Fun In Fundraising
Fun In Fundraising is a podcast that gives you behind the scenes access to those behind top fundraising galas and cocktail parties. These events raise large sums of money through producing fun, memorable experiences that have guests and attendees coming back year after year. Each episode, host Rob Giardinelli talks with top gala and non-profit fundraising event chairs, honorees, producers and non-profit executives. These conversations highlight how top leaders facilitate raising large sums of money to positively impact their communities in a fun, organic way. Rob Giardinelli is a sales executive turned ”professional guest on duty” through his work at esteemed publications The Society Diaries and Society Texas. During the past 12 years, Giardinelli has attended/chronicled over 2,000 galas, kick-off events and cocktail parties that have raised over $250 million for some of the world’s top nonprofits. To learn more about or work with Rob, visit https://eventmindset.com
Episodes
What are the keys to hosting a successful fashion and runway show at your gala or signature fundraising event?
Today, I talk with Jacob Samson and Payton Martin, co-chairs of DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising event House of DIFFA 2025: Dreamstate.
Over the past several decades, DIFFA has consistently been one of Texas' most anticipated, successful, fun, and fashionable signature fundraising events. As Texas' most fashionable ga...
How can an arts organization consistently attract top talent and inspire top donors at their annual gala or signature fundraising event?
In this episode, I talk with Craig Hella Johnson, Founder & Artistic Director of the multi-GRAMMY AWARD®-winning ensemble Conspirare, to discuss their signature fundraising event, Hidden Music.
For over 30 years, Conspirare has captivated audiences with powerful, thought-provoking performances...
What are the keys getting prominent philanthropists in your community to say yes?
Today, I talk with Eric Lindh, CEO of Equest & James and Kristin Hallam, co-chairs of the organization's signature fundraising event, the Blue Ribbon Gala.
Equest provides equine therapy for individuals aged two and over to help them cope with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. For over 40 years, the Equest Blue Ribbon Gala has been ...
What are the keys to success in starting a foundation that honors a departed loved one?
Today, I talk with Jamie Broach Byrd, Founder of The Broach Foundation For Brain Cancer Research and Deanna Kotrla, Executive Director of the organization to talk about the 13th annual Stand Up For Brain Cancer Gala.
The Broach Foundation was started in honor of Jamie's late husband, James Broach, who succumbed to grade IV astrocytoma also kno...
How does an organization create fun, inventive themes that creates a loyal following for an annual signature fundraising event?
Today, I talk with Performing Arts Houston Director of Development Jordan Drum to talk about the organization's annual signature fundraising event, The Kaleidoscope Ball: Rhapsody in Blue.
For nearly 60 years, Performing Arts Houston connected audiences with exceptional artists through an array of diverse ...
How does an organization be a part of two highly successful signature fundraising events that are within a few weeks of one another?
Today, I talk with HeartGift CEO Christy Casey-Moore and Vice President of Marketing and Fund Development, Kristi Jones to talk about their annual signature fundraising event, the HeartGift Gala.
HeartGift provides life-saving congenital heart defect surgeries to children around the world who do not h...
How does an organization effectively evolve its signature fundraising event so it remains a must-attend event year after year?
Today, I talk with Jennifer Arthur, CEO of the Children's Cancer Fund and Children's Cancer Fund Board Member Shannon McGough to talk about the Children's Cancer Fund 35th Anniversary Gala.
Over the past 35 years, the Children's Cancer Fund has raised millions to fulfill their mission to champion children i...
How does an organization effectively host a signature fundraising event that draws top professionals during the workday?
Today, I talk with Tandra Allen, President of the Junior League Of Dallas, and Lauren Combest, co-chair for the organizations signature fundraising event, The Milestones Luncheon.
Over the past 103 years, the Junior League of Dallas has cultivated several generations of female leaders who have made a substantial...
How can does an organization effectively prepare an host a successful outdoor gala or signature fundraising event?
Today, I talk with Monica Enriquez Clem, Sr. Director of Development of the Memorial Park Conservancy to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, The Park Ball.
