We pair pre-event strategy with high-energy auctioneering to lift paddle raises, live auctions, and donor confidence — year after year.
From revenue architecture and bid calling to crystal-clear room audio and production.
Trusted by DC-area independent schools, hospitals & nonprofits
A short clip from the stage — the energy, the cadence, and the way a well-run call moves a room from polite applause to record-breaking generosity.
Watch George Tsamouras and CBA in Action
Best viewed with sound on for live room auction cadence and crowd response.
Ready to bring this level of energy to your room?
Discover how the Capital Benefit Method turns passive gala attendees into record-setting donors.
The mic only matters because of what happens before the mic turns on. We engineer the strategy, prime the room, and execute on stage.
See the Capital Benefit MethodLadder seeding, donor outreach, and match design tuned to your room.
High-energy, polished delivery that reads the room and moves the dollars.
Run-of-show, scripting, and emcee coaching that compounds year over year.
Repeat clients average a 40%+ increase in paddle raise revenue.
Commercial-grade sound systems and wireless mics tuned for high-energy room pacing. No vendor finger-pointing, no echo chambers, just pure clarity.
We combine federal-level data architecture with stage-tested room leadership.
Former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the U.S. Department of State.
Karen applies systems analysis and predictive ladder seeding to identify exactly where your event is leaving money on the table.
Professional Benefit Auctioneer & Emcee.
George reads the room in real time, sustaining momentum and driving paddle raises with warmth, humor, and donor-focused grace.
"CBA's ability to connect with the audience is unmatched. They consistently shatter fundraising records and make our school auction the highlight of the year."
"Working with Capital Benefit Auctions was a game-changer for Move2Learn. They didn’t just show up on event night; they were true partners from the start, strategizing with us every step of the way. Their commitment helped us triple our paddle raise, and we couldn’t be happier!"
The single most important moment of any benefit gala — explained, with the math behind why it works.
Read guideQuestions to ask, red flags to watch for, and the difference between an auctioneer and a fundraising consultant.
Read guideHow to design a fund-a-need that generates record-setting lift — laddered ask amounts, seeded gifts, and momentum mechanics.
Read guideA benefit auctioneer designs and runs the fundraising portion of a nonprofit gala — typically the live auction and the paddle raise (also called fund-a-need). At Capital Benefit Auctions, the role starts months before the event with strategy, donor ladder seeding, and match design, and ends on stage with the live calling that turns the room into revenue.
We’re based in Washington, DC and serve nonprofits across the Greater Washington DC metropolitan area, including Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. We also offer our Event Fundraising Consultation to organizations anywhere in the United States, conducted remotely by video conference. We travel nationally for select live auctioneering engagements.
Full-service engagements with Capital Benefit Auctions start at $3,500 per event. Our Event Fundraising Consultation — a remote, data-driven strategic review — is available for $500. Contact us to discuss your event and receive a proposal.
Book a 30-minute strategy call. We'll walk through your goals, your room, and the specific levers we'd pull to lift your paddle raise.
Book a Strategy Call