A Look Back at Spring 2026
We helped raise over $2.6M for nonprofit organizations and their incredible causes through meaningful fundraising events. Here are some of the highlights.
Client: Oregon Food Bank
Event Name: Bloom
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
Our team helped OFB nearly triple on-site fundraising results with a community-centric "love-in-action" approach that gave equal weight to giving, volunteering, and advocacy—all while delivering a mission-driven program our partnership made feel seamless, even in a last-minute leadership gap.
Their mission:
Oregon Food Bank’s mission is to eliminate hunger and its root causes… because no one should be hungry. We cannot end hunger with food alone. That’s why we connect people with food while also working to change the conditions that lead to poverty.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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OFB's on-site fundraising ask nearly tripled this year's results—proof that a well-timed ask, paired with the right program, moves people to give. They also wanted to take a more community-centric fundraising approach, which meant giving, signing up to volunteer, or advocating all had equal weight. We called it “love-in-action,” and for each sign-up or gift, the Love-in-Action Tracker would grow.
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The night carried OFB's mission at every turn. Guests got a taste of advocacy with a “rally” and Q&A section that brought that mission to life in real time, while we stage-managed as OFB's speakers delivered remarks that built beautifully toward the night's momentum. Performances added depth and range to the program.
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Guests moved easily between spaces, and small touches, like the partner tables guests could visit and the Build Your Bouquet activity with Darling Dahlia Floral, gave the night moments of real meaning that guests could carry home with them, literally.
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We supported OFB's team every step of the way, and it showed. We helped train and manage volunteers, and OFB's staff and volunteers brought incredible energy on-site, jumping in wherever needed.
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Our partnership was so strong, in fact, that when the project management lead had to miss the event for a family emergency, TFE Co. kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes and held down the event site so she could step away. That kind of trust and collaboration is exactly the partnership we aim for.
Photo credit: Jaime Valdez Photography
Client: Centro
Event: Gala de Cultura
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
We helped Centro's gala surpass fundraising targets and deliver a celebratory, culturally immersive event—from an all-Spanish video to a decade-long goal of a sub-two-hour program.
Their mission:
Centro empowers Latino families and diverse communities by removing barriers, fostering well-being, and building power to achieve economic prosperity.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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Impact and joy went hand in hand at this year's Centro gala, and we're proud of the role we played in getting there. We helped shape a nonprofit fundraising strategy that hit Centro's $1K matching gift goal, and when Centro brought back two co-Presenting Sponsors, we helped them design the strategic partnership and craft language for mission-aligned live auction packages that averaged nearly 30% more raised per package than originally budgeted.
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We coordinated vendors to weave Centro's logo colors throughout the room—right down to the centerpieces—so the space reflected the richness of the Latino cultures they serve. We also stage-managed the speakers and performances, including a mission-aligned surprise with vocalist Miriam Lopez and the Forest Grove Mariachi Band, who closed the night with a cover of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."
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On the program side, we designed the stage program to run under two hours—a goal Centro has had since year one—so guests got both meaning and celebration without losing after-party time. We also worked closely with videographer Valadrian Creative to help bring Centro's story to life, including a fully Spanish-language org video.
Photo credit: Jaime Valdez Photography
Client: Volunteers of America Oregon
Event: From Past to Possibility: Community Changemakers
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
Our team helped VOA Oregon exceed sponsorship and giving goals despite lower attendance, blending flawless day-of problem-solving (hello, surprise rain!) with a heartfelt program that built a lasting connection to the mission.
Their mission:
VOA Oregon enhances lives by promoting self-determination, building strong communities, and standing for social justice. They support individuals and families as they heal from addiction, violence, and poverty.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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With this nonprofit fundraising event, we helped VOA Oregon build a culture of support that extends well beyond the event itself, so guests felt connected to the mission long before and after they walked through the door.
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Sponsorship was a standout win for VOA Oregon this year, and giving came in strong, even with fewer guests than anticipated. It's proof that a well-designed night can move people to give generously, no matter the headcount.
