Fun In Fundraising

How does an organization successfuly host a milestone signature fundraising event that honors the past, celebrates the present, and provides vision for the future?   Today, I talk with CASA of Travis County Director of Development Erin Kozma as well as Kelly Kopecky and Rachel Pry, co-chairs of CASABlanca, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event. CASA of Travis County provides child...

How does an organization successfuly work with an event chair in a way that resepects the organization while putting a personal stamp on an event?  Today, I talk with Camp for All Development Director Mary Beth Mosley and Paul Palmer, co-chair of the Krewe de Kamp for All, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event. Camp for All allows children and adults with special needs the opportu...

How can an organization successfully integrate talent into a gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I chat the very talented artist, musician, and philanthropist Mela Sarajane Dailey to find out. This Grammy Award-winning performer has dazzled audiences on professional and philanthropic stages for many years. During her career, she has entranced many a room with solo performances, sizzle stag...

What are the secrets to moderating engaging conversations with a high-profile, headline guest at your event?  Today, I talk with Mark Updegrove , President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation to find out. Over the years, Mark has interviewed and/or moderated conversations with seven former Presidents including the late Jimmy Carter.  In addition to speaking with Presidents, he has also moderated conve...

What are the secrets to making live auctions fun, interesting, and successful?  Today, I talk with one of the top auctioneers in the world, Lydia Fenet, Founder & CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency to find out. After a highly-successful 25-year career as an auctioneer at Christie's , Lydia started her own auction firm, the Lydia Fenet Agency. Over the past 25 years, auctions she has helmed have rai...

What are the keys to getting publicity before and after an event?  Today, I talk three top Public Relations Professionals Cynthia Smoot, Founder of Gangway Advertising , Jesse Parker Stowell, Founder of Parker|Phoenix Public Relations , and Dancie Perugini Ware, Founder of Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations to find out. These three pros are among the very best in obtaining publicity for the non...

What are the secrets to hosting fabulous events that have your guests talking about them long after they end?  Today I talk with event producer to the stars, Steve Kemble to find out. A top event producer of five-star events for decades, Steve has produced hundreds, if not thousands of events including galas, weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. His positive attitude and penchan...

What are the keys to hosting epic holiday events that have guests talking about them well into the new year?  Today, special guest co-host Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with Stephanie Nass, author of Swing By!: Entertaining Recipes & the New Art of Gathering .  Founder of the culinary lifestyle Chefanie, Stephanie has hosted successful events and gathering for years. She has put her expertise...

How does an organization get majors donors actively involved in their signature fundraising event months in advance?  Today, I talk with Bridget Ramey and Amy Beard, co-chairs of the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Austin benefiting the Center for Child Protection . One of Austin's top fundraising events each year, Dancing with the Stars features 12 local (and national) celebrities who are paired...

How does an organization effectively engage with high-profile individuals to obtain top-level talent to headline their gala or signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Chief Development Officer of the Andy Roddick Foundation , Michael Kitner about the organization's upcoming signature event the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala. The Andy Roddick Foundation works to expand opportunities for youn...

How does an organization host multiple successful signature fundraising events throughout the year that appeals to different aspects of their donor base?   Today, I talk with Joni Krieg, the event chair for the upcoming Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden's A Writers Garden and the events strategic advisor, Dorothea Melzer. Each year, A Writer's Garden give donors and memb...

How does a gala or signature fundraising event effectively utilize receipients to help recruit and sustain new donors in an authentic, organic way?   Today, I talk with Meredith Allen Connally and Liz Scott, Regional Development Officers for Folds of Honor and Liz Brees, a recipient of the organizations services. Folds of Honor is an organization that provides scholarships to families of fallen or...

How does an organization create fun, inventive themes year after year that keeps donors continually engaged and surprised?  Today, I talk with Allison Chávez and Whitney Burns, co-chairs of the upcoming Children's Museum Houston Noir Ball Held at The Corinthian , one of the most beautiful event spaces in Texas, the Children's Museum Houston event leaders and co-chairs continue to dazzle and lure d...

