Claim OwnershipFun In Fundraising
Subscribed: 0Played: 0
Subscribe
© Copyright 2023 The Lead Coaching LLC All rights reserved.
Description
Fun In Fundraising is a podcast that gives you behind the scenes access to those behind top fundraising galas and cocktail parties. These events raise large sums of money through producing fun, memorable experiences that have guests and attendees coming back year after year.
Each episode, host Rob Giardinelli talks with top gala and non-profit fundraising event chairs, honorees, producers and non-profit executives. These conversations highlight how top leaders facilitate raising large sums of money to positively impact their communities in a fun, organic way.
Rob Giardinelli is a sales executive turned ”professional guest on duty” through his work at esteemed publications The Society Diaries and Society Texas. During the past 12 years, Giardinelli has attended/chronicled over 2,000 galas, kick-off events and cocktail parties that have raised over $250 million for some of the world’s top nonprofits.
To learn more about or work with Rob, visit www.diningfordollars.co
Each episode, host Rob Giardinelli talks with top gala and non-profit fundraising event chairs, honorees, producers and non-profit executives. These conversations highlight how top leaders facilitate raising large sums of money to positively impact their communities in a fun, organic way.
Rob Giardinelli is a sales executive turned ”professional guest on duty” through his work at esteemed publications The Society Diaries and Society Texas. During the past 12 years, Giardinelli has attended/chronicled over 2,000 galas, kick-off events and cocktail parties that have raised over $250 million for some of the world’s top nonprofits.
To learn more about or work with Rob, visit www.diningfordollars.co
66 Episodes
Reverse
What is it like to host a gala that is held in one of the world's most iconic spaces? Today, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with Kristin Smith, Executive Director for The American Friends of Versailles, and Alicia Bryan, Chair of their upcoming gala Le Gala des Fleurs d'Orangerie.
Le Gala des Fleurs d'Orangerie is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It features four days of private art tours, lunches, receptions, and dinners. The highlight of the four days will be a gala held in Versailles where patrons have a private, exclusive dinner inside this majestic space that over 15 million people visit annually. Proceeds raised from the event benefit restoration projects within Versailles and the surrounding park grounds.
In this episode, Alicia and Kristin talk about a wide range of topics including how the organization draws people from around the world for their event, tips on creating unique experiences over several days to keep donors engaged throughout, and tips on getting high-profile individuals who are also very private to say yes. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does a nonprofit use galas and signature fundraising events to connect major donors with the organization's mission? Today, I talk with Murphey Sears, Chief Development Officer of Make-A-Wish North Texas to talk about their upcoming Dallas signature fundraising event Wish Night 2024.
For over 40 years, Make-A-Wish has provided life-changing wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Over the past quarter century, hundreds have turned out each year for Wish Night 2024 in Dallas to celebrate the power and hope a wish can make for a child (and their families) dealing with adversity in the chapters 161 county area covering East, West, and North Texas.
In this episode, Murphey talks about a wide range of topics including creating events that connect with the personality of each community an organization serves, how the organization works with Wish Families to convey the organization's mission and connect with major donors, and tips on finding and securing corporate sponsors.
How does a nonprofit bring the fun to its annual fundraising event year after year? Today, I talk with Dr. Susan Blaney, Director of Cancer and Hematology Centers at Texas Children's Hospital and Shelly Hendry, co-chair of their annual signature fundraising event An Evening With Legends featuring David Foster and Katharine McPhee.
An Evening With Legends is a fabulous experience where David Foster will take to the piano with wife Katharine McPhee belting out the scores of iconic tunes that the duo have written and produced over the decades. This event shows how music has the power to give guests fun and good feelings at galas or signature fundraising events so they talk about your event for years to come.
In this episode, Susan and Shelly talk about a wide range of topics including tips on attracting the right celebrities and high-profile individuals to your signature fundraising event, how to get the most fun possible out of your signature fundraising event, and ways to create a devoted following for your annual gala.