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On the day of, we stayed a step ahead of the details: when rain moved in unexpectedly, our team added extra coat racks on the spot to keep guests comfortable and registration moving smoothly.
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We also worked closely with the emcee to keep the program's momentum strong from start to finish. One of our favorite moments of the spring came during the land acknowledgment, a genuinely touching, personal moment that set the tone for the rest of the night.
Photo credit: Andie Petkus
Client: YWCA Clark County
Event: Shine
Service Provided: Custom Event Production
Our team helped YWCA Clark County's Shine gala nearly double its matching gift goal (77 gifts vs. a target of 40) while delivering a dazzling, on-brand guest experience—complete with 360° cameras, sequins, and a program that kept the room fully engaged all night.
Their mission:
YWCA Clark County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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Fundraising was electric in the room at YWCA Clark County's Shine gala with several matching gifts that kept that momentum going strong. YWCA Clark County EXCEEDED their double match goal at the $250 level. This was an exciting nonprofit fundraising strategy to watch in real time: We started with a goal of 40 gifts and ended up with 77!
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We also saw firsthand how their year-round marketing strategy paid off, driving real growth in sponsorship support and community excitement long before guests arrived.
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We helped bring Shine's vision to life as a true destination event. From 360° cameras that gave guests their own moment to shine on social media to sequins and sparkles woven into every corner of the room, we made sure the night matched the energy of its name. We also matched the right voices to the moment: a charity auctioneer (Alix Zimmermann) who was calm, fun, and worked the room with precision, paired with an energetic, engaging emcee and a teleprompter-supported ED speech that landed with real power.
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The result was a program that kept guests fully engaged from start to finish, where everyone felt like they belonged. Bearing witness to that kind of connection is exactly why we do this work.
Photo credit: Naim Hasan Photography
Client: Portland Center Stage
Event: 2026 Theatre Lovers' Bash
Service Provided: Day-of-Event Registration
We helped Portland Center Stage cut check-in wait times from 30 minutes to about 4, turning guest arrival into a seamless start to the night instead of a bottleneck.
Their mission:
Portland Center Stage’s mission is to create transcendent theatrical experiences and community programs that break down the barriers separating people.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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With our new day-of service offerings, we helped Portland Center Stage cut check-in wait times from 30 minutes down to about 4 so guests could skip the line and get straight to enjoying the night.
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A smooth guest experience like that doesn't happen by accident. It takes organizing your guest database ahead of time, managing live check-in and data entry, and handling the details so your team can focus on what matters most: welcoming your community.
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Because first impressions matter, we wanted PCS to give their guests the warmest welcome possible. We know that starts with being organized, which is right in our wheelhouse!
Photo credit: n/a TFE Co. captured
Client: Potlatch Fund
Event: Potlatch Makes Possible
Service Provided: Custom Event Production
We helped Potlatch Fund reimagine their flagship fundraising event, Potlatch Makes Possible, as a regionally focused gathering that helps build relationships. With Native artists, Indigenous catering, and every detail rooted in culture and mission, we helped bring this gathering to life and channel funding back into Native-led organizations.
Their mission:
Potlatch Fund empowers Native communities through the cultural tradition of giving.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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With customized fundraising event production support, we helped Potlatch Fund reimagine their 2025 flagship event, Potlatch Makes Possible, as a smaller, regionally-focused gathering for a new location and a new community of donors and supporters. The goal: host the event closer to regional supporters and create a space of genuine connection—one that drives real funding back into the Native community.
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The event featured Native artists and an Indigenous catering team, with every detail designed to elevate Potlatch Fund's mission of investing in and uplifting Native-led organizations. It's a great example of how a custom-built, community-centered fundraising event can meet donors where they are while staying deeply rooted in mission and culture.
Photo credit: Moonlight Media
Client: Community Action
Event: Kaleidoscope
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
Our team helped Community Action's Kaleidoscope event exceed sponsorship goals at every giving level while crafting speeches and a stage program so authentic and impactful that even the board took notice.
