Elevate Your Event

AI isn’t just writing emails anymore—it’s reshaping how nonprofits plan events, engage donors, and run their entire fundraising operation. In this episode of Elevate Your Event , Jeff Porter and Mark Laba are joined by Handbid’s VP of Software Development, Taylor Romero , to unpack what “agentic AI” actually means—and why it’s a game-changer for lean nonprofit teams. From automating sponsorship ou...

Most fundraising events won’t fail in 2026 because donors changed. They’ll fall short because the experience didn’t. In this “home team” conversation, we call out what organizations are still getting wrong—and what the best teams are already doing differently. From the death of the “hybrid event” as a livestream add-on, to why “simpler” events aren’t a trend (they’re a correction), this episode is...

Jeff Porter is joined by Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritas Group , a fundraising consulting firm that helps nonprofits build stronger donor pipelines—from donor acquisition and retention to mid-level growth, major gifts, and planned giving. With nearly four decades of fundraising experience, Jeff shares a practical framework for how events should support (not replace) long-term donor...

Episode summary If you’ve ever wished your fundraiser felt less like a hotel ballroom and more like an immersive, memorable experience, this episode is for you. Jeff Porter sits down with Nezhdeh Parsanj, co-owner of Opus Event Rentals, to talk about how thoughtful design, specialty rentals, creative lighting, and intentional photo moments can reshape any event—no matter the venue. With 20 years i...

It’s back! In Handbid’s third annual holiday episode, the Handbid Team go head-to-head in a Christmas trivia showdown. From classic movies and carols to oddball folklore and Bible deep cuts, this episode is pure festive chaos—in the best way. Play along, keep score, and steal a few trivia ideas for your own holiday party or year-end event. Who this episode is for Nonprofit leaders, event planners,...

Matching gifts are one of the fastest ways to grow event revenue—without asking donors for more than they’ve already given. Colleen Carroll from Double the Donation breaks down how employer matching works, why up to $4–$7B goes unclaimed every year, and simple ways to bake matching into your pre-event, night-of, and post-event workflow. We also cover the Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation integration...

Episode summary ’Tis the season… to plan smarter. The Home Team swap holiday menu takes (turkey wars!) and then get practical about running fundraising events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. From low-lift “open house” formats to creative themes and revenue add-ons, they break down how to cut through a crowded calendar, boost attendance, and tie event moments to year-end giving without turning...

Adapt or Die: Keeping Your Fundraising Events Fresh and Engaging Welcome to Elevate Your Event—the ultimate podcast for fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit pros who want to take their events to the next level. Hosted by the team at Handbid, this show dives into real-world fundraising strategies, auction best practices, donor engagement tips, event tech trends, and stories from the people ma...

Creating an Immersive Event Experience: Art, Music, and Guest Magic with Sky Madden This week on Elevate Your Event , we are joined by Sky Madden—owner of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre and Executive Director of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Greenwood Village, CO—for a conversation about creating events that are anything but ordinary.  Fiddler’s isn’t just a concert venue—it’s a piece of living art,...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! This week, the Handbid Home Team digs into a topic every auction planner needs to hear: why some items soar—and others totally flop. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to knowing your crowd. Whether you're tossing in zoo passes, weekend getaways, or a family photo session, what works for one event could bomb at another. The team brings stories from real events, da...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! This week, Jeff Porter sits down with Shilpa Alva, founder and executive director of Search for Water. What started as a party-loving 20-something’s social gatherings grew into a global nonprofit tackling water access, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia. Shilpa’s journey shows how a single event can spark an international m...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! We’ve hit triple digits—and we're celebrating big. In this 100th episode, Jeff and Mark reflect on the journey so far, revisit fan-favorite moments, and take you behind the scenes with hilarious stories, heartfelt lessons, and a brutally funny AI-generated roast of Handbid's own Jeff Porter. In This Episode: A nostalgic look back at standout episodes and special...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this behind-the-scenes episode, Jeff sits down with David Farmer, Area Director for FCA South Denver, to explore how intentional event design, bold decisions, and donor-focused experiences have transformed FCA’s fundraising efforts. In This Episode: The early days of FCA South Denver events—from small golf tournaments to first attempts at galas Why cultivatin...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event ! In this episode, Jeff and Elise sit down with Dan Donovan from Stratoscope to unpack the often-overlooked world of event security—and why getting it right is critical for both guest experience and event success. In This Episode: How decades of experience at the Olympics, Formula One Las Vegas, Dreamforce, and other major events shaped Dan’s approach to security...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event ! In this episode, Jeff, Elise, and the Handbid team come together for an insider conversation on what’s coming next for Handbid and the most requested features from clients and the team alike. In This Episode: The top feature requests from Handbid clients—what’s coming and why it matters How custom questions for for-sale items can simplify merchandise sales The...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this insightful episode, Jeff is joined once again by Mitch Stein from Chariot to break down the often misunderstood world of donor-advised funds (DAFs). From debunking myths to sharing real-life success stories, they dive into how DAFs can revolutionize giving at your fundraising events—and how the Handbid and Chariot integration makes it easier than ever. I...

