Raise Nation

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A/V - check, checkIt feels good, right? You’ve checked everything off your list. You’re now ready for your organization’s annual signature fundraising event and the few moments to raise critical funds for programming and impact. On to the caterer.Critical funds for programming and impact.Fundraising events are hard work. They demand extensive planning, endless checklists, creativity, and sharp attention to detail. The stage presentation itself is like its own event within an event.The single most important goal for the mission moment and special event is to make a connection with your audience, to move them. So ask yourself, do you have stage appeal?Joey Goone, President, Utopia Experience, is committed to helping those who help the world. Utopia Experience is a full-scale event management company that focuses on A/V, event production, videography, storytelling, and entertainment. Joey and his team offer valuable resources to special event teams to help them create unforgettable event experiences that unite hearts and minds and inspire audiences. Utopia Experience has helped nonprofits raise over $30,000,000.In this episode, Joey steps off the stage and into the planning room to share a personal and moving story that drives Utopia Experience. He chats about experience trends, opportunities to increase fundraising revenue by 50%, and innovative, scalable methods to communicate mission messages. Highlights of the show include:

• Creating joy for donors.
• Making moments count.
• Avoiding the blind spots in event production.
• Creating an experience with video.
• Connecting audiences from wherever they are.

and the big three:

Connect. Capture. Cultivate.

Connect with Joey on LinkedIn: Joey Goone

To learn more about Utopia Experience, visit their website: Utopia Experience

Twitter: @utopiaentertain

Facebook: Utopia Entertainment

Vimeo: Utopia Entertainment

Instagram: @utopiaentertain

“Girls should learn history. And Make it.” — Malala Yousafzai. March is Women’s History Month. It’s a perfect time to check in with Indy Women in Tech and chat about their trailblazing efforts to make history.

SHOW NOTES:

The month of March is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of women to events in history, culture, and society. The annual Presidential Proclamation recognizes great women such as Abigail Adams, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks, Laura Shaw Murra (born: Laura Rand Orthwein, Jr.), a.k.a. Laura X, provoked a rally cry in 1969 to re-ignite and expand the largely forgotten International Women’s Day (tracing back to 1911), citing it was unfair for half the human race to have only one day a year. Today, people in the U.S. proudly pay tribute to their foremothers during the month-long observance.

Progress.

With the same fierce determination as the incredible women before them. Indy Women in Tech (IWIT), a nonprofit organization hailing from Indianapolis, IN, inspires women and girls of all ages to pursue STEM-related employment by introducing them to experiences and career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The team at IWIT is dedicated to breaking barriers and providing the necessary financial support, mentoring, training, and education.

In this episode, we’re joined by IWIT’s Jessica Maginn (Marketing & Communications), Ariel Crawley (Community Engagement), and Kristan Russell (Event Planning). This dynamic trio expounds stamina, perseverance, vigor, and attitude in the charge to close the gender gap for women in tech. They are developing everyday role models to change the narrative for women in STEM careers and encourage young women to be who they want to be.

Ada Lovelace would be proud.

Highlights of the show include:

• Importance of STEM education in grades K - 5.
• Ignite Your Superpower!
• Partnerships between local forces to assist women with entering, re-entering, or transitioning into the tech workforce.
• Education and training resources that empower women and help them succeed in a tech-related career.
• Indy Women in Tech Championship presented by Guggenheim.
• IWIT’s FREE events, workshops, networking, and educational programming.

@IndyWomeninTech on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Related Reading and Resources

IWiT’s Legacy Golf Outing Thursday, June 15, 2023, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Brickyard Crossing Golf Course - annual legacy fundraiser of the LPGA IWiT Championship supporting youth STEM programming.

Indy Women in Tech Summit Wednesday, August 30, 2023, registration opens at 8:00 am the Gainbridge Fieldhouse - bi-annual conference focused on the pulse of the current tech ecosystem headlined by prominent female leaders.

FuturisTECH Benefit (Trivia and Comedy) Wednesday, October 11, 2023, starting at 5:30 pm at Group1001 Headquarters - annual themed, fundraiser and auction supporting scholarships, mentoring, professional development workshops, and childcare grants.

Life deserves celebration, especially in the final days. When you are terminally ill and have nowhere to go, there is a morning light. Madison Gonzalez and Brittany Babbitt share a tender perspective on the final hours of life.

