Fun In Fundraising

In a special combined podcast of Fun In Fundraising and Success With Style, Rob Giardinelli and Lance Avery Morgan talk with Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper, the authors of the new book, Classical Shindig, from Susan Schadt Press available August 29. This elevated, insider’s look at special occasion entertaining is chock full of ideas for your own hosting. Come away with entertaining tips and tric...

How do you plan a successful gala on an accelerated timeline? The Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation 's new Chief Development Officer, Dan Perry chats with Rob today about how the organization was successfully able to not only move up the date With Liberty & Justice For All Dinner honoring cultural icon Willie Nelson . Dan talks about a variety of topics on what it takes to produce a successful...

How do you switch up the format of an already popular event to keep your audience guessing...and wanting more? Campaigns and Events Manager, for ZACH Theatre , Hunter Regian  chats with Rob today about how the organization was successfully able to update the format and create a new buzz for their signature fundraising event Red, Hot & Soul which was held in the Spring of 2023. Hunter talks abo...

How do you create programming that both speaks to people directly while having appeal to a wide audience? Bob Bursey, Executive & Artistic Director for Texas Performing Arts , chats with Rob today about how the organization creates a range of compelling artistic productions that gets people to come back year after year. Bob talks about a variety of topics to better understand your audience inc...

Today, Rob continues his conversation with  Curated Texan  Editor-In-Chief and Texas Luxury Consultants Founder Lance Avery Morgan for the second of two episodes talking about our favorite gala moments from the first half of 2023. Celebrating 20 years chronicling Texas' top nonprofit galas and signature, Lance has an unparalleled knowledge of what it takes to host an unforgettable gala, or signatu...

How do you choose from so many great gala moments from the first half of 2023? It starts by having two episodes to talk about it all.  Curated Texan  Editor-In-Chief and Texas Luxury Consultants Founder Lance Avery Morgan joins Rob for the first of two episodes talking about our favorite gala moments from the first half of 2023. Celebrating 20 years chronicling Texas' top nonprofit galas and signa...

How do you get additional mileage of your gala or signature fundraiser? It starts by having a great photographer that successfully captures your event. Today Rob talks with one of the best photographers in the business, Tyler Schmitt, owner of Mill Photography Studio , who regularly photographs many high-profile events including Mack, Jack & McConaughey and the Andy Roddick Foundation gala. Tyler...

How can you maximize the impact of the funds you raise at your annual gala or signature fundraiser?  Aging Mind Foundation  Board Treasurer, Derek Blount chats with Rob today about how the organization maximizes the funds raised throughout the year, including funds raised from their recent, successful gala titled Forget Me Not. Derek shares his insights on a wide range of topics including why the ...

How do you streamline your gala or signature fundraiser so that you can offer a better experience for your donors while maximizing the amount raised? Director of Annual Giving Megan Campuzano, for the  Dell Children's Foundation , chats with Rob today about how the organization was able to reduce the number of attendees while achieving a record fundraising amount of over $3 million for their recen...

How do you engage with your local media outlets to help get the word out for your gala or signature fundraising event? We couldn't think of a better person to ask than Cynthia Smoot , who is the social editor for several media outlets chronicling galas and signature fundraising events including  Curated Texan ,  Katy Trail Weekly , and  Park Cities Lifestyle . Cynthia shares her expertise on sever...

On this combined special edition of  Fun In Fundraising  and  Success With Style  podcasts, join hosts Rob Giardinelli and Lance Avery Morgan  for a fun, lively, and inspiring chat with Dallasite-turned New York designer  Lela Rose . Not only is she the insider fashionista’s fan favorite, but also she has a gorgeous new entertaining book, Fresh Air Affairs , from  Rizzoli USA  where she shares tip...

Joyce Goss is the honorary chair for the 10th annual ReuNight for The Family Place , an organization that has helped victims of family violence in the North Texas region for 45 years. One of the best and most beloved fundraisers in Texas, she has supported and chaired many types of events over the years for a wide range of non-profits including medical, children's, arts, and family organizations. ...

