Case Study: HEADstrong Foundation raises $349,875 and cuts event costs by 60% with Classy

How the HEADstrong Foundation Livestreamed Their Virtual Gala and Raised $350,000

HEADstrong Foundation’s 10th-annual Limelight Gala, originally scheduled for March 20, 2020, had to pivot quickly from an in-person fundraiser to a virtual event due to COVID-19 quarantine orders. The team needed to preserve traditional gala elements and donor engagement while ensuring safety and avoiding technical problems during a live broadcast.

They pre-recorded performances, speeches, and awards, streamed the assembled program on Facebook Live and YouTube Live, and followed it with a 30-minute live DJ set on Instagram TV. Donations were collected via a Classy form linked from the main website and Venmo, supported by email appeals, social promotion, and phone outreach—raising $349,875 (matching 2019) while cutting event costs by 60%.

HEADstrong Foundation