Classy Live Helps ACE’s 15th-Annual Hybrid Gala Grow by ~200% YoY
Mission
Assist African refugee and immigrant youth and families in achieving educational and social stability through access to academic support, leadership development, cultural expression, and community outreach
Challenge
Grow an annual gala with a cohesive and simple-to-run hybrid experience
Solution
With Classy Live, ACE engaged with supporters and attendees in-person and virtually
“We want to engage folks with as many ways to support us as possible. Classy Live lets you do that in ways our donors respond to. We held a raffle and sold a variety of fixed-priced items with a simple self-check-out process.”
– Tim O’Neil, Director of Development
Annual Gala Revenue Growth:
$60,000
raised in 2019
$67,500
raised in 2020
$204,700
raised in 2021
An Annual Gala Turned Hybrid
ACE didn’t let the pandemic slow down the growth of their annual gala, an incredible experience for their students and supporters to see their impact first-hand. In 2020, they brought the gala virtual for the first time in 14 years with Classy. By 2021, they enhanced it again with the launch of Classy Live to host the professional-grade, hybrid, 15th-annual ACE Gala.
Before Classy Live, ACE brought their 100% virtual gala in 2020 to life by pre-recording entertainment, tackling their own production, selling merchandise in a roundabout way, and prompting donations through link-sharing in a hectic chat.
In 2021, the Classy Live online venue gave in-person and virtual attendees access to:
- An agenda with searchable sessions and calendar blocks
- Livestreamed video and music performances
- Information to learn more about ACE
- Direct donations and merchandise sales
- Full features of all sponsors, speakers, and partners
- Links to an authentic African goods raffle
- Real-time donation progress meter
- A simple self-checkout process
Enhancing the ACE Gala With a Classy Live Experience
With Classy Live, ACE was able to partner with a local event space and production company to engage the 75% of attendees still tuning in remotely. The online venue featured high-quality livestreams of the ACE student fashion show, keynote speakers, and music performances. The gala welcomed more overall attendees from various locations with accessible ticket options and a simple-to-navigate, virtual venue.
The 2021 event also focused the fundraising to support a specific program that appealed to more corporate sponsors. That focus, the shift to Classy Live, and the event’s ability to attract a significant major donor led to 203% growth between 2020 and 2021 alone. A successful year on Classy helped ACE reach new heights, including the purchase a new office space to continue growing their programs.
