Case Study: Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation raises $450K+ for cath lab renovation with Greater Giving

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Makes Hearts Beat Faster and Breaks Records

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is a community nonprofit that raises funds to support Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. For its 2023 gala, Rhythm of the Nights, the foundation aimed to raise $350,000–$400,000 to renovate a catheterization lab, engaging about 300 attendees and looking to better harness its committed donor base while keeping the hospital’s mission front and center.

The team used the Greater Giving platform for streamlined check-in, sales, silent bidding previews, and a live “Giving Board,” and created multiple mission moments—staff-recorded heartbeats, a patient video and doctor appearance, a “Hearts and Minds” game with light-up necklaces, a live auction, and a Fund‑A‑Need with a live thermometer. These elements drove excitement and collective giving, helping the foundation surpass expectations and raise over $450,000, while staff praised the platform’s ease and organizational features.

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation

Susan Hopkins

Manager of Philanthropy