Fun In Fundraising

What are the keys to creating a successful foundation arm for your organization that allows you to create a broad impact on the community it serves? Today, I talk with Kaitlin Mauro, Executive Director of the 4ATX Foundation to talk about the organization's signature fundraising event, the A Night In Verde Gala . Celebrating its 5th year, the A Night In Verde Gala has quickly become one of Austin'...

How does an organization host a successful kickoff party to keep guests excited about...and sets the tone for your upcoming gala or signature fundraising event?   Today, I talk with Jenny Todd, Vice President at the American Cancer Society to talk about one of their upcoming signature fundraising events: The 2025 Houston Cattle Baron's Ball .  The American Cancer Society is the nation's leading ca...

What are the keys to getting your board fully engaged in an annual gala or signature fundraising event?   Today, I talk with Sarah Gilbreath, Central Texas Board Chair for Imagine A Way , to talk about their upcoming annual Imagine A Way Gala: Mad Money for A Mission. Imagine A Way provides critical services for families who have children living with autism. Since its founding in 2007, the organiz...

How can an organization effectively utilize event software to elevate the experience for your event guests?  In today's episode, I talk with Co-Founder and CEO of BetterUnite , Leya Simmons to talk about how event software is a core, critical component to any successful event. Since its founding in 2017, BetterUnite "helps the helpers" in taking their nonprofit fundraising events to new heights. I...

What are the keys to creating an effective media and promotion strategy for your event?  In today's episode, I talk Vice President of Public Relations for Children's Museum Houston , Henry Yau. Hosting over 90 events per year ranging from community family events, to million-dollar black-tie galas, Henry and Children's Museum Houston are the gold standard in creating effective event publicity for e...

What are the keys to creating a great signature cocktails that help you set the tone for your event?  In today's episode, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with Kara Newman , Spirits Editor for Wine Enthusiast and author of The Cocktail Cabinet . The Cocktail Cabinet features two different books: one about gin, the other about whiskey. Instead of a traditional book, each of the t...

How does a great event photographer an essential part of any successful gala or signature fundraising event? They serve as the eyes of the event. In today's episode, I talk with two of the very best event photographers in Texas, Tamytha Cameron and Celeste Cass .  For many years, this mother-daughter duo has photographed just about every high-profile and successful nonprofit gala in North Texas. T...

What are the keys to creating a dynamic, dazzling live auction that both raises a lot of money and has guests talking about your gala...and auction long after your event has ended? In today's episode, I talk with one of the very best auctioneers in the business, Bobby D. Ehlert, Co-Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspire Hearts Fundraising . Over the past 25+ years, Bobby D. has helmed...

What are the keys to creating a strong partnership between philanthropic organizations and beneficiaries to maximize impact in the communities they serve? There are no two better people to discuss this topic than today's guests: Jennifer Stevens , event producer for Mack, Jack, and McConaughey and Susan Hewlett, the Executive Director for the Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation . For the pas...

How does an organization effectively showcase how the funds raised from a signature fundraising event benefit the community they serve? In this episode, I talk with Laura Ward, Founder, President & CEO of Houston Children's Charity to discuss the organization's upcoming Chariots for Children event. For nearly 30 years, Houston Children's Charity has been one of Houston's top nonprofit events....

How does having a strong event committee help event chairs successfully execute their vision for a gala or signature fundraising event?   Today, I talk with Holly Krug, Board Development Chair for The Family Place , and Jess Bass Bolander, and Melissa Keeling, co-chairs of ReuNight one of the  organization's signature fundraising events. Featuring one of North Texas' strongest event committees, Re...

What are the keys to hosting a successful fashion and runway show at your gala or signature fundraising event?   Today, I talk with Jacob Samson and Payton Martin, co-chairs of DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising event House of DIFFA 2025: Dreamstate . Over the past several decades, DIFFA has consistently been one of Texas' most anticipated, successful, fun, and fashionable signature fundraising e...

