After years of uncertainty and disconnection, Immaculate Conception Regional School found itself at a crossroads. This is the story of how one determined school reignited its community’s passion and created an event full of purpose, pride, and over 300 smiling supporters.
Key Takeaways: How Greater Giving Helped ICRS Maximize Their Fundraising Impact
✅ Streamlined operations and centralized information using a strong donor data strategy
✅ Saved hours of manual work through automation
✅ Rebuilt trust and excitement with supporters
✅ Created more profitable auction packages using insights
✅ Achieved a professional, polished experience for donors
The Challenge: Donor Fatigue and Disconnected Supporters Post-Pandemic
After years of pandemic-related disruption, Immaculate Conception Regional School (ICRS) in Mount Vernon, WA, faced a reality many nonprofits know all too well: supporter engagement was down, the donor data strategy was fragmented, and the signature school fundraising auction had lost its spark.
Marketing & Development Director Erin Kohlhaas inherited a donor base and event model struggling to bounce back. Attendance had dwindled. Communication was uncertain. “We didn’t know who was going to show up, how to reach them, or even if people were still interested,” she said.
Without reliable software or central records, Erin was essentially starting from scratch.
The Turning Point: Cloud-Based Fundraising Tools that Put The Donor Data Strategy First
Centralizing Donor Data for Clarity and Control
Erin made a critical decision to partner with Julianne Read of Kilbreath Events and adopt Greater Giving’s all-in-one event management solution.
By consolidating donor and event data into a single CRM, Erin streamlined her efforts and eliminated the guesswork. “Greater Giving is my one source of truth. If I need a phone number or email, it’s coming from there,” she explained.
From supporter profiles to auction item tracking, the platform helped her focus on strategy, not spreadsheets.
Smart Reporting for Smarter Decisions
Greater Giving’s built-in reporting allowed Erin to make informed, strategic calls. “I like the different reports I’m able to get after the event—they’re easy to run, and I know the data is good,” she said.
This visibility gave Erin peace of mind and a professional polish, not just at the event, but in follow-up emails, thank-yous, and donor receipts.
Scaling Smarter: Quality Over Quantity in Auction Planning
Instead of trying to do more, Erin and Julianne chose to do it better.
They reduced the number of live auction items and instead curated high-impact packages, like offering multiple “Principal for a Day” experiences. With historical data guiding her decisions, Erin created a tighter, more profitable offering.
“We looked at our history and said: how do we give people what they want?” Erin said. “That meant keeping things fresh but intentional, and the data made that easy.”
Time Saved. Stress Reduced. Donors Reengaged.
Automation Frees Up Mental Bandwidth
The software streamlined every phase of event execution: entering items, creating packages, assigning tables, and processing admissions.
The real win? Erin got her time back.
Instead of creating individual receipts or scrambling to track payments, Erin could focus on what mattered: engaging with donors and making the night fun.
“Without Greater Giving, I don’t even know how I’d have time to do everything,” she said. “Now, I can actually get excited about the event.”
The Result: From 200 Attendees to Over 300 Supporters Reconnected
By combining cloud-based tech with a strong communication strategy, Erin rebuilt her donor base and re-energized her community.
Attendance jumped from a low of 200 to over 300 enthusiastic guests, which far surpassed expectations.
The energy was palpable. “We knew the crowd was going to be energized just based on our communication ahead of time,” said Erin.
Working with Julianne and using Greater Giving let Erin shift from survival mode to strategic impact.
Ready to Reconnect With Your Donor Community?
If you’re ready to save time, streamline your next event, and inspire donors with a more intentional experience, let’s reconnect. Schedule A Demo
