Gallery: Benefit Auctions and Galas with Geoffrey Sandler

Some of my favorite moments happen when a whole room decides, together, to make a difference. These photos are from benefit auctions and galas I’ve been honored to be part of, and every paddle you see in the air is someone saying “yes” to a cause they care about.

I’m so grateful to the nonprofits who trusted me with their big night, to the generous guests who filled these rooms, and to the talented photographers who captured it all. Thank you for letting me share these moments.

Benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler on the microphone, walking among the tables of a full ballroom at Clean Wisconsin's Epicurean Evening at Monona Terrace in Madison — Epicurean Evening 2024. Photo: Tyra Jade Company, courtesy of Clean Wisconsin

Benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler raises his hand to call for bids, microphone in hand, during the live auction at the Do Good Gala — Do Good Gala 2024. Photo: Crimson Sun Studios

Smiling guests raise bid paddles 201 and 179 during the benefit auction at the Do Good Gala — Do Good Gala 2024. Photo: Crimson Sun Studios

Gala emcee and benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler on the microphone in front of a packed historic hall at the 2024 Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Gala — Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Gala 2024. Photo: Wisconsin Bankers Foundation

Benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler takes bids on the floor as a guest raises a paddle in a full ballroom at Primates Incorporated's Big Swing fundraiser — Big Swing 2025. Photo: Andrew Pederson, courtesy of Primates Inc.

Excited guests raise their bid cards and cheer during the benefit auction at Clean Wisconsin's Epicurean Evening — Epicurean Evening 2024. Photo: Tyra Jade Company, courtesy of Clean Wisconsin

Wide view of a full gala ballroom as benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler presents a live auction item from the stage at the Do Good Gala — Do Good Gala 2024. Photo: Crimson Sun Studios

A lively fundraiser crowd holds up bid cards while auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler, in a red jacket, calls the auction at the Tellurian fundraiser — Tellurian Fundraiser 2023. Photo: jKal Photography

Guests applaud as benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler works the room with a microphone at Clean Wisconsin's Epicurean Evening — Epicurean Evening 2024. Photo: Tyra Jade Company, courtesy of Clean Wisconsin

A guest raises bid paddle 141 during the live auction at the Do Good Gala — Do Good Gala 2024. Photo: Crimson Sun Studios

Benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler at the podium calling a Northwoods cabin live auction item at Primates Incorporated's Big Swing — Big Swing 2025. Photo: Andrew Pederson, courtesy of Primates Inc.

Fundraising auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler in a red jacket on the microphone among guests holding bid cards at the Tellurian fundraiser — Tellurian Fundraiser 2023. Photo: jKal Photography

Gala emcee Geoffrey Sandler smiling on stage with a microphone and bid card at Clean Wisconsin's Epicurean Evening — Epicurean Evening 2024. Photo: Tyra Jade Company, courtesy of Clean Wisconsin

Benefit auctioneer Geoffrey Sandler on the microphone among the guests' tables during the Do Good Gala — Do Good Gala 2024. Photo: Crimson Sun Studios

Photo credits: Crimson Sun Studios (Do Good Gala); Tyra Jade Company, courtesy of Clean Wisconsin (Epicurean Evening); Andrew Pederson, courtesy of Primates Inc. (Big Swing); Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF Gala); jKal Photography (Tellurian). Thank you for your beautiful work.

Let’s make your room feel like this

Every one of these nights started with a conversation about a mission and the people it serves. I’d love to hear yours and help your guests feel the story behind your cause.

Let’s talk about your event