Nonprofit Success Spotlight: Center for Developmentally Disabled

The best fundraising events give people a reason to feel connected to something bigger than the evening itself. At Pinstripes & Pearls, CDD created those moments through a mix of celebration, storytelling, and opportunities to give.

Guests moved through a full evening of:

• Cocktail hour and silent auction
• Plated dinner and program
• Live auction
• Raffles and interactive games
• Speakeasy-style after-party

The result was an evening that felt celebratory while keeping CDD's mission close to the heart of the event. Supporters had opportunities to learn about the organization's work, spend time with the community around it, and contribute in different ways.

Bringing the People Behind the Mission Into the Room

One of the most meaningful aspects of Pinstripes & Pearls was inviting individuals with developmental disabilities served by CDD to take part in the evening alongside supporters. 

Their participation in the event gave guests an opportunity to meet and celebrate the people at the heart of CDD's mission.

“Seeing them attend, engage, and truly enjoy the evening alongside our supporters was a powerful reminder of why this work matters,” Hilary shared.

Having the people at the heart of CDD's mission in the room made the evening feel personal, turning the celebration into a shared experience between the organization, its supporters, and the community it serves.

When it comes to fundraising events, building a strong revenue stream starts with offering donors more than one way to give. 

Not every guest will want to bid in a live auction, and not every supporter will engage with a silent auction. 

Creating multiple giving moments allows an organization to meet donors where they are while keeping participation and energy moving throughout the event.

CDD built Pinstripes & Pearls around that idea, incorporating several fundraising formats across the evening:

• Silent auction — Gave guests an opportunity to browse and bid throughout cocktail hour
• Live auction — Created a more dynamic fundraising moment during dinner
• Raffles — Added another accessible way for guests to participate
• Interactive games — Brought additional energy and engagement to the evening
• Fund-A-Need — Gave supporters a direct opportunity to support a specific area of CDD's work

The Fund-A-Need alone generated $72,300 for CDD's nursing program, giving guests a direct opportunity to support an important area of the organization's work. 

By connecting a fundraising moment to a tangible need, CDD gave donors a clearer understanding of what their generosity could make possible. At the same time, the variety of formats allowed guests to participate in ways that suited them, helping maintain engagement throughout the evening.

CDD had worked with other consignment companies in the past, but was often limited to smaller, two-person stays. For Pinstripes & Pearls, CDD was looking beyond a standard travel lineup. 

The goal was to offer experiences that reflected the different ways their donors like to travel, gather, and spend time together.

A couple looking for a getaway may have very different priorities from a family planning a vacation or a group of friends looking for a shared experience. 

By partnering with LuxGive, CDD gained access to a broader collection of high-end experiences, from private homes and villas to traditional hotel and resort stays, with options designed for both smaller groups and larger gatherings. 

That flexibility gave the organization more freedom to build an auction lineup around the interests of its donors—and ultimately generate more than $13,500 through consignment experiences.

A Diverse Lineup, From Tuscany to Whitefish

The six packages sold at Pinstripes & Pearls reflected a range of experiences:

• Tuscan Beauty — 2 sold: A bucket-list European getaway
• Whitefish Wanderlust — 2 sold: A luxury ski escape
• Willamette Wine Retreat — 1 sold: A domestic wine experience
• Private Chef Soirée — 1 sold: A private chef experience for six

“Their packages enhanced our auction lineup, attracted a broader range of bidders, and helped increase overall revenue,” Hilary shared.

The addition of a private chef experience shows how that broader offering could also extend beyond travel itself. 

Part of LuxGive’s Moments Collection, it gave donors the option to elevate their evening with a five-star dining experience at home, including a bespoke menu and full preparation and cleanup for six guests.

Turning Strong Demand Into More Winners

The variety of consignment trips gave CDD more opportunities to appeal to different donors, while strong demand for certain experiences meant the same sought-after package could be sold to multiple winners, creating more opportunities to raise funds.

The ability to offer multiple packages also gave CDD more opportunity to build on strong donor interest.

“The ease of working with their team and the ability to offer multiple packages also allowed us to maximize earning potential while creating an exciting and seamless experience for our guests.”

Across the six packages sold, CDD generated $13,500 in fundraising revenue, demonstrating the fundraising potential of giving donors more ways to find an experience that resonates with them.

Every dollar raised at Pinstripes & Pearls helps create greater independence, opportunity, and quality of life for the people CDD serves.

Hilary shared that the funds “directly support programs that empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live more independent, fulfilling lives,” including safe housing, meaningful daily activities, skill-building opportunities, and access to healthcare.

The evening’s $72,300 Fund-A-Need will specifically support CDD’s nursing program, helping ensure individuals receive consistent, high-quality care.

For CDD, the impact extends beyond the funds raised. Having the people at the heart of its mission in the room created a meaningful connection between supporters and the work their generosity makes possible.

Pinstripes & Pearls shows how a thoughtful fundraising strategy can bring mission, community, and giving together in one meaningful evening. 

✅ Give donors multiple ways to participate
Build auctions, raffles, games, and direct giving into your event so supporters can engage in ways that feel natural to them.

✅ Use consignment to build flexibility into your auction
Add high-quality experiences without upfront cost or financial risk, giving your team more freedom to diversify its auction lineup.

✅ Match experiences to your donor audience
Consider how your supporters actually travel and choose experiences that appeal to different interests, group sizes, and lifestyles.

✅ Turn strong demand into more revenue
 When multiple bidders are interested in the same consignment experience, consider selling multiples to create additional winning opportunities and increase fundraising potential.

✅ Bring the people behind your mission into the experience
The communities you serve are at the heart of your mission. Inviting them to participate in your event can help donors form a more personal connection to your cause. 

Pinstripes & Pearls demonstrates how a thoughtful fundraising event can keep supporters engaged while bringing the mission closer to the center of the experience.

By creating multiple ways to participate, offering an auction lineup with something for different types of travelers, and inviting the people CDD serves into the celebration, the organization turned one evening into an opportunity for fundraising, connection, and community.

If you’re planning an upcoming gala or auction, LuxGive helps nonprofits expand their auction strategy with high-end travel experiences designed to give donors more ways to participate and raise more without upfront cost.

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