Case Study: Simon's Heart raises $250K in one evening with Sequel

Simon's Heart braves donation season and raises $250K in one evening with a fully virtual gala

Simon’s Heart, a nonprofit focused on preventing sudden cardiac arrest in children, needed to move its annual fundraising gala, Simon’s Soiree, online for the first time. Facing concerns that a virtual event might not generate the same level of donor engagement as an in-person gathering, the organization partnered with Sequel and used its live event modules to create a fully virtual experience on Simon’s Heart’s website.

Sequel implemented a virtual gala using its Hybrid Stage and Networking Hub, embedded on simonsheart.org and integrated with WordPress. The event featured presentations, guest appearances, networking, and even a concert-style after party, helping Simon’s Heart raise more than $250K in one evening—double expectations and on par with previous in-person galas.

Simon's Heart

Jennifer Parrado

Executive Director