Variety the Children’s Charity of Illinois, is one chapter of a national organization that changes the lives of children. Founded by 11 “godfathers” who discovered an abandoned baby girl in their theater, this nonprofit still works closely with movie and theater companies to raise money to support children. Today, Variety helps children with disabilities, and their families, to be active and social, and to gain a sense of belonging in their communities.
Watch our full Nonprofit Spotlight talk with Angeliqe Barthel, Executive Director of Variety Children’s Charity of Illinois and read on for an in depth look at how they use our platform to raise more at their annual events.
Turn Story into Strategy
You’ve seen how Variety increased auction revenue using smart tools like popcorn bidding. Now apply those tactics to your event — launch your auction with built-in features that boost fairness, bidding, and results.
Launch Your Success Story AuctionThe Challenge
Variety hosts two tentpole events each year, a golf outing and an Oscars party gala. Both events include a silent auction to supplement the funds raised from ticket sales. With such great connections in the entertainment industry, some of the special items donated to their cause can cause bidding wars.
For example, one limited edition Barbie was a hot item at a recent event. Speaking from experience, Angelique knows that bidders might get unruly when trying to win a coveted auction item, especially when they know it’s all for a good cause.
The Solution
CharityAuctionsToday’s popcorn bidding feature allows extensions on hot items. This can help ensure that no one snipes an item at the last possible moment with a large amount that their opponents have no time to counter. Additionally, this extension in bid time helps drive bidding even higher than it might have, earning more money for a great cause. This emphasis on fairness and boost to items’ bottom line is why this is one of Variety’s favorite CharityAuctionsToday features.
The Results
Variety the Children’s Charity of Illinois has been a CharityAuctionsToday customer since 2018. With the help of our platform their silent auctions raise an average of $1,081 per auction, and the total amount raised via auctions for Illinois kids with disabilities is $15,143.
Annually, these funds help Variety the Children’s Charity of Illinois to support more than 2,500 children. Variety provides specialized bicycles, wheelchairs, and adaptive technology as well as to attend fun events with sensory and other accommodations.
And that Barbie doll? It started out with an estimated value of $25: with the help of our popcorn bidding, it sold for $500.
Good Advice
Tom asked Angelique, “How do you keep your 'rolodex' of sponsors and donors up to date?”
“As far as keeping our sponsorships and donors relevant and current…there’s no secret sauce to that other than typical stewardship, staying in touch, doing the thank yous, making sure that the people who donate are on your monthly newsletter…and occasionally doing that ask if you haven’t gotten a donation in awhile, make sure than you’re not asking the wrong person. If you haven’t heard from somebody in a year maybe they have moved on, and you have to make a phone call and see ‘Who IS who I should talk to now?’”
“And that takes a lot of work and that’s [why] in a smaller charity, you need volunteers. Because you can’t do everything by yourself…I try! It doesn’t work. You need a lot of help to keep things like that current.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tqEVSyiGE0
Thank you Angelique and Variety Children’s Charity of Illinois! We love hearing about the good you do for Illinois children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Variety – the Children’s Charity of Illinois?
Variety – the Children’s Charity of Illinois supports children with disabilities and their families through programs that increase mobility, independence, and inclusion across the state.
What does this case study highlight about their fundraising events?
It showcases how the team streamlined ticketing, check-in, silent auction bidding, and Fund-a-Need moments to raise more with fewer bottlenecks and a better guest experience.
What were the main goals for the featured event(s)?
- Increase net revenue for mobility and inclusion programs.
- Make check-in/checkout faster and more accessible.
- Engage remote supporters alongside in-room guests.
What challenges were they trying to solve before adopting modern auction tools?
- Long lines at check-in and manual bid sheets.
- Outbid alerts that arrived too slowly or not at all.
- Time-consuming reconciliation after the event.
Why did they lean into mobile bidding for the silent auction?
Mobile bidding let guests scan a QR to register, watch items, receive instant outbid alerts, and bid from anywhere—keeping momentum high without crowding tables.
Which software features made the biggest difference for results and experience?
- Online ticketing and pre-registration with card on file.
- Outbid SMS/push alerts and watchlists for favorite items.
- Fund-a-Need levels with real-time progress displays.
- Extended bidding at close to prevent last-second snipes.
How did the event design reflect Variety’s focus on accessibility and inclusion?
- Mobile-first pages with readable fonts and clear buttons.
- Wide aisles and seating plans that accommodated mobility devices.
- Concise instructions and volunteer “tech buddies” for guests.
What kinds of auction items performed well for this audience?
- Experiences (dining, concerts, sports, unique tours).
- Family-friendly packages and local getaways.
- Curated bundles (gift cards + merch + VIP perks).
How did the Fund-a-Need (paddle raise) component support the mission directly?
Donation levels were tied to tangible outcomes (e.g., equipment, therapies). A live total on screen and simple mobile checkout encouraged quick, mission-first gifts.
Did big board or leaderboard displays help raise more in the room?
Yes—rotating slides for hot items, Fund-a-Need progress, and countdowns drew attention, nudging guests to bid again and celebrate milestones together.
How were remote supporters included alongside in-person guests?
Online bidding opened early, links were shareable, and extended bidding ensured fair closes for off-site participants. Clear pickup/shipping info was posted on item pages.
What reduced lines at check-in and checkout the most on event night?
- Self check-in via QR and pre-event registration.
- Card-on-file and self-checkout from guests’ phones.
- Instant digital receipts with FMV details and pickup steps.
How were sponsors showcased to maximize recognition and underwriting support?
- Logos on the event page, leaderboards, and email templates.
- Sponsored item categories and “matching hour” callouts.
- Thank-you slides and social shout-outs post-event.
What reporting and data practices simplified post-event follow-up?
Clean exports of donors, bids, purchases, FMV, and payment IDs supported fast acknowledgments, CRM updates, and board-ready summaries without manual re-entry.
How did the team thank donors and keep them engaged after the event?
- 48-hour thank-you messages with photos and quick impact notes.
- Segmented follow-ups for winners, donors, and sponsors.
- Invites to future events and opportunities to give monthly.
How were receipts and FMV handled for tax purposes? (General information)
Receipts included purchase amounts and FMV where applicable so supporters could determine any charitable portion. Guidance varies; supporters should consult a tax professional. This is general information, not tax advice.
What volunteer roles made the night run smoothly with the software in place?
- Greeters for QR check-in and seat finding.
- “Bidding coaches” to help guests join and star items.
- Checkout/pickup crew to verify items and thank winners.
What key lessons can other nonprofits apply from this case study?
- Open online bidding early and promote watchlists.
- Use extended bidding and close in waves to keep energy high.
- Tie Fund-a-Need levels to clear, tangible outcomes.
- Prep pickup logistics and donor follow-ups before doors open.
How were shipping and pickup handled for winners efficiently and fairly?
Each item page listed pickup times, location, and any shipping costs or restrictions. Winners received automatic instructions in their receipts for a smooth handoff.
What was the overall impact of adopting a modern auction and event workflow?
A cleaner guest journey, more inclusive participation, and faster admin work—freeing staff and volunteers to focus on storytelling, stewardship, and the children and families Variety serves.
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