Fun In Fundraising

SAFE 50th Anniversary Gala with Angela Glode, Tiffany Stillwell, and Yvette Flores

How does a nonprofit - and its signature fundraiser successfully evolve with a rapidly growing city? Today, I talk with Angela Glode, Chief Development Officer for The SAFE Alliance, as well as Yvette Flores and Tiffany Stillwell, the co-chairs for the upcoming SAFE Gala: Celebrating 50 Years. The mission of SAFE is to stop abuse for everyone and provide services to victims of abuse including housing, education, advocacy, and community services.
In this episode, Angela, Tiffany, and Yvette provide great insights on a range of topics which include the importance of long-term planning to create a successful gala, creating a successful, tiered raffle to generate buzz and excitement about your event, and using a milestone year to add new elements to your signature fundraising event to draw in the next generation of donors.

Miss Texas Scholarship Organization with Jan Mitchell

How do you successfully build an all-volunteer organization? Today, Rob talks with Jan Mitchell, Executive Director for Miss Texas, the official preliminary competition to the Miss America Competition and the largest provider of scholarships for young women in the United States. In this episode, Jan provides great insights on a range of topics including the importance of volunteers in making a nonprofit a success, how the organization awards scholarships, and ways to keep your alumni continuously involved with your organization.

Legacy Community Health’s Holiday Schmooze with Bella Villarreal

How do you create a highly successful signature fundraising event during the holiday season? Today, Rob talks with Bella Villarreal, Development Manager of Legacy Community Health to talk about their upcoming signature fundraising event Holiday Schmooze, which is one of the most fun and anticipated events in Houston during the holiday season.  In this episode, Bella provides great insights on a range of topics including how to make your event stand out with donors during the busy holiday season, keep, the differences between a cocktail party and gala format, and how holding your event at a different location each year creates for a fun, bespoke experience for your donors.

Angie Kadesky - Crystal Charity Ball

How do you keep corporate sponsors from your gala or signature fundraising event engaged with your organization year-round? Today, I talk with Angie Kadesky Chair of The Crystal Charity Ball. One of the top fundraising galas in Texas each year, this organization has raised over $181 million dollars over the past 71 years for various projects benefitting children in North Texas. Angie provides great insights on a range of topics including how the organization selects beneficiaries each year, the importance of establishing a successful track record, and using other events to completely underwrite the cost of The Crystal Charity Ball so 100% of the proceeds from the gala benefit the cause. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Betsy Hudson and Stephanie O’Neill - Center for Child Protection’s Dancing with the Stars Austin

How do you get a large number of community leaders to say "yes" to your nonprofit gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Betsy Hudson and Stephanie O'Neill, co-chairs of the Center for Child Protection's Dancing with the Stars Austin presented by Mercedes Benz of Austin. In this episode, Betsy and Stephanie provide great insights on a range of topics into one of Austin's most popular and well-attended galas including tips on creating a devoted and loyal following for your gala or signature fundraising event, establishing a successful, multiyear relationship with a co-chair, and a preview of this year's ten celebrity dancers.

FOREKids ATX with Angela Garcia

How do you create a highly successful nonprofit gala or signature fundraiser right out of the gate? Today, Rob talks with Angela Garcia, Co-Founder of the Sergio and Angela Garcia Foundation who is hosting its 2nd annual FOREKids ATX. In its first year, FOREKids ATX raised over $2 million dollars with the proceeds benefitting several children's nonprofits. In this episode, Angela provides great insights on a range of topics including the secret to successfully starting a foundation (or a business) with your spouse or significant other, the selection process for its nonprofit beneficiaries, and the importance of being involved in your community in a wide range of causes to get other community leaders to support your cause.

AT&T Performing Arts Center Bravo! Gala with Warren Tranquada and Chris Heinbaugh

How does a nonprofit gala integrate its services into the event program in a fun way? Today, Rob talks with AT&T Performing Arts Center, President and CEO Warren Tranquada and VP of External Affairs Chris Heinbaugh to discuss the Bravo! Gala - the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event. In this episode, Warren and Chris provide great insights on a range of topics including tips on how to keep the event moving in a fun and organic way, the importance of having great relationships with gala chairs, and successfully integrating your organization's programs into your gala or signature fundraising event.

Andy Roddick Foundation Gala with Jaime Garcia

How does a nonprofit gala or signature fundraising event help create strong relationships with your key donors? Today, Rob talks with Jaime Garcia, President and CEO of the Andy Roddick Foundation, who is hosting its upcoming 15th annual gala which will be emceed by comedian Bobby Bones and feature a concert by country music star Jordan Davis. In this episode, Jaime provides great insights on a range of topics including tips on engaging celebrities and high-profile individuals for your gala, creating the space for multiple types of artists to shine during your signature fundraising event, and one unique thing an organization can do to help keep your gala or signature fundraising event fresh and exciting. 

Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Storybook Gala with Grace Gosnell and Victoria Villarreal

How does a nonprofit organization create a successful signature fundraising event focused on young professionals? Today, Rob talks with Grace Gosnell and Victoria Villarreal, co-chairs of the upcoming Storybook Gala for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation hosted by the organization's Young Professionals Group. In this episode, Grace and Victoria provide great insights on a range of things including tips on hosting a successful event kickoff party helps drive interest to your main gala, how getting involved with non-profits helps young people from a networking perspective, and the importance of creating a strong partnership between event co-chairs.

Houston SPCA Howl-O-Ween Ball with Cheryl Byington and Julie Kuenstle

How do you successfully plan a signature fundraising weekend around a festive holiday? Today, Rob talks with Julie Kuenstle, VP of Marketing for Houston SPCA, and Cheryl Byington, co-chair of their signature fundraising event: Howl-O-Ween Ball, which effectively ties the organizations mission to a holiday that is all about fun - Halloween. In this episode, Cheryl and Julie provide great insights on a range of things including tips on building a devoted and successful following for your annual gala or signature fundraiser, how having guests dress up in costume can make an event more fun, and innovative ways to use a nonprofit's space through your gala or signature fundraising event to attract and retain donors.