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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
70 Episodes
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What is one of the most critical things you can do to host a successful event? Find an emcee that sets the tone you want to set to ensure the event's success. Today, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan joins me to talk with media personality and presenter Holly Mills-Gardner.
Holly Mills-Gardner is one of the very best emcees in the business. Over the past 25 years, she has emceed hundreds of high-profile nonprofit, corporate, and live events for everything ranging from local charities to events hosted by former presidents and cabinet secretaries.
In this episode, Holly provides so many invaluable insights on numerous topics on the many ways that an emcee is your most valuable event asset...including tips on how to find the right emcee for your event, why you should set aside a budget to hire a quality event emcee, and tips on what to look for when organizations are looking to have co-emcees. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
What does it take host a successful Fund-A-Need to help your gala meet its fundraising goals? Today, I talk with TK Kenney, Founder & Principal Auctioneer of Astounding Auctions, as well as the auctioneer for the Dell Children's Ball.
Dell Children's Ball made the decision post-COVID to pivot to a Fund-A-Need from the traditional Auction and/or Auction + Fund-A-Need model. TK's skills allowed Dell Children's to raise $1 million at this year's Fund-A-Need...in a room with less than 500 guests. The 2024 Dell Children's Ball raised a record-breaking $3,000,000 for the organization.
In this episode, TK provides so many invaluable insights on hosting a successful Fund-A-Need including how organizations successfully partner with auctioneers, the importance of knowing the donors in the room in advance of the event, and how to effectively utilize a donor match to drive up the bidding of donors. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
What does it take to successfully host a gala or signature fundraising event when you unexpectedly have to change the venue...with 48 hours notice? Today, I talk with Jessica Cardenas, Director of Annual Giving for The Seton Fund, and Event Producer Maryam Fernandez about the organization's signature fundraising event: Elizabeth Ann Seton Board's La Dolce Vita.
La Dolce Vita, one of Austin's most popular al fresco events, usually held at Camp Mabry Military Base, was forced to move at the last minute when the rain plan evolved into a likely severe weather outbreak that required them to spring into action to find a new venue and produce the event with 48 hours notice. The ensemble pulled together to find a new venue, successfully execute the event, and raise $1.34 million in the process.
In this episode, Jessica and Maryam provide so many important insights on what it takes to pull off a list-minute move. The two more important things are trust and communication. With that as a foundation, we dive into the three steps to successfully execute the last-minute move: finding a new venue, coordinating with vendors, and engaging your donors, sponsors, and attendees. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
What does it take to create a successful rebrand of your organization that retains legacy donors while bringing in new donors? Today, I talk with Karen Hughes, President and CEO of Vogel, about the organization's recent rebrand and their signature fundraising event: The 32nd Annual Art Performance Event featuring a concert by Barenaked Ladies.
Vogel provides educational, health, and family support services to homeless children in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The organization recently completed a successful rebrand and has expanded services to new areas within the region.
In this episode, Karen provides a wealth of insights including key actions to successfully rebrand your organization, successfully moving your signature fundraising event to a new part of a city, and important areas of your signature fundraising events to outsource to counteract any last-minute disruptions. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
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.
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