What does it take for an organization to host a successful fundraising event when the logistics are anything but simple?

In today's episode, I talk with Austin Parks Foundation Vice President of Marketing and Communications Katie Kennedy, and Events Manager Caitlyn Denham to talk about the upcoming Party for the Parks.

Held on the grounds of Zilker Park, one of the green spaces supported by the Austin Parks Foundation, Party for the Parks takes place between the two weekends of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. This exclusive event offers a rare opportunity to experience the expansive festival grounds in a private, after-hours setting, alongside just 400 fellow attendees.

Katie and Caitlyn share a wealth of valuable insights on everything from creating a seamless guest experience in a large venue, to crafting effective messaging for a unique event that both retains and attracts donors. They also dive into the process of booking high-profile musicians and much more. This is one episode you won’t want to miss.

What are the keys to highlighting artistic talents throughout a successful gala or signature fundraising event?

In today’s episode, I talk with Dallas Symphony Orchestra Chief Artistic Officer Katie McGuiness and Vanessa Cain, event chair for the upcoming Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala.

Celebrating it's 125th anniversary, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's top artistic organizations. The annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra space makes full use of the world-class Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center with spaces and experiences that enchant guests, including a five-star dinner, a concert featuring world-class musical talent, and one of Texas's best gala after parties.

Vanessa and Katie share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including tips for evolving your organization as your city grows and changes, strategies for effectively incorporating talent that reflects your organization’s mission throughout the night, and building a loyal following that spans generations. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

Having a vision isn't enough. How do you lead your community to get behind a transformative vision that will be felt for generations to come?

In today’s episode, I talk with Lynn and Tom Meredith, co-chairs—along with several of their children and spouses—of the upcoming Glow in the Park benefiting the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy.

Lynn and Tom’s leadership and vision has been instrumental in transforming Downtown Austin’s Waterloo Greenway into a world-class urban greenspace. Each fall, the organization hosts Glow in the Park at Moody Amphitheater, celebrating completed milestones and the ongoing transformation of the 1.5-mile, 35-acre greenspace.

Lynn and Tom share their knowledge and expertise on a range of topics including how to get involved in a community as a new resident, what nonprofits and startups have in common, how nonprofits can successfully evolve with a growing city, overcoming the naysayers who say your vision can't be achieved, and so much more. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with two transformative leaders.

What should an organization consider when considering a format change for an annual gala or signature fundraising event? 

In today's episode, I talk with Tena Faust, Board Co-President of Houston PetSet to talk about the upcoming Fierce & Fabulous Le Brunch. 

One of Houston's most beloved and successful annual signature fundraising events for many years, the Houston PetSet. Led for many years by Tena and her sister Tama Lundquist, the organization has decided now is the right time to shift the format of the event from a nighttime gala to a weekend brunch. Proceeds from this highly successful event are disbursed to other Houston animal nonprofit organizations in the form of grants to more widely impact the Houston community.

Tena provides so many wonderful insights on a whole host of topics including tips on finding cause that you are passionate about AND uses your strengths to make maximum impact on your community, ways to draw patrons from multiple parts of your city's philanthropic community, the keys to obtaining great silent and live auction items, businesses, and vendors plus so much more This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

How does an organization build on the success of a highly successful first-year gala? 

In today's episode, I talk with Shanna Schanen, Co-Founder of the Round Top Film Festival, and Round Top Film Festival Board Member Shonnery Pettit to talk about the second annual Round Top Film Festival Gala.

The smallest incorporated town in Texas, with approximately 90 residents, Round Top is well known for its annual antique markets. To further establish Round Top as a cultural destination, Shanna launched the Round Top Film Festival with a highly successful first year slate that was fueled by their highly successful kickoff gala that successfuly drew film patrons from around Texas.

Shanna and Shonnery provide countless valuable insights on a range of topics including how to use a gala to help build buzz for a festival, tips on drawing people from multiple markets for your gala or signature fundraising event, the importance of having a strong gala committee to from year one, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

How can an organization host multiple signature fundraising events throughout the year that engage various segments of its donor community?

Today, I talk with Karissa Condoianis, Senior Vice President of Public Relations for the State Fair of Texas® to talk about the upcoming Texas State Fair and other signature fundraising events the organization hosts throughout the year.

While many know the State Fair of Texas® as a place of family fun that draws over 2 million visitors to the fair each year, it is actually a 501 (c)3 organization. Operating on three core pillars to serve the Texas community: economic development, building capacity, community support, it offers support to many nonprofit organizations to positively impact communities around the state.

In this episode, Karissa discusses a wide range of topics including establishing a process to select nonprofit collaboration partners, how the organization hosts different fundraising events targeted at different segments of their audience, obtaining top musical headliners for events, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization successfully work with an event producer regardless of the size of your budget?

Today, I talk with Mia Sims, Founder of Mia the Event Diva and event producer for many notable events of all sizes in and around Central and North Texas.

Over the years, Mia has been a go-to event producer for everything from organizations hosting their first gala to longstanding, million-dollar events such as the upcoming Texas Advocacy Project's Black & White Ball. Her can-do attitude and ability to execute on budgets of all sizes has helped many organizations of all sizes achieve their fundraising goals.

In this episode, Mia discusses a wide range of topics including what organizations should look for when hiring an event producer, the similarities and differences in planning events with large and small budgets, developing strong relationships with organizations and event chairs, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss..

What are the keys to creating a successful foundation arm for your organization that allows you to create a broad impact on the community it serves?

Today, I talk with Kaitlin Mauro, Executive Director of the 4ATX Foundation to talk about the organization's signature fundraising event, the A Night In Verde Gala.

Celebrating its 5th year, the A Night In Verde Gala has quickly become one of Austin's top signature fundraising events. The foundation arm of the Austin FC soccer team, the 4ATX Foundation uses the power of soccer to help communities socially, emotionally, and physically thrive. 

In this episode, Kaitlin discusses a wide range of topics including how to create strong partnerships with other nonprofits to expand your reach, developing a unique theme that is both fun and ties to the mission of the organization, how the organization selects honorees for each year's gala, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

How does an organization host a successful kickoff party to keep guests excited about...and sets the tone for your upcoming gala or signature fundraising event?  

Today, I talk with Jenny Todd, Vice President at the American Cancer Society to talk about one of their upcoming signature fundraising events: The 2025 Houston Cattle Baron's Ball. 

The American Cancer Society is the nation's leading cancer fighting organization. Their innovative approach of effectively tapping into the spirit local communities is evident with the Houston Cattle Baron's Ball. One of Houston's top annual galas, the event draws well over a thousand attendees each year, raising well into seven figures for the organization.

In this episode, Jenny discusses a wide range of topics including creating strong event committees to carry out your events vision, tips on selecting the right theme to connect with your audience, innovative event activations to keep your audience engaged, and so much more. This is one episode you will not want to miss.

What are the keys to getting your board fully engaged in an annual gala or signature fundraising event?  

Today, I talk with Sarah Gilbreath, Central Texas Board Chair for Imagine A Way, to talk about their upcoming annual Imagine A Way Gala: Mad Money for A Mission.

Imagine A Way provides critical services for families who have children living with autism. Since its founding in 2007, the organization has helped many families ease the financial burden of the care required for children who have autism. Founded in Austin, the organization also has a second successful chapter in Houston.

In this episode, Sarah discusses a wide range of topics including tips on leveraging your board to find an effective chair for your gala or signature fundraising event, things to consider when considering opening a chapter in another market, how to keep your audience engaged throughout the entire night at your gala, and so much more.