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Seattle's Union Gospel Mission is a non-profit that serves Seattle's homeless population, the third highest homeless population in the U.S. The organization meets critical needs with emergency shelter and daily food deliveries, and provides long-term programs that address the root causes of homelessness: cycles of addiction, mental illness, and poverty.
Catalyst is a fundraising event designed to galvanize major and mid-level donors by creating an engaging and transformative experience–encouraging donations to support annual programming. The gala is a chief pillar in the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. 2024’s event aimed to raise $1 million.
To accomplish this, we developed an innovative and immersive art gallery experience titled “Visible.” Through art installations, “Visible” showcased the journey of Seattle's unhoused community, underscored their stories, and highlighted the Mission's impact on their path out of homelessness. The gallery featured objects, artwork, letters, and artifacts representative of individuals who had lost everything to homelessness or addiction, alongside "Catalyst moments" from Mission graduates — defining moments in their lives that changed their path.
The interactive element enabled guests to understand on a more intimate level how homeless neighbors became invisible and addressed how they can help lost neighbors find their way through homelessness.
The innovative art installation personalized the subject of homelessness and demonstrated the tangible impact of donor contributions. The event connected attendees deeply with the Mission's bold vision of addressing the root causes of homelessness and their integral role in providing services to support the unhoused community.
By engaging donors on a personal and emotional level Catalyst 2024, garnered record donations of $1.3 million, an 18% increase from Catalyst’s 2023 event. To measure the gala’s performance, a post-event survey was disseminated, in which the live gallery installation was noted as the most meaningful experience for guests who attended Catalyst 2024.
Nomination Title: Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission - Catalyst 2024 Fundraiser
