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 www.diningfordollars.co
Episodes
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 includi...
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 ...
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 eng...
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 succes...
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 ...
How do you successfully plan a signature fundraising weekend that attracts diverse aspects of your community? Today, Rob talks with The Contemporary Austin Executive Director & CEO sharon maidenberg. Over back-to-back days, the organization hosts two distinct, yet popular events, Art Dinner 2023 and Very 'Rary on their beautiful grounds, Laguna Gloria. In this episode, sharon provides great insights on a range of things includi...
What does it take to plan a signature fundraising event that has raised 9 figures over the past two decades? Today, Rob talks with celebrity event planner Todd Fiscus of Todd Events. Todd is the long-time event producer for one of Texas top fundraising events, Two X Two for AIDS And Art, which raises funds for two of the United States most notable nonprofit organizations amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art. In this can't miss episod...
How does an organization successfully create a luncheon that draws hundreds during the daytime to suport your cause year after year? Today, Rob talks with Lindsay Jacaman, co-chair of the upcoming Texas Trailblazer's Luncheon for The Family Place featuring Brooke Shields. In this episode, Lindsay shares her insights on the differences between daytime and nighttime galas/signature fundraising events, tips on engaging celebrities and...
How does an organization successfully create unique themes that give your event space - and your gala/signature fundraising event new life each year? Today, Rob talks with Katie Arnoldy and Holly Radom, co-chairs of the upcoming Children's Museum Houston Studio 54 Gala. Held every Fall at one of Texas' top event spaces, The Corinthian, this top Houston fundraising gala brings the wow factor each with innovative themes set against t...
How does an organization celebrate a landmark anniversary of their signature fundraising event with maximum impact? Today, Rob talks with Andrea Cheek and Isabell Novakov, co-chairs of the Cattle Baron's Ball in Dallas, which is the single biggest one-night fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. This year, the event turns 50 with a night for the ages at the legendary Southfork Ranch and a headline performance by music i...
How does an organization successfully host an event that brings together the entire community not just year after year but decade after decade? Today, Rob talks with Liz Ballard Executive Director of the Texas Rose Festival, and Texas Rose Festival Board Member Bill Evans to discuss the 90th annual Texas Rose Festival in Tyler, Texas. The event highlights the Texas rose-growing industry and the Tyler Rose Museum, which is the large...
How does an organization successfully go about launching a new and successful signature fundraising event after multi-year pause? Today, Rob talks with Texas Heart Institute's Vice President of Development Julie Voss as well as Kelli Kickerillo, who is a co-chair for The Supper Club, the organization's first signature fundraising event in 7 years. In this episode, Julie and Kelli share their thoughts on a variety of topics includin...
How do you create maximum impact at your event when it features celebrities and high-profile individuals? Today, we talk with Cathy James, President of The James Group, who is planning the upcoming Tex Mex Fiesta benefitting the Farrah Fawcett Foundation. This powerhouse event planner has helmed fundraising events all around the country that have collectively raised over $100 million dollars for top nonprofits. In this episode, Cat...
How do you maintain the passion for an organization and draw out hundreds to your signature fundraising event year in and year out? Today, we talk with Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust, who have co-chaired the highly successful Houston PetSet's Fierce & Fabulous Soiree for many years. In this episode, the powerhouse sister duo talk about a variety of topics including successfully working with other nonprofits that comple...
How do you give your gala a local feel when your nonprofit is part of a regional or national organization? The second season of Fun in Fundraising kicks off with a roundtable featuring Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas's upcoming annual Ice Ball Co-chairs Pamela and Will Hurley, Chief Marketing Officer Brenda Lindfors, and Vice President of Development Lauren Alexander-Labahn. Together this powerhouse team of fundraisers ta...
In a special combined podcast of Fun In Fundraising and Success With Style, Rob Giardinelli and Lance Avery Morgan talk with Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper, the authors of the new book, Classical Shindig, from Susan Schadt Press available August 29. This elevated, insider’s look at special occasion entertaining is chock full of ideas for your own hosting. Come away with entertaining tips and tricks that even an amateur can execute...
How do you plan a successful gala on an accelerated timeline? The Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation's new Chief Development Officer, Dan Perry chats with Rob today about how the organization was successfully able to not only move up the date With Liberty & Justice For All Dinner honoring cultural icon Willie Nelson. Dan talks about a variety of topics on what it takes to produce a successful gala or signature fundraiser includin...
How do you switch up the format of an already popular event to keep your audience guessing...and wanting more? Campaigns and Events Manager, for ZACH Theatre, Hunter Regian chats with Rob today about how the organization was successfully able to update the format and create a new buzz for their signature fundraising event Red, Hot & Soul which was held in the Spring of 2023. Hunter talks about a variety of topics on what it tak...
How do you create programming that both speaks to people directly while having appeal to a wide audience? Bob Bursey, Executive & Artistic Director for Texas Performing Arts, chats with Rob today about how the organization creates a range of compelling artistic productions that gets people to come back year after year. Bob talks about a variety of topics to better understand your audience including how to successfully integrate...
Today, Rob continues his conversation with Curated Texan Editor-In-Chief and Texas Luxury Consultants Founder Lance Avery Morgan for the second of two episodes talking about our favorite gala moments from the first half of 2023. Celebrating 20 years chronicling Texas' top nonprofit galas and signature, Lance has an unparalleled knowledge of what it takes to host an unforgettable gala, or signature fundraising event, and shares some...
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