that covers their flights, accommodations, and meals. They’re also asked to set up a Classy peer-to-peer fundraising page and to share their mission pages on Facebook.

Each individual rallies their network to donate with a goal of raising $1,500—a huge source of income for the nonprofit.

The Annual Gala Goes Hybrid, Thanks to Classy Live

Every year, Faith In Practice puts on a gala to fundraise and celebrate the achievements of its organization and volunteers. The gala, which is held near Faith In Practice’s headquarters in Houston, TX, gives attendees an opportunity to connect with doctors, volunteers, and friends while supporting a cause close to their hearts.

In 2022, the Faith In Practice gala was hosted through a hybrid environment thanks to Classy’s event software, Classy Live. This new approach allowed supporters who were unable to travel and attend in person to participate despite geographic barriers. The team utilized Classy Live’s features, including:

• Ticketing page where attendees could purchase virtual tickets or tables 
• Messaging and reminders to attendees leading up to the event
• Silent auction where attendees could bid on or buy the available items, like trips and local items from Guatemala
• Text-to-donate which allowed supporters to text a designated keyword, such as “DONATE,” to a provided phone number, triggering an automatic response inviting the supporter to donate through a provided donation form

The gala had 316 in-person attendees and 62 virtual attendees. The fundraising goal for the gala was $800,000, and in the end, the team raised $946,000!

According to the 2023 State of Modern Philanthropy report, the average Classy Live revenue per donor over the course of a year is $1,258. Faith in Practice is thrilled about the potential to steward its event attendees and bring that revenue to fruition. 

Bigger Fundraising Goals Means More Guatemalans Served

 The Faith In Practice team sets its sights even higher for its 2023 gala. They’re focusing on growing the number of virtual attendees by creating pocket watch parties in locations outside of Texas. 

They plan to utilize Classy’s credit card readers at the next gala to streamline the donation process. Plus, Classy Live’s upcoming feature—allowing event admins to make table assignments ahead of the event—will help dramatically reduce day-of stress for the Faith in Practice staff.