Auctions by Dani Website | About Dani Dotterosa

Meet

Dani Dotterosa

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I've Always Liked

to Be in the Mix

If you asked my teachers growing up, you’d hear the same feedback every year at parent-teacher conferences:

“Dani is great. She’s always raising her hand. She always comes prepared. We love her in class, but boy is she chatty and always trying to make a joke.”

I loved being involved, connecting people, cracking jokes, and keeping the energy up. I was rarely quiet, always curious, and usually trying to bring a little humor into the moment. At the time, I had no idea that the traits that made teachers sigh and smile would one day become my greatest professional strength.

In my early 20s, I had more side hustles than I can count. One of them was working fundraising galas — handling check-in and check-out, supporting mobile bidding, and jumping in wherever help was needed. What started as “just a gig” quickly turned into something more. I was drawn to the energy of the room, the heart behind each mission, and the very real impact those nights had on communities. One gala turned into dozens, then hundreds—and before I knew it, I was fully immersed in the world of fundraising events.

Rallying People to Raise Money — Before I Knew It Was My Career

As Captain of the University of Denver Women’s Lacrosse team and President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, I learned how to lead teams, build momentum, and perform under pressure. I was also in charge of fundraising for our program — organizing campaigns, motivating teammates, and helping raise $100,000 to fund a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia to compete internationally.

Team Captain
DU Women's Lacrosse

$100,000
Raised for Australia Trip

President
Student Athlete Advisory Committee

At the time, I had no idea that fundraising would become my career. I just knew I loved motivating people, creating momentum, and being the one who helped turn effort into results. Looking back, it’s obvious those experiences shaped how I lead today — comfortable stepping up, bringing people together, and keeping everyone focused on the goal.

Helping Annual Galas Perform at Their Highest Level

After being recruited by former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers as his first Benefit Auctioneer, I went on to help more than 400 nonprofits and schools raise over $50 million through fundraising events. I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes — including Mercy Housing, the Arvada Center, the Children’s Museum, Foothills Art Center, and Animal Friends Alliance — and I bring that broad, real-world experience into every room I step into.

400+

Nonprofits and Schools Served

$50M+

Raised at Benefit Events

Today, I support nonprofit leaders and board members who want their gala to feel purposeful, organized, and successful. Through consulting, training, and on-stage leadership, I help teams bring clarity and confidence to their events so they can fund their mission and walk away proud of what they accomplished.

I’m also the creator of The Profitable Gala Playbook, a practical framework designed to help nonprofits stop guessing and start planning with intention. In addition to my client work, I’m a popular speaker for the Colorado Nonprofit Association, I host my own gala trainings, and I’ve led sessions for the Colorado Impact Council, helping nonprofit leaders understand what truly drives a successful fundraising event.

Off the Stage

Outside of galas, my favorite roles are being a wife and a mom to my kids, Remy and Sadie. My entire family lives here in Colorado, and I spend a lot of time soaking up life with them—along with close friends who feel like family too. Game nights, coffee with friends, and dinners out are what remind me how lucky I am.

I carry a deep sense of gratitude for this life. I recognize the good fortune I have to enjoy these moments, and that perspective grounds me every day. It’s also what keeps me connected to the nonprofit leaders and board members I work with—people who give so much of themselves to meaningful missions. I’m constantly impressed by the strength, intelligence, and heart nonprofit leaders bring to their work, and I believe you deserve partners who will work hard for you to turn that effort into real financial support.

Why I Do This?

I work with people who take on big missions, and I have a lot of respect for that. My job is to help make sure all the time, energy, and heart you’ve put into your gala turns into the maximum funding
possible for the work you’re doing.

I know how much is riding on these events. On gala night, I’m right there with you—reading the room, creating energy, and making sure no opportunity is missed when it comes to raising money. Because when your gala does well financially, your mission is better positioned to do what it exists to do.

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’d love to connect and learn more about your organization.

Professional Bio

Dani Dotterosa is a Gala fundraising powerhouse who has guided hundreds of nonprofits to raise over $50 million. She initially gained her experience managing fundraising teams on event nights and was later recruited to the team of former Denver Bronco, Reggie Rivers, as his first Benefit Auctioneer. Her collaborations extend to renowned nonprofits such as the American Heart Association, Children's Museum, and Make a Wish Colorado, as well as hundreds of smaller groups and schools, making her the go-to expert for all things Gala fundraising.

Regardless of the team or organization Dani joins, she is hand-selected by her peers for leadership positions. From being the Captain of the DU Women’s Lacrosse team to serving as the Head of Intercollegiate Athletics, the President of the Student-Athlete Committee, DU representative at the NCAA Regional Leadership Conference, and the VP of Membership for Cherry Creek T oastmasters, Dani brings years of leadership and fundraising experience to her work. She specializes in training nonprofit leaders on how to achieve their most successful Galas. As the creator of The Profitable Gala Program and accompanying Playbook, she can confidently assist any nonprofit leader in crushing their fundraising goals.

Auctions by Dani

Auctions by Dani provides benefit auctioneering, emceeing, and gala fundraising consulting—helping organizations design events that raise more money, engage donors, and feel good to execute from start to finish.