Fun In Fundraising

SPCA Of Texas Fur Ball With Chris Luna And Maura Davies

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 organization's annual event, the Fur Ball draws hundreds of community leaders, animal lovers, and philanthropists, throughout North Texas making it one of the fun and anticipated fundraising events in the area each Fall.
In this episode, Chris and Maura talk about a wide range of topics including tips on using your gala or signature fundraising event to authentically connect with major prospective and existing donors, the importance of creating an effective communications and marketing strategy for your event, and how to build a stong, longterm devoted following for your event. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

The Family Place's Texas Trailblazers Awards With Carmen Holmes And Clarisa Lindenmeyer

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 violence in Texas. Each year, the organization's Texas Trailblazers Luncheon is a change for community leaders to come together and honor people who have made an impact to help combat and prevent domestic violence in Texas.
In this episode, Carmen and Clarisa talk about a wide range of topics including how to effectively engaging a board to help drive attendance to your signature fundraising event, the differences between hosting a daytime and nighttime event, and tips creating an event that draws strong financial AND community support. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Sky High For Kids Ladies Who Brunch With Brittany Franklin

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 evolved into a must-attend event that draws hundreds and now raises seven figures for her organization whose mission is to end childhood cancer.
In this episode, Brittany talks about a wide range of topics including how the organization selects new markets to plant roots in, incorporating an effective fashion show into your event program, and tips on partnering with world-class organizations to help scale your event. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

2024 Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala With J. Denton Bricker And Patrick Means

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 Orchestra Gala features three highly engaging and entertaining acts during the evening. The first act is a dinner in a beautiful space. The second act is a concert performance by a world-renowned pianist Lang Lang. The final act is an after-party that keeps the fun going well into the night. 
In this episode, Patrick and Denton talk about a wide range of topics including the importance of getting involved in your community when you move to a new city, advice on attracting world-class talent to your gala or signature fundraising event, and tips on keeping your audience engaged at an event throughout the entire night. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

2024 Cattle Baron's Ball With Lora Farris And Marjon Zabihi Henderson

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 since its founding in 1974. This year, the organization is poised to break the $100 million mark in funds raised through the Cattle Baron's Ball.
In this episode, Lora and Marjon talk about a wide range of topics including ways to establish a successful partnership between a fundraising event and a nonprofit, how to incorporate a local feel to your event when working with a national organization, tips on attracting top performers to your fundraising event year after year. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Texas Advocacy Project's Black & White Ball With Heather Bellino

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 and domestic abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking has created an organization that is one of the most respected and admired in the United States. Over the years, the Black & White Ball has steadily grown and evolved and last year broke the million-dollar mark for the first time.
In this episode, Heather talks about a wide range of topics including ways to successfully evolve your organization with a growing city and state, the importance of long-term planning in creating a successful gala, and tips on creating an exciting live auction that encourages donors to give generously. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Houston PetSet Fierce & Fabulous Soirée With Lisa Tynan

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 fundraising events. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the event, this year's Fierce & Fabulous Soirée will honor 20 individuals who have made an impact on the event and the organization.
In this episode, Lisa talks about a wide range of topics including the secrets to hosting a successful live and silent auction at your gala, how to a devoted following for your signature fundraiser, and tips on engaging celebrities for your event.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Ice Ball With Kedrick Jeffries And Brenda Lindfors

How does an organization take their annual fundraising gala from four figures to seven figures?  Today, I talk with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas CEO Kedrick Jeffries and CMO Brenda Lindfors to talk about the 20th annual Big Brothers BIg Sisters of Central Texas Ice Ball.
In its first year, the Ice Ball raised a little over $6,000. After 20 years and a lot of hard work, recruiting quality event chairs, and effective donor engagement the Ice Ball is now one of Central Texas' top fundraising galas, raising over $1 million annually for the organization.
In this episode, Kedrick and Brenda talk about a wide range of topics including ways to successfully evolve your gala or signature fundraising event, using anniversary year as an opportunity to reengage with past event chairs and major donors, and tips on finding successful gala chairs to take your event to the next level.

Creating Statement Signature Cocktails With Bestselling Author André Darlington

One key element of any successful gala or signature fundraising event is a signature cocktail that helps make your event fun and memorable. Today, special guest cohost Lance Avery Morgan and I talk with André Darlington, author of a dozen cocktail books including his latest book  Cowboy Cocktails: 60 Recipes Inspired by the American West.
One of the world's foremost experts on cocktails, André is a bestselling author and the first cocktail writer to circumnavigate the globe in over 100 years. We thought with National Cowboy Day approaching in late-July, this would be a great time to talk about the cocktails in his latest book.
 
In this episode, André provides his expert insights about the importance of a signature cocktail to set the tone for your event, successfully pairing cocktails with food, and some trends he is seeing in the cocktail space. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Creating Fun And Profitable Fundraising Events With AJ Sternberg

What key steps can nonprofits take to host fun and profitable galas and signature fundraising events? Today, I talk with event producer turned nonprofit fundraising thought-leader AJ Steinberg.
Based in Southern California, AJ has been involved in the nonprofit fundraising scene for over 20 years. Her company, Queen Bee Fundraising works with nonprofits to engage and inspire their donors to optimize their galas and signature fundraising events.
In this episode, AJ provides valuable insights on a range of of topics before, during, and after the event including the importance of securing corporate sponsorships, creating donor engagement to host an effective paddle raise, and what organizations need to do in the days after a gala or singature fundraising event to maintain goodwill with donors. This is one episode you will not want to miss.