Charitybuzz

Charitybuzz is an internet company that raises funds for nonprofit organizations through online charity auctions with celebrities and brands.[1] Auction experiences include music, entertainment, business, politics, sports, art, fashion and other industries.[2] Charitybuzz keeps 20 percent of the proceeds of each auction.[3]

Charitybuzz
Type of businessPrivate
Founded2005
Headquarters
New York City
,
USA
Key peopleCoppy Holzman (Founder)
Ben Erwin (President)
Patrick Farrell (COO)
Jan Svendsen (CCO)
Todd Wagner (CEO and Founder The Charity Network)
IndustryOnline Charity Auctions
ParentThe Charity Network
URLcharitybuzz.com

The company was founded in 2005. As of December 2019, the company has raised more than $400 million for charity.[4][5][6]

History

CEO Coppy Holzman founded Charitybuzz out of his Westport, Connecticut home in April 2005. After a conversation with Chevy Chase and President Bill Clinton at a reception to benefit the Clinton Library in late 2004.[7] He launched Charitybuzz a few months later with one employee and a directive from Chase to raise funds for The Center for Environmental Education. Holzman and his team persuaded 70 celebrities and luxury brands into donating meet-and-greets, VIP tickets, vacations and other gifts for the company’s first auction. The first experience auctioned was a Caddyshack golf outing with Bill Murray and Chase.[7] After a segment with Chase on the TODAY show, the online auction site raised $250,000 within two weeks.[8] After its initial success, Charitybuzz's business grew quickly through word of mouth.[7]

Holzman ran Charitybuzz part-time until the fall of 2007, when he committed to operating the business full-time and moved the company out of his home and into an office space. In 2008, he registered Charitybuzz as a sub-chapter S in Delaware and secured a board of directors which included Kerry Kennedy, Peter Borish, Jonah Goodhart, Jon Melzer, Stuart Sundlow, and Jayni Chase.[9]

Soon after, during the height of the recession in 2009, the company marked $100 million in bids and one million unique visitors.[7] By 2010, with more than 1,500 online charity auctions complete, Charitybuzz doubled in size by expanding its focus to include corporate philanthropy support. The company subsequently moved its headquarters and staff from Connecticut to an 8,000 square foot office at 437 Fifth Avenue in New York City. [10][3][11][12][13][14]

In early 2012, Charitybuzz added Macy’s Chief Stores Officer Peter Sachse to its Board of Directors.[15] In 2012, Charitybuzz launched a new celebrity concierge service for charity called "Do Good Dream Big," where bidders could request customized celebrity access for a minimum donation of $20,000.[6]

Charitybuzz unveiled an updated logo in April 2013. In September 2013, Patrick Farrell was appointed Chief Operating Officer, a new position within Charitybuzz [16]

In November 2013, Charitybuzz marked $100 million raised for nonprofits and celebrated by ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Black Friday. [17]

In 2014, Charitybuzz raised $30 million for its nonprofit partners, bringing its total raised since inception in 2005 to $130 million. Celebrities including Bruce Springsteen and Matthew McConaughey supported their favorite causes to raise money for organizations including the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, WhyHunger, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, The Kristen Ann Carr Fund and more. The top lots from 2014 included the opportunity to meet Sir Paul McCartney backstage which sold for $105,000 for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Coffee with Journey's Steve Perry which sold for $75,000 to benefit City of Hope.[18]

In 2015, Charitybuzz was acquired by Todd Wagner, the CEO and Founder of Chideo.[19] In 2016, Charitybuzz became a subsidiary of The Charity Network, founded by Todd Wagner.[20]

Business model

By auctioning luxury items and celebrity-backed experiences through the internet to bidders worldwide, Charitybuzz is able to raise funds for foundations and nonprofits.[21] Charitybuzz's staff of 40 provides auction services for more than 3,200 nonprofit clients, as well as cause marketing support for many for-profit brands looking to enhance their corporate philanthropy programs.[7] At the end of each auction, Charitybuzz keeps 20 percent to cover its operating costs.[3]

Notable offerings auctioned

Charitybuzz auctions have included:

2015
  • One-of-a-Kind LeBron James Customized 2015 Kia K900 Luxury Sedan to benefit LeBron James Family Foundation.[22] Final bid: $111.000 (2015)

2013
  • Coffee with Apple CEO Tim Cook at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, CA to benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Final bid: $610,000 (2013)[23]
  • Be One of the First in the U.S. to Own a Lamborghini Aventador to benefit One Drop Foundation. Final bid: $610,000 (2013)[24]

2012
  • Lunch with Michael R. Bloomberg in New York City, NY to benefit The Humane Society of the United States.[25] Final bid: $185,000 (2012)
  • Lifetime Membership to All Current and Future Trump National Golf Courses to benefit Donald J. Trump Foundation.[26] Final bid: $185,000 (2012)
  • Meet Jeremy Lin after watching the Knicks at Madison Square Garden from VIP seats and take home his game-worn jersey. Final bid: $42,388 (2012) [27]

