Fun In Fundraising

Janet Adderley - The Adderley School

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 Ben Platt, Gigi Hadid, and Jack Dylan Grazer. Listen to our fun, lively conversation where Janet shares about the journey of The Adderley School, how reengage organization alumni, and a sneak preview of the gala that will be hosted by James Corden, and feature a special performance by Kenny Loggins.

Victoria McCullough and Jolie Cady - Center For Child Protection

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, which is home to the Formula 1® United States Grand Prix. Victoria and Jolie talk about the mission of the Center for Child Protection, the importance of engaging your donors with unique experiences year round, how the purpose of an fundraising event can evolve over time, and a sneak peak into this year's event.

Jennifer Stevens - Mack, Jack & McConaughey

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 organizations. Involved with the organization since its inception, Jennifer talks about the mission of MJ&M, the importance of year ‘round planning to make your event a success, busting the myth that a multi-million dollar fundraiser has to be black-tie, and a sneak peak into this year's event.

Kirsten Herrscher - Bo’s Place

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 organization, creating an engaged a network of volunteers and board members, as well as how to grow and scale your event as it becomes more popular. Additionally, she offers a sneak peak at this year’s event that is complete with unique activations to keep the audience engaged while having fun.

Dr. Kelly J. Zúñiga - Holocaust Museum of Houston

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 looks for in selecting honorees, and provides a sneak peak into this year's dinner. Additionally, Kelly reveals how her event so inspired a Broadway legend, who performed at the event, that she donated her fee back to the museum. 

Simone Wicha - Blanton Museum of Art

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 sneak peek into this year's gala, as well as her expert insights on successfully carrying out a vision for long-term projects, and the importance of using perspective when engaging with donors and high-profile individuals. 

Sarah Jo Hardin and Kristina Wrenn - Majestic Mad Hatter’s Luncheon

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, Rob talks with Sarah Jo Hardin, President of the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and Kristina Wrenn, co-chair of the upcoming Mad Hatter's Luncheon.  They discuss the history of the organization, how to keep your guests engaged and excited to attend your event year after year and a preview of this year's event.

Melissa Pinkerton and Amanda Mounts - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

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 Southern Texas Chapter who each talk with Rob about creating successful fundraisers that serve the mission of the organization while speaking to the specific needs of the individual communities they serve.

Andra Liemandt - Art of Kindness

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 students from Title I schools to participate. Andra offers a sneak peak to this year's Art of Kindness, how to successfully grow a non-profit, while staying true to the organizational mission and her personal reason for launching The Kindness Campaign.

Lisa Cooley - Texas Independence Day Dinner

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 expert insights from having chaired many successful galas in the past including engaging donors and the importance of providing personal touches for event honorees.