Elevate Your Event

AI isn’t just writing emails anymore—it’s reshaping how nonprofits plan events, engage donors, and run their entire fundraising operation.

In this episode of Elevate Your Event, Jeff Porter and Mark Laba are joined by Handbid’s VP of Software Development, Taylor Romero, to unpack what “agentic AI” actually means—and why it’s a game-changer for lean nonprofit teams.

From automating sponsorship outreach and auction procurement to rethinking guest check-in and event analytics, the conversation explores how AI can make one fundraiser as effective as a team of five—without losing the human touch donors care about most.

If you’ve been wondering where to start with AI (beyond rewriting emails), this episode gives you practical ideas you can try right away.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. AI won’t replace fundraisers—it will multiply their impact

Agent-based AI systems can now automate donor outreach, sponsorship follow-ups, and auction item solicitation—tasks that traditionally take weeks of manual effort.

“AI doesn’t replace the fundraiser. It makes one fundraiser as effective as a team of five.”

2. We’re moving from building software to growing it

Taylor explains a powerful mindset shift: instead of engineering software feature-by-feature, organizations are learning to guide AI systems that evolve solutions organically.

This opens the door for smaller teams—and even non-developers—to create tools tailored to their workflows.

3. Conversational interfaces will reshape event operations

Think beyond forms and dashboards.

Future event tech interactions will increasingly happen through:

• chat
• voice
• automated assistants
• real-time conversational workflows

That means easier guest list updates, smoother check-ins, and fewer day-of-event headaches.

4. AI already helps automate fundraising workflows today

Jeff shares real examples from a live campaign where AI helped:

• identify past donors
• analyze email history for outreach candidates
• build targeted email sequences
• remove donors from follow-ups once they gave
• identify potential sponsors
• draft sponsorship outreach emails
• recover 70% of prior auction items—in one week

These aren’t future tools—they’re available now.

5. Data insights after your event are about to get much smarter

Instead of static reports like “top bidders” or “ticket sales totals,” AI can now surface insights like:

• emerging donor behavior trends
• engagement shifts from last year
• pricing strategy effectiveness
• sponsorship performance patterns
• hidden opportunities your team may miss manually

Even better? It can package those insights into board-ready presentations in minutes.

6. The biggest mistake nonprofits make with AI

Most teams are still stuck using AI like this:

“Rewrite this email.”

Instead, the opportunity is:

“Plan and execute this outreach strategy.”

Agent-style tools like Claude Co-Work or Perplexity Computer can already handle multi-step workflows automatically.

Practical Ways to Start Using AI This Month

Try one of these immediately:

✅ Build a donor re-engagement email sequence
✅ Generate sponsor prospect lists
✅ Automate auction item request emails
✅ Analyze last year’s event performance trends
✅ Create board-ready reports in minutes
✅ Test a conversational workflow for guest updates

Start with the why, not the how—and let AI help design the solution.

A Big Idea to Leave You With

For 15 years, nonprofits have learned how to use event software.

The next 15 years will be about software that learns how to work for you.

Connect with Handbid:

https://www.handbid.com 

https://www.instagram.com/handbidauctions/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/handbid/ 

Most fundraising events won’t fail in 2026 because donors changed. They’ll fall short because the experience didn’t.

In this “home team” conversation, we call out what organizations are still getting wrong—and what the best teams are already doing differently. From the death of the “hybrid event” as a livestream add-on, to why “simpler” events aren’t a trend (they’re a correction), this episode is a straight-up standard-setting breakdown of what excellent looks like next year.

What Most Organizations Will Get Wrong in 2026

1) Thinking “hybrid” means “in-person + camera.”

The crew makes the case that the COVID-era definition of hybrid is done. If you want a remote audience, you have to build a real, intentional experience for them—not tack on a tripod in the back of the room.

2) Blaming donor behavior instead of clunky execution.

Donors still want connection. They still want to give. What they won’t tolerate anymore is friction—long check-in lines, confusing processes, and experiences that feel outdated compared to the convenience they get everywhere else.

3) Treating “simpler events” like a trend.

This isn’t minimalist chic—it’s reality. Too many revenue moments, too many “things,” too many asks… and guests hit a wall. Simplicity is the correction that improves the donor experience and makes it easier to execute well.