How does a nonprofit successfully create a signature fundraising event around a major cultural event? Today, I talk with Chris Denney, Director of Advancement, and Tiffany Divis, President and CEO of the Turtle Creek Conservancy to discuss their signature fundraising event Day At The Races.
Celebrating its 16th year, Day At The Races is a Kentucky Derby-themed party held in the early evening on the first Saturday in May to coincide with the annual run for the roses at Churchill Downs. Held on the Turtle Creek Park grounds each year, funds raised from the event benefit the Turtle Creek Conservancy, which manages Turtle Creek Park, a public greenspace in the heart of Dallas that patrons and residents have been using for over 100 years.
In this episode, Chris and Tiffany talk about a wide range of topics including creating a devoted following for your signature fundraising event, how to effectively utilize the most majestic parts of your space at signature fundraising events to recruit more donors, and ways the team keeps adding new twists to keep the event lively and fun each year. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does a nonprofit successfully incorporate their mission at their annual gala to help major donors connect with the organization? Today, I talk with Brandon Bell, General Manager and Suzanne Sippel, Director of Invidual Giving at DACAMERA to talk about their signature fundraising event DACAMERA Gala 2024.
DACAMERA provides innovative concert experiences that connect music with literature and the visual arts. Many of the concerts hosted by the organization are held in unique spaces that make each concert performance all the more special. This year's event is made all the more special as it will celebrate Artistic Director Sarah Rothenberg's 30th anniversary with the organization.
In this episode, Brandon and Suzanne talk about a wide range of topics including partnering with an event venue to create a memorable menu that ties in with the event theme, tips on offering unique activations that keep donors and guests engaged throughout the event, and how having a fun, unique theme creates buzz and excitement for your annual gala or signature fundraising event.
What does it take for a nonprofit to host a top live auction that raises millions for an organization? On today's special episode, I talk with Heath Hale, owner of Cowboy Auctioneer and the lead auctioneer for Texas' largest annual nonprofit signature fundraising event, Mack, Jack & McConaughey.
Heath and his team of over a dozen auctioneers raised over $50 million through nonprofit live auctions in 2023. The largest of which was a jaw-dropping $8 million at Mack, Jack, & McConaughey with the proceeds benefiting five children's oriented nonprofits.
In this episode, Heath talks about a fun range of topics including tips on establishing a good relationship with an auctioneer, finding the right live auction items that resonate with your audience, and how he creates emotional ties to the cause that compel donors to give more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does a nonprofit raise large sums of money through a signature fundraising event that consists entirely of small, intimate events? Today, I talk with Cara Abazari, Director of Community Affairs at St. David's Foundation, and Tobie Funte, Chair of the organization's signature fundraising event, Toast of the Town.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Toast of the Town party series is a one-of-a-kind signature fundraiser. Each year, St. David's Foundation hosts 20 bespoke events ranging from 10-50 people in one month that is a mix of experiences, guest speakers, and celebrity guests. The result: an event that raises over $1.5 million each year for the foundation Neal Kocurek Scholarship Fund.
In this episode, Cara and Tobie talk about a wide range of topics including the importance of having a strong relationship between the organization and the event chair, the ways the event has evolved over the past 40 years, and how the team curates the 20 unique party experiences each year. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How do champions on the field fundraise for their community like champions off (and on) the field? Today, I talk with Karin Morris, Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation to talk about the upcoming The TEX Gala.
Over the past several years, the foundation arm of the reigning World Series champions has hosted a seven-figure fundraising gala held on Globe Life Field that brings together sports enthusiasts, top musical acts, A-list celebrities, and philanthropists to create an unforgettable night benefiting youth, relief, and military/first responders causes in North Texas.
In this episode, Karin provides great insights on a range of topics including how to make a large space feel intimate, the ways the organization partners with nonprofits in their area, and utilizing the Rangers first-ever World Series win to draw more donors.
How does a nonprofit create an event that has its guests highly engaged long before the event begins? Today, I talk with three special guests to talk about the upcoming Mad Hatter's Luncheon benefitting the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum: Event Chair, Allison Brodnax, Board President Karen Sargent, and Event Producer Jan Strimple.
