Fun In Fundraising

Performing Arts Houston Kaleidoscope Ball With Jordan Drum

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 artists through an array of diverse performances and learning experiences. Through these programs help cultivate a community that allows the audiences discover new understandings about themselves and inspire dialogue.
Over the years, Kaleidoscope Ball has become one of Houston's top annual signature fundraising events in Houston, a city with many world class arts organizations. Last year's Kaleidoscope Ball broke all previous fundraising records for the event.
In this episode, Jordan talks about a range of topics including how to create a process to select a theme that has everyone on board to support it, similarities and differences between attracting individual and corporate donors, and how to utilize talent during your signature fundraising event that tugs at the heart strings of donors. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

HeartGift Gala With Christy Casey-Moore And Kristi Jones

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 children around the world who do not have easy access to care. Since the organization's founding in 2000, has expanded four chapters in Texas and Louisiana and served over 1,000 children in 36 countries around the world. 
Over the years, HeartGift Gala has been one of Austin's top nonprofit signature fundraising event galas. Exceeding the $1 million mark for the first time in 2024.
In addition to their annual gala, HeartGift is also one of the beneficiaries of Mack, Jack, and McConaughey, Texas' top nonprofit gala in 2024, raising over $16 million for HeartGift and four other children's causes. The event happens shortly after the HeartGift Gala, which creates a gala season for the organization.
In this episode, Christy and Kristi discuss a wide range of topics including things to look for when establishing a chapter of your organization in a new market, tips on segmenting donors to prevent donor fatigue, and the importance of collaborating with other nonprofit organizations. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Children's Cancer Fund Gala With Jennifer Arthur And Shannon McGough

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 their mission to champion children in the fight against cancer. Funds received by the organization go towards funding research and care in the North Texas Area.
Early in the organizations history, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys became involved with the Children's Cancer Fund and its signature fundraising event over 30 years ago when the event was a Fashion Show and Luncheon. 
Today, the event is now a multi-million dollar nighttime Gala and Fashion Show where children are paired with celebrities and notables as the walk down the runway together. This year's event maintains the organizaitions close ties to the Dallas Cowboys with with current Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Quarterback Troy Aikman and Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott serving as honorary chairs of the event.
In this episode, Jennifer and Shannon discuss a wide range of topics including advice on tips on knowing when to evolve your event to take it to the next level, advice on getting high profile individuals to say yes to attending and headlining your event year after year, and the value of partnering with top organizations in your field to further your organizations mission. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Junior League Of Dallas Milestones Luncheon With Tandra Allen And Lauren Combest

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 female leaders who have made a substantial impact on the North Texas community and beyond, growing to over 4,000 active members who provide over 100,000 hours of community service to various North Texas nonprofits and civic causes each year.
The Milestones Luncheon has long been one of Dallas' most popular and beloved luncheons. Each year features a conversation with a best-selling female author for an illuminating, substantive, and informative conversation as well as the opportunity for members of the Junior League (and alumni) to network with one another.
In this episode, Tandra and Lauren discuss a wide range of topics including advice on how to create a devoted following for your signature fundraising event that spans generations, how the Junior League has evolved over the past 100+ years, and tips on selecting the a high-profile person that reasonates with your audience to drive successful event turnout. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Memorial Park Conservancy's The Park Ball With Monica Enriquez Clem

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 1,500 acre majestic green space on the west side of Houston (which is almost twice the size of Central Park), the Memorial Park Conservancy operates and maintains 1,100 of the park. Each year, the organization hosts The Park Ball on the Memorial Park Grounds to allow guests to experience it with a gala under the stars.
In this episode, Monica discuss a wide range of topics including tips on creating strong relationships with event chairs, how development professionals can effectively use a gala to strengthen relationships with donors, and the benefits and challenges of hosting an event outdoors. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Houston Grand Opera Opera Ball 2025 With Allison Reeves and Katherine Cunningham

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 event, Opera Ball 2025: Love is in the Air.
One of Houston's top signature fundraising events for many years, the Houston Grand Opera's Opera Ball is a million-dollar annual fundraiser known for hosting an incredibly fun experience for it's patrons that encourages them to give year after year. For many years, the Houston Grand Opera events team has worked with legendary event producer Richard Flowers of The Events Company to help the organization carry out it's vision and create a spectacular experience for its guests from the second they arrive until the second they depart. 
In this episode, Allison and Katherine discuss a wide range of topics including tips having a great relationship with your event chair, establishing a process to create a great event theme, and how to create a devoted following for your annual gala or signature fundraising event. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Dallas Mavericks Foundation Mavs Ball With Hannah Turner

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 Mavs Ball is one of Dallas' premiere nonprofit signature fundraising events. The nonprofit foundation of the Dallas Mavericks, proceeds raised from the organization go towards grants and gifts to nonprofits that provide services to children, women, and families. Over the past decade, the annual total raised at the Mavs Ball has gone form $500,000 in the first year to over $2 million for last year's event.
In this episode, Hannah discuss a wide range of topics including tips on recruiting customers (in their case, season ticket holders) into donors, insights on how to create a streamlined and effective grant selection process to maximize community impact, and how to effectively use high-profile individuals at your signature fundraising event to maximize giving. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Asia Society Texas Center's Tiger Ball With Bonna Kol And Rishi Varma

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 Shanghai and Chinese Culture.
For many years, Tiger Ball has dazzled the audience with innovative themes that effectively showcase specific aspects of Asian culture in an elegant, informative, and fun way. What makes the event even more dazzling is how they transform The Asia Society Texas Center's parking lot into a majesic, tented wonderland that brings the outside in.
In this episode, Bonna and Rishi discuss a wide range of topics including building a loyal following, creating an effective event theme selection process, deciding if moving your signature fundraiser to your organization's headquarters is the right move, and more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Imagine Muny Gala With Scotty Sayers And Suzanne Erickson

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 Muny Conservancy was founded to preserve and save the Lions Municipal Golf Course. Over the past 101 years, residents of Austin and beyond have enjoyed this majestic green space just west of downtown. This year's Imagine Muny will be a seven figure fundraising night that will be capped off with a concert by country music legend Wynonna.
In this episode, Scotty and Suzanne talk about a wide range of topics including tips on getting nationally known headline performers to say yes to your gala or signature fundraising event, attracting event publicity across multiple media mediums, the importance of giving back to your community, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

2025 Texas Medal Of Arts Awards With Heidi Marquez Smith And Tania Schwartz

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 Texas Cultural Trust has been a leading voice in highlighting arts education, programs, and advocacy in Texas to spotlight both the cultural and economic impact the arts bring to Texas. Every other year, the organization honors approximately 10 individuals and/or organization who have made substantial contributions in the arts to Texas and beyond.
In this episode, Heidi and Tania talk about a wide range of topics including tips on how to select honorees for your annual signature fundraising event, attracting people from multiple markets to attend your signature fundraising event, and advice on engaging celebrities and high-profile individuals to say yes to supporting and attending your organization's gala. This is one episode you will not want to miss.