2011

2010
  • The very first Chevrolet Volt off the production line to benefit Detroit Public Schools. Final bid: $225,000 (2010)
  • Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Las Vegas Strip Tourbillon Limited Edition Watch signed by Jay-Z to benefit Broadway Cares. Final bid: $220,000 (2010)[31]
  • Audemars Piguet Lady Millenary Astrologia Limited Edition Watch signed by Meryl Streep sold twice to benefit Broadway Cares. Final bid: $100,000 (2010)[31]
  • Meet Paul McCartney at the Apollo Theater to benefit the Green Schools Initiative. Final bid: $130,000 (2010)[31]
  • Meet Robert Pattinson of the set of Twilight: Breaking Dawn to benefit the GO Campaign. Final bid: $85,000 (2010)[31]
  • Play golf with Tom Watson to benefit The Pink Pony Fund. Final bid: $80,500 (2010)[31]
  • Play golf with President Bill Clinton to benefit Christie's Green Auction. Final bid: $80,000 (2010)[31]
  • Get a backstage tour from U2's The Edge to benefit Gabrielle's Angel Foundation. Final bid: $80,000 (2010)[31]
  • Meet Prince William at the Chakravarty Cup to benefit the Chakravarty Cup. Final bid: $71,250[31]
  • Watch Simon Doonan create the Barney's Christmas windows to benefit Christie's Green Auction. Final bid: $60,000 (2010)[31]
  • Be Sir Elton John's guest at his star-studded Oscar party to benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Final bid: $52,000 (2010)[31]
  • Meet Ralph Lauren at New York Fashion Week to benefit The Pink Pony Fund. Final bid: $51,000 (2010)[31]
  • Have Shepard Fairey paint your portrait to benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center. Final bid: $45,000 (2010)[31]
  • Spend a week interning at Vogue and meet Anna Wintour to benefit the Robert F. Kennedy Center. Final bid: $42,500 (2010)[31]
  • Meet James Cameron at a private viewing of Avatar to benefit MUSE Elementary School. Final bid: $42,500 (2010)[31]

Awards

The Charity Network was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in the not-for-profit space in 2017.[32]

References
  1. Boyd Meyers, Courtney. "Lunch with Luke Skywalker? charitybuzz announces its holiday auction". The Next Web. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  2. "Charitybuzz Home Page". Charitybuzz. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  3. Cole, Patrick. "Jay-Z's New Year's Eve, LeBron Jersey Fuel Charitybuzz Auctions". Bloomberg. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  4. https://www.charitybuzz.com/partners
  5. Grant, Rebecca. "Charitybuzz Raises $100M For Good Causes By Auctioning Celebrity Experiences". VentureBeat. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  6. Garcia, Courtney (5 June 2012). "Charitable group offers "concierge" access to stars". Reuters. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  7. Moran, Gwen. "Charitybuzz's Big Idea: Altruistic Online Auctions". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  8. Sweet, Katherine. "Charitybuzz: Online luxe auctions that make a difference". Lady Luxe. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  9. "Charitybuzz". Crunchbase. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  10. Souccar, Miriam. "Charitybuzz, in growth mode, moves to Manhattan". Crain's New York. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  11. Hacket, Larry. "Editor's Letter". People Magazine. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  12. Michaud, Chris (19 January 2011). "Artists, designers join forces for green auction". Reuters. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  13. Zinderman, Carly. "Charitybuzz and Audemars Piguet Watches Join Forces for Charity". International Business Times. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  14. "Have Jessica Simpson's Christmas Tree in Your Home this Holiday". People StyleWatch. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  15. "Peter Sachse Joins Charitybuzz Board". WWD. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  16. "Charitybuzz Names Patrick Farrell Chief Operating Officer". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  17. Charitybuzz rings the NYSE Opening Bell by New York Stock Exchange, retrieved 11 December 2019
  18. "Charitybuzz: The Top 20 Celebrity Auctions Of 2014". /www.Charitybuzz.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  19. Gardner, Chris. "Todd Wagner Acquires Controlling Stake in Auction Platform Charitybuzz". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  20. "Billionaire Todd Wagner Launches Charity Network". Tomorro. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  21. Sniderman, Zachary. "What Makes the Most Influential Social Good Champions Tick?". Mashable. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  22. "ONE-OF-A-KIND "KING JAMES EDITION" KIA K900 GOES UP FOR AUCTION TODAY TO BENEFIT THE LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION". www.kiamedia.com.
  23. Trotman, Andrew (14 May 2013). "Auction winner pays $610,000 for cup of coffee with Apple chief Tim Cook". Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  24. "Winner of Charity Auction for one of first Aventador Roadster for United States". Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  25. "Charitybuzz: Have Lunch with Michael R. Bloomberg in New York City - Lot 3130013". /www.Charitybuzz.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  26. "Charitybuzz: Lifetime Membership to All Current AND Future Trump Natio... - Lot 2751199". /www.Charitybuzz.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  27. Levinson, Mason. "Jeremy Lin's Knicks Jersey From Kobe Bryant Contest Auctioned For $42,388". Bloomberg. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  28. Prois, Jessica (23 February 2012). "Bill Clinton Pulls In Highest Bid In CharityBuzz Celebrity Auction". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  29. Palmeri, Christopher. "Vanity Fair Oscar Party Invites Draw $100,000 Prices At Charity Auctions". Bloomberg. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  30. Weisman, Aly. "Presenting the Most Over-the-Top Expensive Celebrity Charity Auctions of the Year". Business Insider. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  31. "Jay-Z Tops List of Super Celebrity Fundraisers of 2010". Tonic. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  32. "Charity Network: Most Innovative Companies". Fast Company.
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