How does a nonprofit bring the fun to its annual fundraising event year after year?  Today, I talk with Dr. Susan Blaney, Director of Cancer and Hematology Centers at Texas Children's Hospital and Shelly Hendry, co-chair of their annual signature fundraising event An Evening With Legends featuring David Foster and Katharine McPhee. An Evening With Legends is a fabulous experience where David Foster will take to the piano with wife Katharine McPhee belting out the scores of iconic tunes that the duo have written and produced over the decades. This event shows how music has the power t ..read more

How does a nonprofit successfully create a signature fundraising event around a major cultural event?  Today, I talk with Chris Denney, Director of Advancement, and Tiffany Divis, President and CEO of the Turtle Creek Conservancy to discuss their signature fundraising event Day At The Races. Celebrating its 16th year, Day At The Races is a Kentucky Derby-themed party held in the early evening on the first Saturday in May to coincide with the annual run for the roses at Churchill Downs. Held on the Turtle Creek Park grounds each year, funds raised from the event benefit the Turtle Creek Co ..read more

How does a nonprofit successfully incorporate their mission at their annual gala to help major donors connect with the organization?  Today, I talk with Brandon Bell, General Manager and Suzanne Sippel, Director of Invidual Giving at DACAMERA to talk about their signature fundraising event DACAMERA Gala 2024. DACAMERA provides innovative concert experiences that connect music with literature and the visual arts. Many of the concerts hosted by the organization are held in unique spaces that make each concert performance all the more special. This year's event is made all the more special a ..read more

What does it take for a nonprofit to host a top live auction that raises millions for an organization?  On today's special episode, I talk with Heath Hale, owner of Cowboy Auctioneer and the lead auctioneer for Texas' largest annual nonprofit signature fundraising event, Mack, Jack & McConaughey. Heath and his team of over a dozen auctioneers raised over $50 million through nonprofit live auctions in 2023. The largest of which was a jaw-dropping $8 million at Mack, Jack, & McConaughey with the proceeds benefiting five children's oriented nonprofits. In this episode, Heath talks ab ..read more

How does a nonprofit raise large sums of money through a signature fundraising event that consists entirely of small, intimate events?  Today, I talk with Cara Abazari, Director of Community Affairs at St. David's Foundation, and Tobie Funte, Chair of the organization's signature fundraising event, Toast of the Town. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Toast of the Town party series is a one-of-a-kind signature fundraiser. Each year, St. David's Foundation hosts 20 bespoke events ranging from 10-50 people in one month that is a mix of experiences, guest speakers, and celebrity ..read more

How do champions on the field fundraise for their community like champions off (and on) the field?  Today, I talk with Karin Morris, Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation to talk about the upcoming The TEX Gala. Over the past several years, the foundation arm of the reigning World Series champions has hosted a seven-figure fundraising gala held on Globe Life Field that brings together sports enthusiasts, top musical acts, A-list celebrities, and philanthropists to create an unforgettable night benefiting youth, relief, and military/first respo ..read more

How does a nonprofit create an event that has its guests highly engaged long before the event begins?  Today, I talk with three special guests to talk about the upcoming Mad Hatter's Luncheon benefitting the Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum: Event Chair, Allison Brodnax, Board President Karen Sargent, and Event Producer Jan Strimple. Mad Hatter's is one of the most inventive events you will ever go to. All the attendees wear a hat around the theme of the event. This year's theme: Gardens of Greece, will feature hundreds sporting elaborate hats inspired by the beautiful country wher ..read more

How does a small community effectively draw donors from around the area to their gala or signature fundraising event?  Today, I talk with Reenie Harwood Collins and Linda Plant, who are the co-chairs for the upcoming Round Top Festival Institute Gala. The smallest incorporated town in Texas, Round Top is a town of approximately 90 residents known primarily as a destination for quality antiques. The town also features the Round Top Festival Institute, a grand performance concert venue founded by James Dick that hosts top musical prodigies from around the world each year for their annual Su ..read more

How does an organization create a signature fundraising event that is one of the hottest tickets in town year after year?  Today, I talk with Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfield, who are the co-chairs for the upcoming Art Ball 2024 benefiting the Dallas Museum of Art. The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the world's premier art museums featuring works from Monet, Van Gough, Matisse and more. Each Spring, DMA hosts its annual Art Ball, which has drawn top art patrons from around the world since its first ball in 1962. In this episode, husbands Andy and Paul provide great insights on a range ..read more

How does an organization successfully host an event that provides funds to multiple nonprofits to maximizes a positive impact on their community? Today, I talk with THE BIG GOOD co-founder Kelsey Patterson about their upcoming annual flagship fundraising event THE BIG GOOD, which benefits three organizations in North Texas: The Tarrant To & Through Partnership, United Community Centers, and UpSpire. THE BIG GOOD, is an organization founded by Gary and Kelsey Patterson & Leon Bridges that assesses key need gaps in the North Texas community. The organization works with select nonprofit p ..read more