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event ! In this forward-looking episode, Jeff, Elise, and Shania take a deep dive into how mobile app technology can transform the arrival experience at fundraising events. In This Episode: The evolution of mobile and native app technology since the early iPhone days—and why it matters for events The difference between “lean forward” and “lean back” user engagement Why...

Starting a nonprofit can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff with a parachute you’ve never packed. In this episode, Jeff, Inga, and Mark sit down with Matt Stockman to unpack his six-part framework—the Nonprofit Launch Plan—that helps emerging nonprofits go from overwhelmed to organized.   What You’ll Learn: Why most nonprofit founders are driven by mission, but held back by a lack of struct...

In this fun and candid episode, Mark, Elise, and Jeff recap Handbid’s 19th annual Derby Fundraiser, highlighting what went well, what could be improved, and how they continue to elevate their signature event each year. From logistical tweaks to food upgrades, the team walks us through the behind-the-scenes moments that made this year’s Derby Day a hit. Episode Highlights: New Betting Software: Han...

In this episode of Elevate Your Event , we’re joined by Kimberly Tittle, Executive Director of 15|40 Productions, who brings over two decades of expertise in crafting unforgettable events. Kimberly dives deep into what it really takes to elevate guest experiences—from arrival to farewell. She shares how a thoughtful blend of technology and human connection can make or break an event, and why guest...

This episode flips the script. No guests. No panels. Just Jeff and Mark diving deep into the history and evolution of one of Denver’s most unique fundraising events: Derby Day at Fiddler’s Green. What started as a backyard party nearly two decades ago is now a full-blown, high-end experience with fire pits, LED screens, custom cocktails, and serious fundraising power. Jeff shares how the event has...

In this episode, our guest Graeme Watt introduces the Strategic Inevitability Framework —a powerful tool designed to help nonprofits bring clarity, focus, and follow-through to their strategic plans. Graeme shares why it’s crucial to set clear goals, build accountability, and focus on fewer, high-impact actions to drive meaningful progress. He also dives into the importance of celebrating wins, co...

In this episode of Elevate Your Event , we sit down with Scott Dishong , CEO of Make-A-Wish Colorado , to explore how his team brings hope and joy to children with critical illnesses. From unique wishes (like a robotic dragon!) to the massive impact of student-led fundraising, Scott shares insights into what makes Make-A-Wish so special. We also dive into fundraising strategies , including how Mak...

Episode Summary: Your event was a hit—but how do you keep donors engaged after the night is over? In this episode of Elevate Your Event , we dive into the must-know strategies for donor retention. From capturing donor data at check-in to creating meaningful touchpoints throughout the year, we’re breaking down practical ways to keep supporters connected. Plus, we discuss why making small improvemen...

Episode Summary: Welcome back to the Elevate Your Event podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the power of text messaging for fundraising with special guest James Martin from RallyCorp. If you’ve ever struggled with low email open rates or declining donor engagement, you’ll want to hear how SMS can transform the way you connect with supporters. James shares his journey from building a conten...