How can an arts organization consistently attract top talent and inspire top donors at their annual gala or signature fundraising event? In this episode, I talk with Craig Hella Johnson , Founder & Artistic Director of the multi-GRAMMY AWARD®-winning ensemble Conspirare , to discuss their signature fundraising event, Hidden Music. For over 30 years, Conspirare has captivated audiences with pow...

What are the keys getting prominent philanthropists in your community to say yes?   Today, I talk with Eric Lindh, CEO of Equest & James and Kristin Hallam, co-chairs of the organization's signature fundraising event, the Blue Ribbon Gala.  Equest provides equine therapy for individuals aged two and over to help them cope with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. For over 40 years, th...

What are the keys to success in starting a foundation that honors a departed loved one?   Today, I talk with Jamie Broach Byrd, Founder of The Broach Foundation For Brain Cancer Research and Deanna Kotrla, Executive Director of the organization to talk about the 13th annual Stand Up For Brain Cancer Gala. The Broach Foundation was started in honor of Jamie's late husband, James Broach, who succumb...

How does an organization create fun, inventive themes that creates a loyal following for an annual signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Performing Arts Houston Director of Development Jordan Drum to talk about the organization's annual signature fundraising event, The Kaleidoscope Ball: Rhapsody in Blue . For nearly 60 years, Performing Arts Houston connected audiences with exceptional...

How does an organization be a part of two highly successful signature fundraising events that are within a few weeks of one another? Today, I talk with HeartGift CEO Christy Casey-Moore and Vice President of Marketing and Fund Development, Kristi Jones to talk about their annual signature fundraising event, the HeartGift Gala. HeartGift provides life-saving congenital heart defect surgeries to chi...

How does an organization effectively evolve its signature fundraising event so it remains a must-attend event year after year? Today, I talk with Jennifer Arthur, CEO of the Children's Cancer Fund and Children's Cancer Fund Board Member Shannon McGough to talk about the Children's Cancer Fund 35th Anniversary Gala . Over the past 35 years, the Children's Cancer Fund has raised millions to fulfill...

How does an organization effectively host a signature fundraising event that draws top professionals during the workday? Today, I talk with Tandra Allen, President of the Junior League Of Dallas , and Lauren Combest, co-chair for the organizations signature fundraising event, The Milestones Luncheon .  Over the past 103 years, the Junior League of Dallas has cultivated several generations of femal...

How can does an organization effectively prepare an host a successful outdoor gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Monica Enriquez Clem, Sr. Director of Development of the Memorial Park Conservancy to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, The Park Ball . For over 100 Years, residents of Houston and visitors from around the world have enjoyed this 1,...

How does an organization effectively partner with an outside event planner to carry out their vision for an annual gala or signauture fundraising event? Today, I talk with Allison Reeves, Director of Special Events for the Houston Grand Opera , and Katherine Cunningham, Associate Director of Special Events for the Houston Grand Opera to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising...

How can an business successfully create a foundation or nonprofit arm of their organization create a positive impact in their community? Today, I talk with Hannah Turner, Sr. Director of Corporate Responsibility and Executive Director of the Dallas Maverick's Foundation  to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, the Mavs Ball . Celebrating it's 10th anniversary, the Ma...

How can a nonprofit transform any space in a way that effectively tells the story of the organization and inspires the audience to give more? Today, I talk with Bonna Kol, President of the Asia Society Texas Center and Rishi Varma, one of the co-chairs of Tiger Ball , the organization's signature fundraising events. This year's theme, Enchanting Shanghai will celebrate various aspects of both Shan...

How does a nonprofit and community leaders effectively use existing relationships to create a dynamic, fun, and compelling signature fundraising event that draws people from all corners of your community? Today, I talk with Scotty Sayers, Co-Chair of The Muny Conservancy and Suzanne Erickson, Director of Public Relations for the organizations upcoming signature fundraising event, Imagine Muny. The...

How does an nonprofit or commercial organization successfully get multiple high-profile individuals, community leaders, and celebrities to say yes and attend an organizations signature event? Today, I talk with Texas Cultural Trust CEO, Heidi Marquez Smith and Tania Schwartz, co-chair, the 2025 Texas Medal of Arts Awards, the organizations signature fundraising event. For the past 25 years, the Te...