4) Planning from the inside out.

If you start with revenue goals and budget constraints, you’ll design a functional event—not a memorable one. The teams that win in 2026 start the other way: outside-in. What should guests feel? What should flow effortlessly? What should disappear?

Who This Episode Is For

Development directors, event leads, and nonprofit teams running signature events where “good enough” isn’t good enough—especially if your board, major donors, and top sponsors will be in the room and you can’t afford a clunky experience.

Key Takeaways

• If you want remote participation, design for remote—don’t livestream an in-room event and call it a day.
• Donor expectations aren’t the problem—your execution is.
• More programming doesn’t equal more money. It often equals guest fatigue.
• Start with the guest experience, then build the revenue mechanics around it.

Connect with Handbid:

https://www.handbid.com 

https://www.instagram.com/handbidauctions/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/handbid/ 

Jeff Porter is joined by Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritas Group, a fundraising consulting firm that helps nonprofits build stronger donor pipelines—from donor acquisition and retention to mid-level growth, major gifts, and planned giving. With nearly four decades of fundraising experience, Jeff shares a practical framework for how events should support (not replace) long-term donor development.

Together, they unpack how to turn event attendees into mission-driven donors, why events are often best viewed as a marketing function, and what it really takes to move supporters from a one-time paddle raise to meaningful, lasting generosity. They also dig into the role boards play in fundraising—where they can accelerate growth, where they can unintentionally create pressure, and how nonprofits can better educate and equip them for success.

In this episode (highlights)

• Why events are part of the donor pipeline, not the pipeline itself
• The difference between event donors and mission donors
• How auctions and engagement tools support donor acquisition
• Moving donors from $250 paddle raises to transformational gifts
• The role of mid-level donors and how to qualify them properly
• Why major gift teams should not be running events
• Common mistakes nonprofits make when events become departments
• How boards can help (and hurt) donor development efforts
• Setting expectations with table captains and event guests
• Using pre-event and post-event strategy to maximize long-term impact

Who Should Listen

• Nonprofit leaders and executive directors
• Development and advancement teams
• Board members involved in fundraising
• Event planners looking to align events with long-term strategy
• Anyone trying to move beyond “one-and-done” fundraising events

Links & Resources:

• https://veritusgroup.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀

Connect with Handbid:

📍 Website

📍 Instagram

📍 LinkedIn

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Episode summary

If you’ve ever wished your fundraiser felt less like a hotel ballroom and more like an immersive, memorable experience, this episode is for you. Jeff Porter sits down with Nezhdeh Parsanj, co-owner of Opus Event Rentals, to talk about how thoughtful design, specialty rentals, creative lighting, and intentional photo moments can reshape any event—no matter the venue.

With 20 years in the industry, Nezhdeh shares how Opus uses elements like glass pool covers, uneven rooftop builds, LED sponsor walls, curated florals, and mission-driven décor to help nonprofits deepen guest engagement and create unforgettable environments. He also offers practical advice for organizations working with limited budgets: focus on one or two meaningful experiences rather than upgrading everything.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, development directors, event planners, and anyone looking to elevate the guest experience, increase engagement, and rethink what’s possible with their event spaces.

In this episode (highlights)

• How Opus creates specialty rentals beyond tables and chairs, including flooring, glass pool covers, LED cubes, and branded décor
• Why unique spaces (like backyards or rooftops) can outperform traditional ballrooms for guest engagement
• The power of photo moments—and how they can tie directly into post-event donor follow-up
• How to balance creative vision, brand alignment, and budget for maximum impact
• Why lighting design is a mission tool, not just an aesthetic choice
• Using florals, pillows, giveaways, and small details to reinforce branding
• When to invest in flooring under tents (and when grass is okay)
• Creative sponsor recognition ideas—like LED cubes and entrance walls
• The most memorable features Opus has designed, including walk-on-water photo ops
• Practical advice for nonprofits: start by choosing the 1–2 elements guests will remember most

Links & Resources:

• https://www.opusrentals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opusrentals/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/opusrentals/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Opusrentals 
• Connect with Nezhdeh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nezhdeh-parsanj-1a7142a9/ 

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀

Connect with Handbid:

📍 Website

📍 Instagram

📍 LinkedIn

Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts

It’s back! In Handbid’s third annual holiday episode, the Handbid Team go head-to-head in a Christmas trivia showdown. From classic movies and carols to oddball folklore and Bible deep cuts, this episode is pure festive chaos—in the best way. Play along, keep score, and steal a few trivia ideas for your own holiday party or year-end event.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, event planners, and Handbid friends who:

• Love holiday episodes and want something light, fun, and festive
• Want easy, ready-made trivia ideas they can adapt for their own events
• Need a break from planning year-end campaigns and just want to laugh along

In this episode (highlights)

• Holiday trivia is back: Jeff hosts Handbid’s third annual holiday episode and lays out the rules, categories, and (questionable) scoring system.

• Christmas movie round: Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, The Grinch, A Christmas Story… the crew tests how well they really know the classics.

• Music & carols mayhem: From “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to record-breaking Christmas hits and hymn origins, Mark and Elise battle it out over lyrics and fun facts.

• Pop culture & party chaos: White elephant gifts, Chia Pets, Krampus, Montgomery Ward, NORAD Santa tracking, and Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat all make an appearance.

• Bible trivia gets real: Bethlehem, prophets, censuses, Old Testament prophecies, the women in Jesus’ genealogy, and titles of the Messiah—all fair game in the final round.

• A nail-biter finish: The score stays tight, Elise N and Mark trade the lead, and it all comes down to the Bible lightning round to crown this year’s holiday trivia champ.

• Steal this idea for your event: How a simple themed trivia game can add fun, connection, and energy to your own holiday party or year-end fundraiser.

Tune in, keep score, and see if you can beat the Handbid team at their own holiday trivia game. 🎄

Matching gifts are one of the fastest ways to grow event revenue—without asking donors for more than they’ve already given. Colleen Carroll from Double the Donation breaks down how employer matching works, why up to $4–$7B goes unclaimed every year, and simple ways to bake matching into your pre-event, night-of, and post-event workflow. We also cover the Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation integration and how automated reminders do the heavy lifting for busy teams.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, development directors, event planners, and board members who want to increase net revenue without scaling workload.

In this episode (highlights)

• Matching gifts 101: what counts as employer matching, volunteer grants, payroll giving—and how “workplace fundraising” ties it all together.
• Eligibility without HR: use a searchable database so donors can check their company’s rules, minimums/maximums, and submit forms in minutes.
• Automation that converts: a proven reminder cadence (Day 1, Day 3, Day 30) to nudge donors to complete their match—politely and effectively.
• The revenue gap: $4–$7B in matches go unclaimed annually; roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce is eligible—your donors are in there.
• Pre-event momentum: add employer field + company search to forms, prime donors in invites/confirmations, and identify likely matching employers by region.
• On-stage moment: give matching a two-minute spotlight; peer testimony from a donor who’s used matching is the fastest way to drive action.
• Post-event plays: trigger automated emails, then personally follow up on top gifts (call or short video) to secure high-value matches.
• Board & major donor strategy: structure annual giving to maximize match caps and deadlines; set calendar reminders so matches don’t expire.
• ROI math: with entry tiers around ~$1K/yr (varies by org), a couple of matched gifts can cover the cost—and the rest is upside.
• Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation: surface “Find a corporate match” in Handbid flows, pass donors to the right company form, and track completion.

Resources & links

• https://doublethedonation.com/ 
• Colleen Carroll on LinkedIn 
• Third-Party Integrations with Handbid
  
  

CTA

If you’re ready to unlock matching dollars, Handbid makes it easy to sell tickets, run mobile bidding, and capture employer matches—all in one place. Subscribe to Elevate Your Event for weekly, real-world tactics that raise more (and feel more fun).

Episode summary

’Tis the season… to plan smarter. The Home Team swap holiday menu takes (turkey wars!) and then get practical about running fundraising events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. From low-lift “open house” formats to creative themes and revenue add-ons, they break down how to cut through a crowded calendar, boost attendance, and tie event moments to year-end giving without turning it into a hard ask.

Who this episode is for

Fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit marketers looking to host a December event, drive last-minute donations, and leave donors smiling (and subscribed).

