The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

Donors aren’t giving less, they’re going deeper with fewer organizations. In part two of our season-opening series, we look at where fundraising events are headed and how to design gatherings that make donors want to stay. 

Events are being rethought across every industry, from music to tech to family farms. We share what the research says about relevance fatigue and selective generosity, why the big gala still has...

Fundraising events are changing faster than ever. Season 4 opens with a look back at how events evolved, and why belonging, hospitality, and the "invite-in" are the way forward. This is part one of a three-part intro to the season on where fundraising events have been, where they are now, and where they're headed. 

We trace the shift from Gilded Age status displays and marathon auctions to today's shorter, story-driven, commun...

Are tall centerpieces, low minimum gifts, and fundraising thermometers quietly sabotaging your fundraising event? In this fan-favorite encore episode, former NFL player turned professional benefit auctioneer Reggie Rivers delivers some of the most candid, actionable event fundraising advice you'll hear — and he doesn't hold back.

From the neuroscience of giving to the psychology of collective momentum, Reggie breaks down why ...

Most nonprofits make the same storytelling mistake at their fundraising events: they lead with programs and metrics instead of the one thing that actually moves donors to give — the why. In this fan-favorite encore episode, co-host Kristin Steele breaks down the art and science of organizational storytelling, and how to structure your event narrative so it builds toward your fundraising moment with intention and impact.

Wheth...

Facts tell, but stories give. In this fan-favorite encore episode, co-host and storytelling expert Kristin Steele breaks down exactly how to craft narratives that connect with donors on an emotional level by turning complex issues into compelling stories that make your mission impossible to forget and impossible not to support.

If your fundraising your event program isn't landing the way you hoped, or you're struggling to translate...

Struggling to secure sponsors for your next nonprofit event? The problem might not be the economy,  it might be your approach. In this fan-favorite encore episode, Mariah Monique of The Sponsorship Catalyst shares what most nonprofits get wrong about corporate sponsorship, and exactly how to fix it.

Drawing from experience on both sides of the sponsorship relationship, Mariah brings rare insight into what sponsors are actually...

What if your next major gift didn't come from your biggest event of the year but from a carefully curated dinner for ten? In this fan-favorite encore episode, co-host Samantha Swaim steps into the guest seat to make a persuasive case for small, intentional gatherings as one of the most underutilized fundraising strategies in the nonprofit world.

From a seven-week dinner series that re-engaged an entire lapsed donor base to a whiske...

What separates a forgettable fundraising event from one guests are still talking about months later? In this fan-favorite encore episode, seasoned event producer Tanya Mikkelson breaks down exactly what it takes to create a guest experience so exceptional it turns first-time attendees into long-term advocates for your mission.

If you're planning a gala, auction, or any nonprofit fundraising event, this episode is your blueprint for...

Thinking about scaling back or canceling your next fundraising event? The science says don't. In this fan-favorite encore episode, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim make a compelling, research-backed case for why in-person fundraising events are more powerful than ever, and how to run them in a way that actually moves donors to give.

From the neuroscience of shared experiences to the psychology of collective giving, this epis...

What if one strategic gift could double the revenue of your next fundraising event? In this fan-favorite encore episode, Brandon Lenzi, founder of Bowtie Strategies, shares the exact approach he used to transform a $500,000 event into a million-dollar fundraiser and shares how you can apply the same framework to your organization.

Brandon also reframes the way nonprofit professionals think about donor relationships entirely: fundra...

Is your nonprofit board showing up for fundraising — or just showing up? In this fan-favorite encore episode, Susan Howlett breaks down exactly how to activate your board before, during, and after your next fundraising event so your team isn't carrying the weight alone.

Whether you're heading into fall fundraising season or planning your next gala, auction, or annual appeal, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for turn...

In the season three finale, we sit down with Andy Dowsett of The AV Department, a technical project manager with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits deliver high-impact live, virtual, and hybrid events. Andy shares how his audio engineering background shaped his belief that great sound is the foundation of any successful fundraising event—if guests can't hear the emcee, auctioneer, or a donor's story, the emotional...

In this episode, Bob Speltz, Senior Director Community + Public Relations at The Standard, offers a rare 360-degree view of the nonprofit sector as a corporate funder, board member, and personal donor. Bob breaks down current trends in corporate philanthropy, from strategic alignment and CSR integration to employee-driven giving programs and a shift toward longer-term, hyper-local partnerships. He shares practical advice for standi...

In this episode, Mario Galeano of Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena explores marketing that made the difference for his organization. Mario explains how the Eaton Fire, which hit neighboring Altadena, tested strategies in real time. With about 8% of the organization's major donors affected, the usual fundraising playbook didn't work. The team segmented outreach by geography and impact status, suppressing communications to...

In this episode, Kel Haney, a theater kid turned fundraising trainer and founder of Kel Haney Consulting, discusses her "Five Minute Fundraising Ask" framework. Kel shares how her unlikely path from working at Manhattan Theater Club into phone fundraising led her to make tens of thousands of donor calls over her career. She explains how she reverse-engineered her own success into a repeatable, authentic system built around empathy,...

In this episode John Lepp, co-founder of Agents of Good and author of Creative Deviations, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about what it truly means to be human in fundraising. John makes the case that empathy isn't just a buzzword, it's the foundation of every meaningful donor relationship. He challenges fundraisers to pause before hitting send on that next e-blast and ask: what do I want this person to think, feel, and d...

In this episode we sit down with Denise Spivak, CEO of CenterLink,  the world's largest coalition of LGBTQ+ community centers, representing over 350 member organizations. Denise shares how centers have evolved from small grassroots efforts into sophisticated service providers offering everything from medical clinics to mental health care, while remaining rooted in community connection and belonging. She paints an honest pictur...

In this episode we sit down with TiWanna "TK" Kenney — US Army veteran, the first Black woman to earn the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation, and founder of Astounding Auctions — to completely reframe what a benefit auctioneer can do for your nonprofit. TK breaks down why the best auctioneers aren't hired guns who show up at the last minute, but strategic partners embedded in your planning at least 90 days out, a...

Episode #123: Travel as Generosity with Elizabeth West of Sojourn Ventures

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth West, President of Sojourn Ventures Travel, to talk about one of the most underutilized tools in nonprofit fundraising: consignment travel. Elizabeth breaks down what the model actually means for cash-strapped, short-staffed organizations: zero upfront risk, no volunteer hours managing donor logistics, and the abil...