We have been using Philantopia's services for about 3 years. The packages have been used for both our silent and live auction for our gala, our largest fundraising event.
In 2022, we had partnered with Philantopia once again and invested in the Rhone, France Culinary Package. We were thrilled that not only did it sell for $4,000 over the consignment price, but we sold it four times! It generated $40,000 for our organization!
Not only does Philantopia offer unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but Kolleen is a delight to work with pre, during, and post-event. She is professional, responsive, and flexible with our needs. I trust that my donors are in good hands with her, which is invaluable!
- Ria Martinson - Development Manager
Girls Inc. of Orange County
I bid and won the Philantopia trip; Wine and Dine in the Heart of Tuscany at the H Foundation Fundraiser. Not only was the trip incredible and more than we thought it would be but we have booked another trip to return this next summer. The property is beautiful, the staff superb and Cortona and the surrounding area just what you would think a Tuscany vacation experience should be. I would highly recommend Tuscany as a choice. Philantopia handled all our travel planning seamlessly!
- Gregg G. - Bid Winner
This was my first time using Philantopia for my annual auction and I’ll use them again next year! The process was fast and easy and the trip I chose sold for much higher than I expected. I have enough things to worry about when planning my auction, but offering a great trip was not one of them!
- Tom Leader, Special Events Manager - Mohonk Preserve
New Paltz, New York
We have used Philantopia travel packages for the last two years for the silent auction at one of our largest fundraising events of the year and the process was so seamless and beneficial both years! The supporters that have purchased the travel packages have had great things to say about their experience, and having the options really added a lot to our auction without having to do the work of securing the items on our own.
- Kristi Perry Cox, Marketing & Operations Coordinator
The Lynn Sage Foundation Chicago, Illinois
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the ease of coordinating with Philantopia for our PTA fundraiser! I was able to easily browse the package options and with just a few emails the entire process was complete! The no-risk assurance was comforting and I am so happy to know and work with Philantopia now!
- Sandra Koviks, May Watt Elementary PTA
Naperville, Illinois
This was our first time partnering with Philantopia for our school's Tuition Assistance Fundraiser and it will be the first of many! Philantopia allowed us the opportunity to offer extraordinary travel events tailored to our community's interests - RISK FREE. The registration was easy and straightforward. There were so many exciting adventures and travel trips for couples and families - it was hard to choose. The travel package media that Philantopia provided was clearly outlined, professional and included beautiful imagery that garnered interest from bidders weeks before the event. The night of the Auction our two Philantopia trips were so sought after that we sold both trips for bids well above the minimum and we sold them each TWICE!
The first business day after our event, we received a comprehensive email and follow up call from Kolleen Lawson. My conversation with her was delightful. She was knowledgeable, a pleasure to speak with and remarkably efficient. She congratulated us on the double bidders, explained the simple transfer/booking process and promptly provided the detailed sheets we forwarded to our donors. The winners of the Philantopia trips were very complimentary about how easy the booking process was and it was effortless on our end. We look forward to partnering with Philantopia next year and for the years to come!
- Suzanne M - Park City Day School
Park City, Utah
We have been using Philantopia for a number of years. We included one of their packages as a silent auction item at our annual golf tournament. The packages were very attractive and generated a lot of interest. The packages provided an element of sophistication to our tournament, with zero risk (as long as the reserve price was met). Secondly, we purchased several packages at the reserve price (with a sponsor) and gave them away as a grand prize drawing at our national conference. The excitement generated from this approach was invaluable! I highly recommend Philantopia for anyone's event!
- Daniel N. Hebert, State President - NH Jump$tart Coalition
Hillsborough, New Hampshire
We just got back from our Rhone France trip. What an AMAZING trip! Ken made our trip memorable, full of laughter’s and more importantly, treated us like family. He went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed every moment of our stay. Thank you also for all your assistance in planning this trip. It was truly, the most amazing trip for all of us.
- Michelle D. - Bid Winner
Philantopia is great to work with, you assisted in getting the most popular packages that were offered and also made suggestions for affordable trips. I love working with Philantopia because it is just so darn easy……Great Travel Packages + Great Customer Support = A Great Event!
- John White, Event Organizer and Manager Lifestyle Services / Denver Scholarship Fund
Denver, Colorado
I am writing to thank Philantopia and the JumpStart Coalition for the Napa Valley trip I won at the Washington DC conference two Novembers ago. I had scheduled the trip for last summer (2020) but due to Covid, I had to cancel it. I was able to reschedule it for the beginning of August and just recently got back.
The hotel was beautiful and the staff were great. On the second day of our 3-day stay we had a chauffeured trip to 3 vineyards (Pestoni, Tres Sabores, and Von Strasser). It was great to start traveling again and to such a beautiful part of our country! I extended the trip to see the Redwoods, Sequoias, Joshua Tree, and spend a few days in San Francisco. It was an awesome trip! Thanks again and stay safe.
- Thomas
The team at Philantopia was a true joy to work with. They were able to help us create a meaningful fundraiser with an incredible sense of urgency…48 hours before our event! The staff was very educated in their products, helpful in our trip selections and pricing, and supportive all the way through the process. They were a lifesaver! In addition, the trips we selected sold well, and netted significant benefit for our organization. We will definitely be working with Philantopia over and over again in the future!
- Dyani - Performing Arts Academy Denver Colorado
Buying a travel package through Philantopia couldn't have been easier. Our event attendees and our whole organization was so excited about the trip package, and it made our event that much more exciting for everyone!
- Laura Adkins, General Manager - Windy City Performing Arts
Chicago, Illinois
The process is really simple and took little time to put together. We love that it is no risk...that’s really important to our non-profit!
- Judy Hendricks, Board Chair - Frequent Flyers
Boulder, Colorado
It was so easy to work with Philantopia! We picked out the packages that we wanted to offer at our Live Auction and they provide the forms that our Auction Winners needed to fill out. Our winners told us it was extremely easy to book their trips!
- Lindsey B., Marketing & Development Coordinator - Butterfly House & Aquarium
Sioux Falls, South Dakota