In this episode (highlights)

• Why timing matters: avoid Thu–Sat nights; try Tue/Wed evenings or a Sunday matinee.
• A low-stress format that works: drop-in donor open house with light bites, festive vibes, and a short auction that can close later in the Handbid app.
• Theme ideas that actually draw a crowd: ugly-sweater social, outdoor movie night, après-ski/Northern Lights party, rooftop glow-night, karaoke, and more.
• Family-friendly revenue plays: gingerbread house contest with $1 per vote, “Taste-Of” sample stations with ticket voting, pay-to-play mini-games.
• Tree magic: themed Christmas tree auction (include delivery/setup/take-down in the package).
• Ticketing tactics: “Buy One, Gift One” to bring new faces; couples ticket with 2 comp tickets for first-time guests.
• Light-touch giving: giving tree / envelope wall; food or toy drive tie-ins; corporate match prompts via Handbid’s Double the Donation integration.
• Data with a purpose: capture emails—and actually follow up in January.

Actionable playbook

1. Pick the slot: Tue/Wed evening 6–8pm or Sun 2–4pm.
2. Choose a format: Open house + mini auction (mobile bidding stays open until Sun 5pm).
3. Anchor a theme (choose one):
   • Ugly Sweater Social at a brewery/warehouse
   • Holiday Movie Matinee (blankets, cocoa, popcorn)
   • Après-Ski / Northern Lights tent party
   • Rooftop Glow Night (DJ, light-up dance floor)
4. Add revenue stations:
   • Gingerbread Build-Off: $1 = 1 vote; team “bets” on winners
   • Taste-Of tables with vote tickets
   • Pay-to-play quick games; festive karaoke showdown
5. Spotlight one showcase lot: Themed Christmas tree with delivery, setup, and post-season removal.

6. Lower the ask, raise the match: Prompt employer match on every ticket/donation checkout.

7. Grow the list: Run “Buy One, Gift One” tickets for new-to-org attendees; collect email + SMS consent.

8. Aftercare: Schedule a warm “thanks + impact + match reminder” touch the first week of January.

Sample run-of-show (open house)

• 6:00p Doors + check-in | cocoa, cider, photo corner
• 6:15p Soft open of auction (mobile)
• 6:45p 5-minute welcome + impact story + match reminder
• 7:15p Gingerbread/Taste-Of voting closes
• 7:50p Raffle pull / tree auction highlight
• 8:00p Guests depart; auction remains open until Sun 5:00p for remote bidders

Ideas mentioned (quick list)

• Donor Open House (drop-in)
• Gingerbread House Contest ($1 votes)
• Taste-Of mini-bites with vote tickets
• Karaoke Showdown
• Outdoor Movie Night (Elf, Home Alone, Die Hard)
• Themed Tree Auction (with delivery/setup/take-down)
• Buy One, Gift One tickets (first-time guests)
• Giving Tree / Envelope Wall
• Food/Toy Drive add-on
• Corporate Match prompts at checkout

Resources & links

• Handbid (tickets, mobile bidding, checkout)
• Double the Donation integration for employer matches (in Handbid ticket/donation flows)

CTA

If you’re planning a December event or want to layer a mini-auction onto your year-end campaign, Handbid makes it easy to sell tickets, run mobile bidding, and capture matches—all in one place. Subscribe to Elevate Your Event for weekly, real-world tactics that raise more (and feel more fun).

Adapt or Die: Keeping Your Fundraising Events Fresh and Engaging

Welcome to Elevate Your Event—the ultimate podcast for fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit pros who want to take their events to the next level. Hosted by the team at Handbid, this show dives into real-world fundraising strategies, auction best practices, donor engagement tips, event tech trends, and stories from the people making it happen.

This week on Elevate Your Event, the Home Team—Jeff Porter, Elise Druckenmiller, and Mark Labriola II—dives into a topic every event planner should care about: Adapt or Die.

Events are living things. And just like any good cause, they have to evolve to survive. The team talks about what happens when your fundraiser starts feeling stale—declining ticket sales, bored guests, and the dreaded “we’ve always done it this way” mindset—and how to breathe new life into your event before it flatlines.

From switching up venues and formats to rethinking your audience and price points, they cover what it really takes to stay fresh, relevant, and engaging year after year. You’ll hear stories from real events that took bold chances—some that paid off big, and others that didn’t—and learn how to adapt without alienating your loyal supporters.

