SignUpGenius Helps Stanford University Museum Raise $250,000

Turning Volunteer Scheduling Into Fundraising Momentum

Founded in 1891, the Cantor Arts Center is Stanford University’s only museum and a vital part of campus life. By the 1950s, growing collections created a need for ongoing fundraising support, inspiring volunteers to launch Treasure Market.

The annual event quickly became a destination for collectors and community members, offering fine furniture, china, crystal, silver, books, artwork, and more. As the event grew, so did the behind-the-scenes coordination required to keep it running smoothly.

In recent years, Volunteer Ticket Sales Chair Janet Tang was tasked with organizing approximately 350 volunteer shifts for Treasure Market. With so many moving parts, she worried her group might not respond well to a new technology system.

After seeing how intuitive SignUpGenius was, Tang decided to give it a try. She signed up for a premium account and began building schedules that worked for both organizers and volunteers.

Less Confusion, More Confidence

“[SignUpGenius] has saved me so much time. I just set up the schedule on the site and did not have to do much of anything,” says Tang. “All the department chairs thought that I was such a techy person because everything they requested I was able to say yes, I can do it. Your site was so easy to manage.”

What stood out most was how accessible the process felt to everyone involved. “I have received positive responses from everyone, even the individuals that are not tech-savvy,” Tang shares.

With SignUpGenius, Tang was able to move volunteer coordination out of her inbox and into a single, reliable system. Features that made a difference included:

• Automated email reminders to reduce missed shifts and last-minute confusion
• Easy schedule updates that instantly reflected changes for volunteers
• Centralized volunteer contact information for quick communication and future outreach
• A simple sign-up experience that worked well even for non–tech-savvy volunteers

These tools helped Tang manage a complex schedule with confidence while keeping volunteers informed and engaged year after year.

That organization paid off. In 2014, Treasure Market netted $250,000 and delivered a successful outcome across multiple fronts, from volunteer coordination to fundraising results. Today, many organizations pair their sign ups with SignUpGenius Donations to make it easier for supporters to contribute financially alongside giving their time.

When volunteer coordination runs smoothly, fundraisers have room to thrive. SignUpGenius helps organizers spend less time managing logistics and more time focusing on what matters most.

Ready to meet your fundraising goals without the headache?