About HGA Fundraising
Nonprofits, Raise More Money™ with HGA.
HGA is a family-owned business, co-founded in 2020 by Jason Ledlow and Trevor Nelson, that has grown into the country's leader in event fundraising. We exist to do one thing: give your gala the items, the coaching, and the safety net it needs to raise more than last year — without putting a dollar of your budget at risk.
Our story
Built by people who've sat in your seat.
Before HGA was a company, our founders were running events for causes they cared about — and watching nonprofits spend reserves on auction items that didn't sell. The idea was simple: if a package didn't move, the nonprofit shouldn't pay for it.
That single principle — risk belongs with the vendor, not the nonprofit — turned into a consignment model that's now used by thousands of galas a year, from neighborhood schools to the country's biggest national charities.
Today our team is on track to be involved in more than 2,000+ events every year. That scale isn't just a vanity number — it's how we know which packages drive the highest bids in a Catholic school auditorium vs. a black-tie hotel ballroom, and how we can keep saying "you don't pay until it sells" while still delivering the white-glove travel experience your winning bidders deserve.
We're still family-owned. We still answer the phone when you call. And we still measure ourselves on one number: how much more your cause raised because we were in the room.
What we believe
Four principles, applied to every event.
These aren't slogans — they're the rules our team uses to decide what we'll put in the catalog and how we'll show up for your gala.
Risk belongs with us, not you.
Your mission can't afford a bad night. We carry every dollar of inventory cost up front and only get paid when packages sell, so your committee can swing for the fences without putting reserves on the line.
Every package has to earn the room.
We turn down trips that don't drive bidding wars. The catalog is curated to one standard: will it raise more for the cause than it costs? If the answer isn't yes, it doesn't make the list.
Mission first, always.
Every dollar above the consignment cost goes to your bottom line — period. No upcharges, no hidden splits, no pressure to upsell donors. Your auctioneer announces it, your donors love it, your treasurer can verify it.
Coaching, not just catalog.
Free coaching calls, weekly webinars, a podcast, and a senior consultant assigned to every event. We've worked thousands of galas — that experience is yours to use, included with every package.
Leadership
Meet the people running point.
Backed by a team of 20 — including a dozen senior fundraising consultants — supporting every gala from first call to final receipt.
Jason Ledlow
CEO & Co-Founder
Co-founded HGA in 2020 with a single goal — give nonprofits a way to put premium auction items on stage without putting their budget at risk. Over 30 years of fundraising experience and personally consulted on thousands of galas across the country.
Trevor Nelson
Chief Gratitude Officer
Leads brand, package design, and the digital marketing kits that come with every reservation. Trevor's the reason your auctioneer's slides, scripts, and program copy show up gala-ready — and the host of the Hey Nonprofits! podcast.
Tim Monahan
Director of Sales
Owns the relationship side of the house — pairing every nonprofit with the right consultant and making sure no gala chair ever waits on a quote, a question, or a callback.
Deborah Viers
Director of Travel
Runs the redemption side. When a winning bidder books their trip, Deborah's team is the one delivering the white-glove travel experience that drives word of mouth back to your next event.
James Gilbertson
Director of Finance
Keeps reconciliation clean and timelines honest. Nonprofits get one clear invoice after the gala — no surprises, no negotiation, no math homework.
Paul Viers
Director of IT
Builds and maintains the systems that connect catalog, auctioneer, and finance — so the experience from reservation to payout is the same on event #1 as it is on event #1,000.
The full team
Senior consultants & specialists behind every event.
The people who handle your strategy, your packages, and your winning bidders — start to finish.
Courtney Houghtaling
Executive Operations Administrator
Tom Summa
Fundraising Consultant
Sandra Hilsenrath
Community Engagement & Content Manager
Rick Counts
Fundraising Consultant
Austin Ledlow
Fundraising Consultant
Courtney Syrett
Fundraising Consultant
Zach Nelson
Fundraising Consultant
Mark West
Fundraising Consultant
Blake Weaver
Digital Marketing Manager
Katie Nelson
Redemption Coordinator
Abigail Parris
Vacation Specialist
Emily Bell
Vacation Specialist
Elizabeth Fiechtner
Booking Specialist
Morgan Hughes
Partnerships Coordinator
In their words
The real proof is what nonprofits say after the gala.
"HGA Fundraising goes above and beyond all my expectations. Their level of service and commitment to their clients is unparalleled. Their customer service is second to none and I highly recommend them."
"We received rave reviews on the trips from our attendees! This year we were able to raise $30,000 — at our inaugural event."
Curious whether the model fits your gala or fundraiser?
Hop on a free call with a senior consultant — as long or as short as you need. No pitch deck, no obligation — just a clear, honest read on what's possible for your event.
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 362-6838