How does an organization effectively vet guest speakers for a signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with President & CEO of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation , Julie Baker Finck to discuss one of the organization's upcoming signature fundraising events, The Power of Literacy Luncheon. The organization was founded in honor of the late First Lady's passionate commitment to provi...

How does an organization successfully rebrand it's signature fundraising event to evolve with the organization?  Today, I talk with The Rise School Of Austin's Director of Development and Marketing, Rachel Parr Booth to talk about their upcoming signature fundraising event Shine For Rise . The Rise School of Austin is a pre-school that creates an inclusive learning environment for children of dive...

How can an organization host a highly successful fundraiser as counterprogramming to another popular event?  Today, I talk with the Center For Child Protection's Director of Donor Relations Amy Cranfill and Events Manager Kirby Cathey about the organization's annual Play Bingo Ladies Luncheon . Held on a Saturday morning each year, the Play Bingo Ladies Luncheon is one of Austin's most popular fun...

How can an organization effectively draw multiple generations of their community to their annual gala or signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Katherine Farmer-Thornhill and Gary Farmer, co-chairs of the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy's annual Glow In The Park Gala. This father-daughter duo is leading one of Austin's most notable and fun al fresco events. Guests will be on hand for a gre...

How can an organization use an annual calendar reveal to create a popular nonprofit fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation Development Director Laura Stein and Elizabeth Stein, co-chair of Red Hot Gala 2024, the organization's signature fundraising event. Started shortly before the pandemic, the Red Hot Gala has quickly became a...

How does an organization implement an effective leadership and communications strategy to create a successful gala or signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Chris Luna, President & Chief Executive Officer of the SPCA of Texas , and Maura Davies, the organization's Vice President of Marketing Communications. The SPCA of Texas is the region's leading animal welfare organization. The or...

How does an organization create a single fundraising event has a devoted following not just year after year, but decade after decade?  Today, I talk with Carmen Holmes, Chief Development Officer of The Family Place , and Clarisa Lindenmeyer, co-chair of the 28th annual Texas Trailblazers Awards Luncheon .  The Family Place is Texas' largest service agency devoted to eradicating domestic family vio...

How do you turn a small, intimate brunch into a seven-figure fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Sky High For Kids Founder and CEO Brittany Franklin about the organization's signature fundraising event Ladies Who Brunch. Ladies who Brunch began as an small brunch for a couple of dozen people where Brittany could get to know the spouses of her board members better. Over the years, the event has...

What does it take successfully engage your audience at a gala or signature fundraising event that features multiple acts in an evening?  Today, I talk with Dallas Symphony Orchestra Director of Events and Volunteer Services J. Denton Bricker and Patrick Means, co-chair of the 2024 Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala. Long of of North Texas' most popular and successful annual galas, the Dallas Symphony...

What does it take for an organization to run a successful gala and get to the all-time the $100 milliion fundraising mark?  Today, I talk with 2024 Cattle Baron's Ball co-chairs Lora Farris and Marjon Zabihi Henderson. The largest single-night fundraiser each year for the American Cancer Society , the Cattle Baron's Ball has been one of Dallas' (and the country's) most popular and successful galas...

How can steady and passionate leadership help take your gala or signature fundraiser to become a must-attend event that raises seven figures?  Today, I talk with Texas Advocacy Project CEO Heather Bellino about the organization's signature fundraising event The Black & White Ball. For over 20 years, Heather's tireless advocacy and passion to provide free legal services to survivors of dating a...

How does a successful gala celebrate a milestone to honor key people who have made the event a success?   Today, I talk with Lisa Tynan, the Events Manager for Houston PetSet about the 20th Annual Fierce & Fabulous Soirée . Founded by nationally known animal advocates Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust, Houston PetSet has long been one of the city's most anticipated annual signature fundr...