Making an Impact Together
How a $20,000 Guarantee Turned Into More Than $120,000 at the San Francisco 49ers Foundation Gala
There are moments before a performance that tell you everything you need to know.
This one began with a phone call from the foundation’s attorney.
He wasn’t calling to negotiate my contract. He wasn’t asking about staging, lighting, or logistics.
He was worried.
“Are you sure you want to give this guarantee?” he asked.
Like every qualified charity I work with, I gave them my show free and I had guaranteed that if my artwork didn’t raise enough money to cover the realted logistics costs for fights, hotel rooms, ground transportation, materials, and crew, I would personally absorb the loss. For this event, that guarantee was $20,000.
Then he explained why he was concerned.
A previous live artist—who had gained national attention on America’s Got Talent—had entertained the audience, but the artwork itself hadn’t raised very much money. The guests loved the show. The fundraising simply didn’t follow.
I smiled to myself.
“I wouldn’t offer a $20,000 guarantee if I wasn’t confident we’d raise a whole lot more.”
A Foundation That Invests in Possibility
The San Francisco 49ers Foundation has spent decades investing in opportunities for young people through education, health initiatives, and programs that help children build brighter futures.
One of the people behind that vision is Dr. John York.
I’ve been fortunate to know Dr. York not only as the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, but also as a friend, collector, and someone who truly understands using success to help others succeed. Over the years, his encouragement and referrals have opened doors for other charitable organizations to experience what live art can do for fundraising.
That kind of confidence means a great deal.
Lake Tahoe Was Doing Everything It Could to Distract Me
The gala was held at the spectacular Squaw Creek Resort in Lake Tahoe.
The scenery was almost unfair.
Snow-covered mountains…
Crackling fireplaces…
People talking about tomorrow’s skiing.
I was perfectly happy sitting beside the fire taking it all in.
I don’t ski.
And even if I did…
I don’t think I’d ever risk skiing before walking onto a stage where everything depends on being at my absolute best.
I’ll admire the mountains from a comfortable chair, thank you very much.
One Little Side Project
Like most events, I couldn’t resist creating something unexpected.
Among the artwork was a hand-painted collectible wine bottle featuring the iconic 49ers colors and logo.
It wasn’t the centerpiece of the evening.
It was simply one of those fun pieces that makes people stop, smile, and ask, “Can I buy that?”
Sometimes the smallest pieces become some of the most memorable souvenirs from an event.
More Than Paintings
As guests arrived, the ballroom slowly transformed.
Collectors wandered through the gallery.
Conversations began.
The San Francisco Gold Rush Cheerleaders stopped by to pose for photos.
Old friends became new friends.
The energy that eventually fuels an auction always starts long before the auctioneer says the first word.
The Moment of Truth
Every event reaches the same point.
The music stops.
The final brushstroke dries.
Now the paintings have to do their job.
This is the moment that determines whether my guarantee was confidence…
…or foolishness.
One by one, bidders raised their paddles.
Momentum built.
The room became electric.
By the time the auction concluded, the artwork had sold for more than $120,000.
The attorney’s concern had been understandable. Most charity committees don't think their group will buy artwork on the scale mine sells for. They are always pleaseantly surprised.
But that’s exactly why I make the guarantee.
Not because I’m reckless.
Because after hundreds of events, I’ve learned something that has very little to do with paint.
When people connect emotionally with my work, they truly want to take that experience home.
The paintings simply help create that moment.
Beyond the Canvas
The money raised that evening mattered.
The friendships that grew afterward mattered just as much.
I’ve always believed that the greatest part of a painting isn’t hanging on someone’s wall.
It’s what happens because of it.
Sometimes that’s funding programs for children.
Sometimes it’s creating lifelong friendships.
Sometimes it’s earning the trust of people who go on to introduce your work to other charities that need help.
That’s the part no one sees while the paint is still wet.
And it’s why evenings like this remain unforgettable long after the last bid is called.
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