Their mission:
Community Action leads the way in eliminating conditions of poverty and creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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Community Action's Kaleidoscope fundraising event met its sponsorship goals this year, growing new partnerships while retaining existing ones, and hit or exceeded budgeted goals at every top giving level.
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A matching gift opportunity also inspired a wave of donors to stretch up to the $1K level—proof that the right ask at the right moment moves people to give more than they planned.
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Our team helped with speechwriting and stage program scripting, bringing intentional structure and a thematic thread to the entire program and giving each speaker room to be authentic. The trust between teams made this year's speech especially impactful, allowing for a version that went deeper than ever before (even the board took notice of the quality of storytelling!).
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We also loved seeing Community Action's theatre-style event setup work exactly as intended: built-in audience attention that let the whole room stay engaged. The reception buzzed with deep, meaningful conversation—Kaleidoscope has become a true incubator for community connection, and that energy carried through the entire night.
Photo credit: Andie Petkus Photography
Client: Bridges Middle School
Event: Bridges’ S.O.A.R. Soirée – Strengthening Our Aspirations & Resources
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
Our team helped Bridges' S.O.A.R. Soirée hit its $1K match goal with a donor-favorite trip incentive, while a flexible venue, custom theming, and a heartfelt program—alum emcee included—brought the night's mission to life for families of neurodivergent children.
Their mission:
Bridges Middle School’s mission is to provide a safe and enriching academic and social environment where students with learning differences can explore their role in the world as learners and members of the community.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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We helped Bridges hit their $1K match goal at this year's S.O.A.R. Soirée, using a donor-favorite trip incentive to drive engagement and get guests fully invested in the ask. Auctioneer and incentive were the perfect pairing—the kind of nonprofit fundraising strategy that turns a good night into a great one.
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We found a venue with a setup built for flexibility, with varied table sizes that never felt sparse with a smaller guest count, but could just as easily flex for a bigger crowd. The uplifting, fun event theme came to life through custom event graphics and a photo booth from Alegría Photo Booth, perfectly capturing the spirit of Bridges' new building and everything it makes possible.
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We were honored to coach this year's emcee, a middle school alum, in developing his remarks and delivering them with confidence the night of the event. His storytelling gave the program real heart, and it flowed seamlessly from moment to moment, including a Heads or Tails engagement activity that kept guests entertained while the kitchen got food to the tables.
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What stood out most this year was how deeply Bridges' values showed up in every detail. The team—Beven, Mike, Shona, and Hudson—centered Hudson's experience with care throughout the video filming and his time at the event, and that same kindness echoed through the event program itself. Families of neurodivergent children saw their own lives reflected in the emcee, the special appeal story, and the speakers, giving them a real, tangible sense of what's possible.
Photo credit: Jaime Valdez Photography
Client: WorldOregon
Event: Bridge Together
Services Provided: Full-Service Event Production
We helped turn years of donor cultivation into standout special appeal giving, pairing an interactive auctioneer with budget-savvy, weeknight-friendly event design that kept guests connected all evening.
Their mission:
WorldOregon’s mission is to broaden and deepen public awareness, engagement, and understanding of international affairs, engaging Oregonians with the world—and with each other.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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We leaned into the importance of individual donors in our storytelling this year, and the special appeal giving reflected that support. It was the perfect culmination of years of donor cultivation and stewardship.
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Their benefit auctioneer made giving super interactive and engaging, literally “working the room” by jumping off the stage and moving up and down the aisles.
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We took advantage of the sunny weather and rented the patio space as well, helping keep the lobby from feeling too crowded and giving folks ample space to connect with each other.
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We kept the budget low by serving lots of appetizers during the reception only and hosting the program in the theater for focused attention—perfect for a weeknight event.
Photo credit: Tom Cook Photography
Client: DoveLewis
Event: Wet Nose Soirée
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
We helped DoveLewis make their post-hiatus comeback unforgettable, with mission-aligned auction packages, heartfelt storytelling, and interactive moments that kept guests engaged until the lights came on.
