Angela’s (Angela Kinsey) husband, state Senator Robert Lipton (Jack Coleman), throws a silent auction fundraiser for local animal rights activists and Robert (James Spader) buys two tables to seat everyone in the office. Newly fired Andy (Ed Helms) arrives and tries to get into an argument with Robert, telling him about a “space opera” he has written with the villain being a character named Thomas Oregon. Andy interrupts Robert’s speech introducing the senator by volunteering to adopt the twelve dogs brought by the local animal society. Afterwards, members of the office ask if he is having a breakdown, and Andy sadly agrees that he is.

Dwight (Rainn Wilson) attends without understanding the concept of an auction, believing its purpose to be guessing the price of the objects. By the end of the night, Dwight has put exorbitant amounts on the items and ends up accidentally donating over $34,000. He flees when he discovers his mistake. Meanwhile, Nellie (Catherine Tate) tries to talk with Darryl (Craig Robinson) by complaining about the food. She suggests they get a taco at her expense, offering thirty dollars to Darryl to go out and buy some. Darryl realizes she has no idea what a taco is and takes advantage of the occasion.

Oscar (Oscar Nunez) talks briefly to the senator about animal rights, and Lipton gives Oscar his private cell-phone number, asking him to call him in the evening to further discuss issues. Oscar tells this to Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krazinski). Jim says Lipton was likely just schmoozing a voter, and talks to Lipton himself, who also gives Jim his number. Meredith (Kate Flannery) later gets Lipton’s number as well, resulting in Oscar thinking that the senator may not be gay. When Oscar is leaving, Lipton shakes his hand and leaves his hand on Oscar’s arm for too long.

“Fundraiser” is the twenty-second episode of the eighth season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show’s 174th episode overall. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on April 26, 2012.

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