If your event feels stuck on repeat, this episode is your wake-up call: change doesn’t have to be scary. It can be the reason your fundraiser thrives.

Learn more at https://handbid.com

Creating an Immersive Event Experience: Art, Music, and Guest Magic with Sky Madden

This week on Elevate Your Event, we are joined by Sky Madden—owner of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre and Executive Director of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Greenwood Village, CO—for a conversation about creating events that are anything but ordinary. 

Fiddler’s isn’t just a concert venue—it’s a piece of living art, a 17,000-seat amphitheater born from sculpture, sound, and thoughtful design. From the venue’s rich history to the 37,000-flower living mural, Sky shares how the team behind Fiddler’s has made art part of everyday life—and how that approach can transform any event.

They talk about why Red Rocks isn’t always the best guest experience, how Marjorie Park (once a detention pond) became a premier outdoor venue, and what event planners can learn from creating immersive, unexpected experiences—from fire pits and LED sponsor walls to champagne dresses and caviar on kettle chips. 

If you’ve ever been stuck in the ballroom rut, this episode is your permission slip to think differently. Because when you design for experience first, everything else—including fundraising—gets better.

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre: 

• https://fiddlersgreenamp.com

Museum of Outdoor Arts: 

• https://moaonline.org

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event!
This week, the Handbid Home Team digs into a topic every auction planner needs to hear: why some items soar—and others totally flop. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to knowing your crowd. Whether you're tossing in zoo passes, weekend getaways, or a family photo session, what works for one event could bomb at another.

The team brings stories from real events, data-backed strategies, and a few laughs along the way (yes, someone really did donate a vasectomy). It's an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how to make auction items matter—and how to avoid wasting space on the silent auction table.

In This Episode:

• Why “know your audience” is the golden rule for auction success
• Common item flops: overpriced services, stale gift cards, and awkward experiences
• How bundling, presentation, and pricing can transform boring into bidding war
• Creative ways to use gift cards, wine pulls, and raffles
• The danger of overpricing based on inflated FMV (and how to fix it)
• How data reports like Handbid’s category performance can guide smarter decisions
• Bonus: what to fix first when an event just isn’t working

Why It Matters:
Putting the wrong items in your auction not only wastes space—it costs you revenue. When you know your audience and use data to guide your strategy, you can craft an auction that truly excites your bidders and delivers real fundraising results.

Key Takeaways:

• “One-size-fits-all” items rarely work—tailor to your audience every year
• Presentation and pricing are just as important as the item itself
• Gift cards and small items can shine when packaged creatively
• Use data from past events to make smart, strategic choices
• Event flow, check-in process, and volunteer roles matter more than you think

Final Thought:
Great auctions aren’t about throwing everything into the mix—they’re about curating the right mix for the people in the room. If you know your crowd, you can turn even simple items into major wins. And if you're not sure where to start? The Handbid Home Team is here to help.

Elevate Your Event Podcast | Powered by Handbid

Welcome to Elevate Your Event, the ultimate podcast for fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit professionals looking to take their events to the next level! Hosted by the team at Handbid, this podcast dives into fundraising strategies, auction best practices, donor engagement tips, event technology trends, and nonprofit success stories.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to run a successful online, live, or hybrid auction
✅ Best practices for mobile bidding and fundraising software
✅ Creative donor engagement strategies
✅ Event marketing tips to maximize attendance and donations
✅ Expert insights from top fundraisers and nonprofit leaders

Whether you're organizing a gala, charity auction, school fundraiser, corporate event, or virtual fundraising campaign, we’ve got you covered with actionable advice to increase participation, boost donations, and create unforgettable experiences.

🌐 Learn More & Get Started with Handbid:
🚀 Visit our website: https://www.handbid.com
📖 Read our most popular blog post: "50+ Top Silent Auction Items & Ideas for Your Next Event" https://www.handbid.com/blog/silent-auction-items
📖 More event fundraising tips: https://www.handbid.com/blog

🔔 Subscribe & Stay Updated
Don’t miss out on the latest fundraising tips, event tech trends, and nonprofit success stories! Subscribe now and join a community of event fundraising professionals working to make an impact.

📲 Follow Handbid for More Event Fundraising Insights:
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handbid
🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handbid
🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/handbid
🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Handbid

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