Their mission:
DoveLewis was originally founded to support local veterinarians and animals in need of emergency care and now treats nearly 30,000 animals each year. The mission is to care for every animal and every person who cares for them. Always.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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DoveLewis's donors came ready to bid this year, and the live auction proved it. Mission-aligned packages sold well, with party-in-a-box bundles, cocktail rounds, a chance to meet Patsy the chicken, and international trips—something they learned the donors were interested in bidding on before the event.
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Even with a two-year fundraising event hiatus, the room showed real fundraising capacity, carrying strong support through both the benefit auction and the special appeal.
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Every speaker brought a personal DoveLewis story, photos included—humanizing the mission and drawing supporters in closer. Even the Development Director delivered sponsor thanks, highlighting personal relationships with each sponsor to make the moment feel genuine.
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During the reception, there were plenty of interactive opportunities, including a photo with llamas and wine tasting with longtime partners.
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And maybe the best sign of the night: guests lingered in the Grand Ballroom until the lights came on, simply enjoying being together.
Photo credit: Andie Petkus Photography
Client: Oregon Community Foundation
Event: OCF Annual Meeting
Service Provided: Vendor Coordination & Day-of-Event Support
We joined as an extension of the OCF team, handling vendor coordination and day-of logistics. That support gave their team the freedom to step out of event mode and be fully present for the people and mission they were there to celebrate.
Their mission:
Oregon Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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We had everything handled before the fundraising event even started so OCF could walk in with total peace of mind.
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We became part of their team, taking on a specific role like it was our own so the OCF team could focus on connections and building relationships.
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On event day, we ran guest registration so their team didn’t have to. They were able to set logistics aside and actually enjoy the event they built!
Photo credit: n/a TFE Co. captured
Client: Educational Opportunities for Children and Families
Event: Color their Worlds EOCF Gala & Auction
Service Provided: Day-of-Event Registration
We stepped in to organize guest data ahead of time and run the entire registration check-in process on event day, freeing EOCF's team to focus on what needed their attention most. From training volunteers to managing sales entry, we made sure the details were handled so the night could run smoothly from check-in to checkout.
Their mission:
Educational Opportunities for Children and Families’ mission is to connect, empower, and transform the lives of children and families.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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We organized guest data ahead of time, so everything was ready to go before doors even opened.
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We ran check-in and registration day-of, freeing up their team to handle urgent needs as they came up.
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We trained their volunteers so everyone felt confident and ready to jump in.
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We managed day-of sales entry (charity auction, paddle raise, dessert dash), which streamlined reconciliation, made checkout smooth, and kept post-event reports clean and ready to go.
Photo credit: n/a TFE Co. captured
Client: Home Building Foundation
Event: Building Hope Gala
Service Provided: Full-Service Event Production
We helped HBF spark a shift toward a true culture of giving, with an engaged auction strategy, a lively-yet-comfortable venue layout, and a seamless program flow guests could feel from start to finish.
Their mission:
Home Building Foundation’s mission is to build shelter for people experiencing homelessness and provide educational and training opportunities for people interested in careers in the home building industry. We believe that every individual has worth, and that shelter is a necessity of life.
How The Fundraising Event Company Helped:
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HBF's event built real fundraising momentum this year, with the special appeal generating strong energy and early signs of a shift from transactional giving toward a true culture of donating. Dale, the benefit auctioneer, proved to be a perfect fit.
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HBF’s choice to ask Dale to lead the sponsor thanks at the top of the program let guests cheer for their sponsors before settling in (it was a move we loved so much, we're bringing it to every event going forward, since it frees up more room for storytelling later on).
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We found a venue layout that struck the right balance between full and lively, never cramped or crowded. Two bars eliminated lines entirely, and giving guests table time for dinner before the program started meant less filler talk and a more natural transition to their seats.
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We helped craft the fundraising strategy behind the night's momentum, working closely with Dale on a benefit auction strategy that kept the room engaged and giving. We also managed the venue relationship to bring this layout and flow to life, then developed the run of show and stage-managed speakers to keep the program feeling seamless from start to finish.
Photo credit: Andrea Lonas