Mad Hatter's is one of the most inventive events you will ever go to. All the attendees wear a hat around the theme of the event. This year's theme: Gardens of Greece, will feature hundreds sporting elaborate hats inspired by the beautiful country where attendees can enter their hats into one of six hat-judging categories.
In this episode, husbands Allison, Karen, and Jan provide great insights on a range of topics including the importance of having your chair fully behind the theme of your event, how everyone dressed up in unique attire can help facilitate conversation, and how effectively engage a production partner when producing a fashion show at your event. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does a small community effectively draw donors from around the area to their gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Reenie Harwood Collins and Linda Plant, who are the co-chairs for the upcoming Round Top Festival Institute Gala.
The smallest incorporated town in Texas, Round Top is a town of approximately 90 residents known primarily as a destination for quality antiques. The town also features the Round Top Festival Institute, a grand performance concert venue founded by James Dick that hosts top musical prodigies from around the world each year for their annual Summer program. Completed in 2007, the space crafted entirely by hand (yes you read that correctly) rivals any 19th Century Viennese Opera House in terms of quality and acoustics.
In this episode, Reenie and Linda provide great insights on a range of topics including how to galvanize your entire community to be a part of your gala, how event chairs successfully collaborate with the founder of an organization, and the concept of creating a "non-gala, gala".
How does an organization create a signature fundraising event that is one of the hottest tickets in town year after year? Today, I talk with Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfield, who are the co-chairs for the upcoming Art Ball 2024 benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art.
The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the world's premier art museums featuring works from Monet, Van Gough, Matisse and more. Each Spring, DMA hosts its annual Art Ball, which has drawn top art patrons from around the world since its first ball in 1962.
In this episode, husbands Andy and Paul provide great insights on a range of topics including the importance of having a fun theme that draws patrons to your event, tips on successfully co-chairing a gala with your spouse, and creating an epic after-party that has guests staying at your signature fundraising event well into the night. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does an organization successfully host an event that provides funds to multiple nonprofits to maximizes a positive impact on their community?
Today, I talk with THE BIG GOOD co-founder Kelsey Patterson about their upcoming annual flagship fundraising event THE BIG GOOD, which benefits three organizations in North Texas: The Tarrant To & Through Partnership, United Community Centers, and UpSpire.
THE BIG GOOD, is an organization founded by Gary and Kelsey Patterson & Leon Bridges that assesses key need gaps in the North Texas community. The organization works with select nonprofit partners in the area through three-year partnerships to provide maximum community impact.
In this episode, Kelsey provides great insights on a range of topics including effectively engaging celebrities for your gala, how combining sport and music at your event enhances the guest experience for your donors, and ways that a comfortable, casual-chic vibe entices donors to give more generously.
How does an organization successfully attract a wide range of people throughout the donor community to a signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Scotty Sayers and Two-Time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw about the upcoming Imagine Muny Gala benefitting The Muny Conservancy.
The Muny Conservancy is an organization seeking to preserve Lions Municipal Golf Course, a 141-acre greenspace just west of downtown Austin. The organization's first gala in 2022, was a million-dollar night that brought an incredible mix of people from throughout the Austin community including art patrons, merchants, sports fans, musicians, politicians, nature lovers, and many more.
In this episode, Ben and Scotty provide great insights on a range of topics including the importance of preserving historical green spaces, what goes into creating a lightning-in-a-bottle inaugural event, and utilizing a historic space in new and unique ways.
How does an organization successfully raise $10 million online in 24 hours to benefit the entire community? Today, I talk with Piper Stege Nelson, CEO of I Live Here I Give Here to talk about Amplify Austin Day.
Amplify Austin is a platform of over 700 nonprofits from seven counties in Central Texas. Over 24 hours each March, tens of thousands in the Austin area give small and large dollar contributions with the net result being over $10 million raised for these nonprofits in the Central Texas region.
