BENEFIT AUCTION SPECIALIST (BAS) • CHICAGO, IL

Turn Your Next Charity Gala Into a Fun Fundraiser.

Stop leaving donations on the table. Patrick Desmond combines high-energy crowd control with emotional mission storytelling to keep your donors entertained, on schedule, and giving generously.

Patrick Desmond Benefit Auction Specialist in tuxedo

BAS Certified National Auctioneers Association

Illinois Licensed License #441002679

Storytelling Partner Mouve Film (Tim Sotter & Jeff Noble)

COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

Schedule Your 30-Minute Consultation

Please contact Patrick for an initial event evaluation and a discussion about the many ways your fundraising can be fun and fruitful.

VIRTUAL

30-Minute Zoom Call

Connect online from anywhere. We will review your upcoming gala timeline, auction items, and Fund-a-Need appeal strategy.

Open direct calendar ↗

PHONE / IN-PERSON

30-Minute Strategy Session

Discuss your event over phone, or arrange an in-person meeting in the Chicagoland area to evaluate your venue and program.

Open direct calendar ↗

Prefer to talk directly right now? (312) 725-3983 patrick@desmondauctions.com

PHOTO GALLERY

Live Gala Moments & High-Energy Bidding

A quick look at the excitement, donor connection, and atmosphere Patrick brings to charity galas.

CLIENT EXPERIENCES

What Clients Are Saying

Direct feedback from non-profit board chairs and foundation leaders who partnered with Patrick.

FEATURED CLIENT STORY • CHICAGO, IL

“We exceeded our paddle raise fundraising goal and that's where the rubber meets the road.”

“We had no idea how incredibly lucky we'd be by hiring Patrick Desmond to do our paddle raiser at this year's fundraising gala. Patrick IS a theatre person and from a theatre family and the audience felt that special sincerity from Patrick. There were no gimmicks and there was no ridiculous shtick that some auctioneers perform. Patrick was just SO GOOD. He had the audience with him from his first words and as likable as he is, we exceeded our paddle raise fundraising goal and that's where the rubber meets the road. I would recommend that any theatre hire Patrick Desmond. You'll thank me later. You're welcome!”

Pamela Klier

Director of Development • Porchlight Music Theatre • Chicago, IL

“You made raising money feel like the most fun part of the evening!”

“Thank you for leading our giving at the Welcome Home Gala. Your energy had the whole room locked in and you made raising money feel like the most fun part of the evening!”

Kim Hannay

Executive Director • Digs with Dignity • Chicago, IL

“Almost doubling the proceeds from the year before”

“We were able to raise the most money ever made (almost doubling the proceeds from the year before) at the last event Mr. Desmond auctioneered for us.”

Stacey Haney

Allegiant Giving • Rocklin, California

“Could not have asked for a better, more engaging auctioneer”

“We could not have asked for a better, more engaging, more enthusiastic auctioneer in Patrick.”

Jeroen Gerrese

Chair 2020, Monterey County Hospitality Association • General Manager, Sheraton Grand Hotel • Monterey, CA

“The Red Cross BASH was a HUGE SUCCESS!”

“The Red Cross BASH was a HUGE SUCCESS, largely thanks to YOU! THANK YOU! I heard so many compliments from attendees about your style and skill. People really liked you!”

Eileen Reynolds

Chair, City of Folsom Planning Commission • Immediate Past Chair, American Red Cross

STAGE REEL

Watch Patrick on Stage

See Patrick's stage energy, warmth, and live auction calling style in action.

Play 1-Min Video

Patrick Desmond, Benefit Auction Specialist

Patrick Desmond, BAS

Benefit Auction Specialist

ABOUT PATRICK DESMOND

Understanding Your Mission Is My Mission.

Understanding and conveying the REASON is my focus.

“I believe fundraising should be fun!”

Too many charity events feel like a stiff obligation. When attendees aren't emotionally connected or having fun, giving stalls.

As a certified Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS), my job begins with understanding your cause and conveying that passion to the room. When your guests understand the impact of their gift and are thoroughly entertained, generous giving follows naturally.

Patrick Desmond, BAS Illinois Auctioneer License 441002679

PREFERRED PARTNER

Our Preferred Storytelling Partner: Mouve Film

We’re proud to partner with Mouve Film as our go-to storytelling partner. Led by Tim Sotter and Jeff Noble, Mouve Film brings decades of combined experience in television production, storytelling, and visual media.

Tim is a veteran television producer with over 20 years in the industry, including his time as executive sports producer for ABC-TV in San Francisco. Jeff brings a creative and strategic eye that elevates every project, whether corporate, sports, entertainment, or news. Together, they specialize in authentic, high-quality visual storytelling that connects audiences to the mission at hand. Whether capturing the energy of a live auction, the emotion of a Fund-a-Need appeal, or the impact of your organization in action, we trust Mouve Film to bring a professional, creative eye to every project.