For over 100 Years, residents of Houston and visitors from around the world have enjoyed this 1,500 acre majestic green space on the...
How does an organization effectively partner with an outside event planner to carry out their vision for an annual gala or signauture fundraising event?
Today, I talk with Allison Reeves, Director of Special Events for the Houston Grand Opera, and Katherine Cunningham, Associate Director of Special Events for the Houston Grand Opera to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, Opera Ball 2025: Love is in t...
How can an business successfully create a foundation or nonprofit arm of their organization create a positive impact in their community?
Today, I talk with Hannah Turner, Sr. Director of Corporate Responsibility and Executive Director of the Dallas Maverick's Foundation to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, the Mavs Ball.
Celebrating it's 10th anniversary, the Mavs Ball is one of Dallas' premiere no...
How can a nonprofit transform any space in a way that effectively tells the story of the organization and inspires the audience to give more?
Today, I talk with Bonna Kol, President of the Asia Society Texas Center and Rishi Varma, one of the co-chairs of Tiger Ball, the organization's signature fundraising events. This year's theme, Enchanting Shanghai will celebrate various aspects of both Shanghai and Chinese Culture.
For many y...
How does a nonprofit and community leaders effectively use existing relationships to create a dynamic, fun, and compelling signature fundraising event that draws people from all corners of your community?
Today, I talk with Scotty Sayers, Co-Chair of The Muny Conservancy and Suzanne Erickson, Director of Public Relations for the organizations upcoming signature fundraising event, Imagine Muny.
How does an nonprofit or commercial organization successfully get multiple high-profile individuals, community leaders, and celebrities to say yes and attend an organizations signature event?
Today, I talk with Texas Cultural Trust CEO, Heidi Marquez Smith and Tania Schwartz, co-chair, the 2025 Texas Medal of Arts Awards, the organizations signature fundraising event.
For the past 25 years, the Texas Cultural Trust has been a leadi...
How does an organization successfuly host a milestone signature fundraising event that honors the past, celebrates the present, and provides vision for the future?
Today, I talk with CASA of Travis County Director of Development Erin Kozma as well as Kelly Kopecky and Rachel Pry, co-chairs of CASABlanca, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event.
CASA of Travis County provides children with advocates for children in ...
How does an organization successfuly work with an event chair in a way that resepects the organization while putting a personal stamp on an event? Today, I talk with Camp for All Development Director Mary Beth Mosley and Paul Palmer, co-chair of the Krewe de Kamp for All, the organizations upcoming singature fundraising event.
Camp for All allows children and adults with special needs the opportunity to experience camping and nat...
How can an organization successfully integrate talent into a gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I chat the very talented artist, musician, and philanthropist Mela Sarajane Dailey to find out.
This Grammy Award-winning performer has dazzled audiences on professional and philanthropic stages for many years. During her career, she has entranced many a room with solo performances, sizzle stages with duets, and brought crowds ...
What are the secrets to moderating engaging conversations with a high-profile, headline guest at your event? Today, I talk with Mark Updegrove, President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation to find out.
Over the years, Mark has interviewed and/or moderated conversations with seven former Presidents including the late Jimmy Carter. In addition to speaking with Presidents, he has also moderated conversations with high-profile musician...
What are the secrets to making live auctions fun, interesting, and successful? Today, I talk with one of the top auctioneers in the world, Lydia Fenet, Founder & CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency to find out.
After a highly-successful 25-year career as an auctioneer at Christie's, Lydia started her own auction firm, the Lydia Fenet Agency. Over the past 25 years, auctions she has helmed have raised over $1 billion. She has consis...
What are the keys to getting publicity before and after an event? Today, I talk three top Public Relations Professionals Cynthia Smoot, Founder of Gangway Advertising, Jesse Parker Stowell, Founder of Parker|Phoenix Public Relations, and Dancie Perugini Ware, Founder of Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations to find out.
These three pros are among the very best in obtaining publicity for the nonprofit galas they have partnered wit...
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