In this episode, Piper provides great insights on a range of topics including tips on obtaining matching grants for your event, the importance of encouraging and engaging young people to give back at an early age, and how to look at nonprofits as an interconnected network to help maximize fundraising. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does an organization create a signature fundraising gala with a very large, multi-generational following? Today, I talk with Helping Hand Home Board President Beth Plater, as well as Kerianne Oliver and Jennifer Ramberg, co-chairs of the upcoming annual signature fundraising event, Crystal Ball.
Crystal Ball is the largest nonprofit gala in Austin each year, drawing over 2,000 people with guests ranging from 5 to 105 years old. The event raises over $2,000,000 with proceeds going towards programs to provide a safe haven for children experiencing neglect, abuse, or abandonment.
In this episode, Beth, Kerianne, and Jennifer provide great insights on a range of topics including how to create a strong board of directors AND a a strong advisory board, how board leadership successfully works with event chairs, and tips on creating a successful event that draws people of all ages.
How does a nonprofit create fun, impactful, and visually appealing event that provides an unforgettable experience for donors? Today, I talk with Asia Society's Vice President of Development Saleena Jafry, and Vice President of Communications Stephanie Todd-Wong about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event Tiger Ball 2024: Celebrating Magnificent Asia.
Tiger Ball is an annual, seven-figure gala in Houston and one of Texas' most anticipated annual nonprofit signature fundraising events. Proceeds raised from Tiger Ball go towards furthering The Asia Society's mission of navigating shared futures for Asia and the world across policy, arts and culture, education, sustainability, business, and technology.
In this episode, Saleena and Stephanie provide great insights on a range of topics including advice on starting a chapter of an organization in a new city, the importance of having great relationships with event chairs, and tips on creating fun, innovative themes that keep donors coming back year after year.
How does an organization find an honorary chair who attracts top honorees and gala event chairs year after year? Today, I talk with Jan Bullock, who for 20 years has been the honorary chair of the Texas Independence Day Dinner at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, which is named in honor of her late husband, former Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock.
Each year, this million-dollar night honors two History-Making Texans who have made an impact on the world. Honorees at this event have included Hall-of-Fame athletes, legendary broadcasters, three former First Ladies, and two former Presidents.
In this episode, Jan provides great insights on a range of topics including how the dinner started, creating a successful event people want to attend year after year, and making the ask to get honorees at the highest levels to say yes.
How does a nonprofit create a theme for its signature fundraising event that guarantees a one-of-a-kind experience year after year? Today, I talk with Hamilton Sneed, Founder of HAS Events. Hamilton is the event producer for the upcoming Symphony of Chefs benefitting Kidlinks. The event features top chefs from the Dallas/Fort Worth area who provide bespoke menus for each individual table at the event.
In this episode, Hamilton provides great insights on a range of topics including tips on how to get multiple people in the same field to say yes to your signature event, tips on optimizing your event budgets, and what all successful fundraising events have in common.
How does a nonprofit create a successful relationship with an event planner that results in unforgettable gala or signature fundraising events year after year? Today, I talk with Houston Ballet Senior Director of Events and Individual Giving, Alexandra Yates and legendary event producer Richard Flowers, Owner of The Events Company to talk about the upcoming Houston Ballet Ball.
In this episode, Alexandra and Richard provide great insights on a range of topics including tips on how a nonprofit can create a successful, long-term relationship with an event producer, what all successful events have in common, and the importance of creating wow moments at an event that entices donors to come back to your event year after year. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
How does a nonprofit successfully create a different and fun theme for a signature fundraising event every year? Today, I talk with Junior League of Houston President, Amanda Hanks Bayles about their upcoming 76th Annual Charity Ball. Long one of Houston's most popular signature fundraising galas, the organization has done a different theme for every one of their 76 events.
In this episode, Amanda provides great insights on a range of topics including ways to create a successful network of volunteers, how the organization selects which nonprofits to support, and tips on how to create a large, devoted following for an organizations signature fundraising event.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States