How do you make opening night not only about the performance, but also an event that is a great way to engage donors and patrons? Vanessa Logan and Janna Hinebaugh from  Texas Ballet Theater  chat with us today about their Opening Night Dinners for the upcoming performances of Alice In Wonderland in Dallas and Fort Worth. Vanessa and Janna talk about the mission of Texas Ballet Theater, how to eff...

How do you celebrate a milestone for your non-profit organization in a way that is memorable and will leave your audience wanting more? That is what we talk about in this episode with Janet Adderley, the founder of The Adderly School . A performing arts school that empowers children to find their voices to stand confidently in the world, it features an impressive list of notable alumni including ...

Part of having your donors engaged is creating unique experiences they will never forget. Victoria McCullough and Jolie Cady from the Center for Child Protection are our guests today to talk about Ride Drive Give presented by The Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships . It offers donors the opportunity for to ride (as a passenger or in their own car!) on the  Circuit of The AmericasTM  racetrack, whic...

President of JHL Company  Jennifer Stevens is the event producer extraordinaire of  Mack, Jack & McConaughey . Hosted by legendary University of Texas football coach Mack Brown , country music star Jack Ingram , and Academy Award®-winning actor Matthew McConaughey , it is one of the TOP fundraising galas in Texas each year. It raises millions to empower children with proceeds going to five partner...

A signature fundraiser, or a gala with a great theme, always makes an event more fun and engaging such a Derby-themed party celebrating  The Kentucky Derby . Kirsten Herrscher, the incoming president of Bo's Place, joins us to talk about their upcoming signature fundraiser,  Hearts, Hats & Horseshoes: A Kentucky Derby Affair .  In this segment, Kirsten talks about how she became involved in the or...

Dr. Kelly Zúñiga the director of the Holocaust Museum of Houston , joins us to talk about the upcoming LBJ Moral Courage Award Dinner honoring Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi   2022 Nobel Peace Prize Nominees for their efforts in helping develop an affordable, easy to produce COVID-19 vaccine. In this segment, Kelly talks about the museum's recent expansion, the trait the organization...

Simone Wicha is the Director of the  Blanton Museum of Art , which is celebrates its 60th anniversary with a series of fantastic events highlighting this great milestone. The festivities kick-off with the biennial  2023 Blanton Gala -  Celebrating 60: A New Landscape , which will feature the unveiling of the Blanton Museum of Art’s new grounds. In this fun and informative segment, Simone offers a...

The Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum is celebrating a series of milestone's this year. In addition to the council's 40th anniversary, the organization is hosting The 35th Annual Majestic Mad Hatter's Luncheon  benefitting the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden . Each year, this storied event features some of the most creative and elaborate hats you will find anywhere. In this episode, Ro...

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation  will achieve the feat of hosting signature fundraising galas in each of the five largest Texas markets in a single month! This expanded episode features Melissa Pinkerton, development director for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's North Texas/Oklahoma Chapter and Amanda Mounts, market leader for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Southe...

Andra Liemandt  Founder of The Kindness Campaign , an organization that provides accessible emotional health curriculum to children and adults in homes and classrooms, talks with Rob about her organization's signature fundraiser, Art of Kindness. The event, held over two days, features a gala for sponsors and is followed-up by a community event where the organization provides 1,000 tickets to stud...

Lisa Cooley is the event chair of the upcoming 19th Annual  Texas Independence Day Dinner  at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum . The event, hosted by the Texas State History Museum Foundation , honors History Making Texans  including this year's recipients Admiral William H. McCraven and Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach . Lisa offers a sneak peak to this year's dinner as well as her...

Natasa and Michael Valocchi are the co-chairs of the inaugural Second Stage Theater's Winter's Ball in New York City, which supports playwrights from underserved and marginalized communities. This year's event will feature a performance by  Michael R. Jackson , who created the Tony Award-winning play A Strange Loop  and a dance party hosted by legendary musician  Common . Natasa and Michael share...

Heidi Marquez Smith, CEO of the Texas Cultural Trust , who hosts the upcoming Texas Medal of Arts Awards. The event honors 11 Texans who have made substantial contributions to the arts, which this year includes  Miranda Lambert , Christopher Cross and Luke Wilson  among others. Heidi shares information on the Texas Cultural Trust, how to engage celebrities and a sneak peek to this year's  Texas Me...