Your Nonprofit Benefit Auctioneer and Gala Emcee in Madison, WI
You have one night to tell your story. Let’s make it your best one yet.
I’m Geoffrey Sandler, a certified Benefit Auctioneer Specialist. I help Wisconsin nonprofits plan their fundraising galas, then I take the mic and get your guests raising their paddles for your cause.
or call me at (608) 233-5822
$5.5 million+
raised for nonprofits in 2026 alone, with more events still to come
400+
fundraising events in nearly 20 years
38
fundraising events in 2026
Tens of millions
raised for nonprofits since I started
Certified Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS), National Auctioneers Association
More than a guy with a great voice
A great gala doesn’t happen by luck. It happens by experience and design. Most auctioneers show up on event night, sell the items and go home. I like to get involved much earlier than that.
I join your planning committee and help with the decisions that shape the night, from the timeline to the seating chart. Then, on event night, I read the room, tell your story and guide your guests, gently but with purpose, toward giving more than they planned to. It’s fun, it’s heartfelt, and it works.
How I work with your committee
Step 1: Before the event, I’m part of your team
I join your planning committee and add ideas wherever they help, including:
- The timeline and run of show: when dinner lands, when the program starts, and when the room is ready to give.
- The live auction lineup: which items go first, which go last, and why it matters.
- Raffle and silent auction items: what to offer so guests actually bid.
- Sponsors: ideas for bringing them in and recognizing them on the night.
- Seating: who sits where can change how the room gives.
- Every other decision along the way. If it touches the night, I’m happy to weigh in.
Step 2: Event night, I bring the room to its feet (and its paddles up)
- I emcee the program and make the announcements so the night flows and stays on time.
- I run your live auction, keeping the energy high and the bids climbing.
- I lead your paddle raise / fund-a-need, telling your story so guests feel why their gift matters.
- I read the room all night and adjust in the moment. That’s where my 40+ years behind a DJ booth and on stage pay off.
Step 3: After the event
I celebrate your results with you, and I’m always happy to talk through what worked so next year’s event can do even better.
Emcee + auctioneer, or auctioneer only
| Emcee + Benefit Auctioneer | Benefit Auctioneer only |
|---|---|
| Best when you want one voice guiding the whole night. | Best when a TV personality, board member or other host is already emceeing. |
| I join your planning committee | I join your planning committee |
| I host the full program and make every announcement | Your emcee hosts the program; I work with them on the hand-offs |
| I run the live auction | I run the live auction |
| I lead the paddle raise / fund-a-need | I lead the paddle raise / fund-a-need |
| One person keeps the timeline, energy and story on track all night | Your host keeps the spotlight; I bring the fundraising know-how |
Every event is different, so contact me for a quote.
It started the night the auctioneer didn’t show
Nearly 20 years ago I was the DJ at my daughter Jenna’s school auction at Blessed Sacrament Elementary. Then the auctioneer didn’t show up. The committee asked me what to do, and I said, “Well… I’ll try it.” The school had its best year ever, my wife Karen’s jaw hit the floor, and three moms asked me to do their auctions before I’d even packed up.
My Grandpa Jack always told us to “leave the campground better than you found it.” Helping your cause have its best night ever is how I try to do just that.
Don’t just take my word for it
Over $24,000 in the open appeal
“That was the best our live auction has ever been with the Hamel Family Wines stay going for over two times more than its previous best and the Fly Fishing trip going for almost $3,000! To top it all off, you were incredible with the whole open appeal, which totaled just over $24,000.”
Ryan Kelly, Clean Wisconsin
Biggest Dogtoberfest ever, over $28,000
“We raised over $28,000 for animals in need, making this our biggest Dogtoberfest ever!”
Ash, DCHS
A record paddle raise
“The event was just fabulous, and we raised a record amount in our ‘Raise the Paddle.’”
Abby, Preschool of the Arts
The whole program, not just the auction
“He takes care of not only our auction, but the entire program making sure things run seamlessly, on-time and with the utmost professionalism. Geoffrey is the BEST!”
Sandy, Gilda’s Club Madison
Working the crowd
“You were instrumental in propelling forward lots of donations and pledges for WYSO. Loved the way you worked the crowd by walking on the floor and encouraging bids and working up enthusiasm.”
Andrée, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra
Nonprofits I’ve been proud to stand up for
- Clean Wisconsin
- Gilda’s Club Madison
- Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO)
- Preschool of the Arts
- Dane County Humane Society
- Centro Hispano of Dane County
[Geoffrey to confirm: permission to show these names and logos, and any bigger or newer clients to add.]
Questions nonprofits ask me
What does a benefit auctioneer do?
A benefit auctioneer runs the live auction and the paddle raise (also called fund-a-need) at a fundraising event. The goal isn’t just to sell items. It’s to tell your story so guests give generously. I also join your planning committee before the event so the whole night is set up to raise more.
What is a fund-a-need or paddle raise?
It’s the moment in the program when guests give directly to your mission, no item attached, by raising their bid paddles at different giving levels. I tell your story and guide the room through it, gently but with purpose. Preschool of the Arts raised a record amount in their “Raise the Paddle,” and Clean Wisconsin’s open appeal totaled just over $24,000.
Do you only run the auction, or can you emcee too?
Both. I can emcee the whole night and be your benefit auctioneer, or, if you already have a TV personality or board member hosting, I’ll handle just the live auction and paddle raise.
When should we bring you in?
The earlier the better. I join your planning committee and help with the timeline, run of show, auction order, raffle and silent auction items, sponsors and seating. Most nonprofits book me 12 to 18 months ahead, but it’s never too late to ask, even if your event is coming up soon.
What are your credentials?
I’m a certified Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) through the National Auctioneers Association. I’ve done more than 400 fundraising events in nearly 20 years, and I bring 40+ years of DJ and emcee experience, plus theater training from growing up. I’m the current president of NACE Madison (National Association for Catering and Events), and I’m fully insured.
How much does it cost?
Every event is different. Contact me for a quote, and I’ll put together one that fits your event.
Where do you work?
I’m based in Madison and I’ll travel wherever your event is. I’ve done events from Chicago to Texas. A small travel fee applies outside the Madison, Wisconsin Dells and Janesville area.
Let’s make this your best year yet
Tell me about your cause and your event. I’d love to hear your story, and help you share it.
(608) 233-5822 · geoffrey@voiceofgeoffrey.com