Keep a Child Alive Generates $116 a Second with IML’s
Real Time “Pledge-inator”
Rewarding good deeds with instant gratification while
simultaneously generating friendly financial competition is the
secret behind $70,000 in additional funding raised in only ten
minutes by Keep a Child Alive (KCA) at its Annual Black Ball hosted
by co-founder Alicia Keys, and honoring President Bill
Clinton, Sir Richard Branson and Youssou N’Dour. Emcee
Queen Latifah shared the impact donations will have on the lives of
the children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India
that Keep a Child Alive serves. The attendees using IML’s
wireless keypad system were able to instantly make pledges, while
an impressive, real-time animated scoreboard provided a tangible
display of the overwhelming generosity of those present. No
paper pledges, no running to the post office, no phone calls
– just immediate assistance and
recognition.
While table donations and the live auction generate the bulk of the
annual event’s income, the benefits of IML’s wireless pledging
system were evident to all, as $70,000 in ten minutes would be
a welcome addition at any fundraising function. Not only
that, but 65% of pledges were $100 or less, meaning that more
people had the opportunity to participate and donate on the spot,
leading to commitment and ownership.
Asked what the main challenges were facing Keep a Child Alive
(KCA), Cheryl Keller, director of donor relations, replied, “Our
system of using envelopes for pledges. Will they take it home?
If they do, will they remember it, will they give? The IML
keypads are an immediate call to action for our guests.”
Discussing the benefits of IML’s pledge system, KCA answered, “We
raised additional funds that we may not have been able to secure
without the immediate response keypads. We also used the
guests’ smartcards, which had the table numbers on the back, as a
ticket for access into the main floor. Following the event,
each guest returned their smartcard in exchange for a gift bag,”
said Danielle Spitzer, special events coordinator.
Commenting on IML’s service standards Danielle remarked, “The
IML team was great to work and strategize with on how to make the
event a larger success. We appreciated the staff being flown
in to meet with us prior to the event so we were familiar with the
points of contact for the evening.”