SHOW NOTES:

$50 supports a last holiday for a terminally ill person with nowhere to go.It’s incredibly difficult to wrap your head around such a heartbreaking impact statement. Terminally ill, nowhere to go, last holiday.Yet, there is light. Morning Light.Making a difference at the end of life is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization out of Indianapolis, Indiana. For more than 18 years, Morning Light has served its most fragile community by holding a hand, sharing a meal, taking a quiet walk, celebrating a holiday, or doing whatever is needed to help terminally ill patients live the time they have left to the fullest. Rooted in the belief that every person is worthy of love, respect, and dignity, Morning Light provides a home, free of charge. Without Morning Light, the unthinkable would be a reality.Leading the mission with passion and purpose, are two strong and determined women. At a younger time, neither of them saw themselves in their current role.

Madison Gonzalez, Executive Director

Madison Gonzalez is poised, inspiring, and extraordinary. Under her leadership, Morning Light doubled its fundraising efforts, delivering the highest-grossing fundraising events in Morning Light’s history and crushing goals year over year. Madison has mastered the art of nonprofit storytelling earning her numerous awards and accolades including the Raise 2019 Storyteller of the Year Award. She’s admired by her peers and enthusiastically shares her expertise and communication methods with the non-profit community. Madison is passionate about using her communication, organization, and event knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.

Brittany Babbitt, Program Support Manager

Brittany is warm, creative, and multi-talented. A servant leader, Brittany embraces volunteering as a lifestyle serving her church, mentoring communities. and planning events for Morning Light. There’s no denying the depth of her compassion. Brittany brings vigor and vitality to her work.  Her impressive background is multi-faceted combining outstanding performance in management, customer service, finance, and leadership. As an ordained Deacon, Brittany led many projects that provided care to delicate communities. In her new role at Morning Light, Brittany hopes to reach a greater audience and build a volunteer program that will not only serve the Morning Light ecosystem but the caregiving community as a whole.It’s no surprise that Madison and Brittany gave credit to their caregivers, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and supporters and made a point of a special shoutout to Julia Lagenour, a social worker, who lovingly manages the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home for residents.

Tune in and discover the hope and heart behind Morning Light.

In this episode Madison and Brittany discuss:

• Art of nonprofit storytelling.
• Leadership principles for nonprofits.
• Impact for $300 a year.
• Compassionate end-of-life care.
• Last wish campaign.

“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” — Amanda Gorman. There’s one team out of Mt Pleasant, South Carolina that’s brave enough to see the light and be the light. Katelyn N. Brewer, President & Chief Executive Office, Darkness to Light, joins Raise Nation Radio to talk about how their light protects children.

SHOW NOTES:

Child sexual abuse affects more than just children and their families – it affects entire communities. It’s terrifying to hear that child sexual abuse is one of the most prevalent public health issues facing society. One in 10 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. Even more alarming is acknowledging that 90% of survivors are abused by someone they (or their family) know and trust.Darkness to Light, a nonprofit based in South Carolina with national impact, is changing the narrative on child sexual abuse through a unique lens and 360 degree approach to preventing these horrific acts of child mistreatment. The nonprofit utilizes a Social Behavior Change (SBC) framework to guide their work. SBC is a proven methodology for enabling change at the individual, community, and societal levels to improve health and overall well-being.Darkness to Light focuses on three pillars of support for the prevention of child sexual abuse.

• Comprehensive Prevention Programming
• Advocacy for Stakeholder Engagement and Ownership
• Training to Improve Awareness and Skills Among Adults

Through their various programming, Darkness to Light engages adults throughout society to actively prevent child sexual abuse within their circles of influence. The nonprofit proactively targets four main audiences: Adults with Political Power and Social influence, Adults in the Community, Adults in Youth Serving Organizations, and Adults in Family.In this new prevention paradigm, programmatic reach is essential. And fundraising to support expansion, growth, and reach is critical. The intense demand created urgency for the development team to acquire and budget for best-in-class fundraising software to improve giving experiences and opportunities. Their research led to the OneCause Cares Corporate Grants Program to accelerate their fundraising initiatives. On February 7th, 2023, OneCause awarded a technology grant to Darkness to Light.In this episode, Katelyn discusses:

• What the OneCause Grant Award means for Darkness to Light.
• Myths about child sexual abuse.
• 5 Steps to protecting children.
• Why EVERYONE should have training to learn how to prevent, recognize, & react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

Planning a benefit gala could take up to a year (or more) to get all the elements just right to motivate generosity. At the core of your special event is the mission moment, the pulse for giving. With tremendous effort behind the stage presentation, when is the right time to market your appeal? Dean Crownover, Benefit Auction Specialist & Profit Consultant, and Author of Paddles Up, explores how marketing should kickoff long before you step on stage.

SHOW NOTES:

February 16, 2023 - Episode # 75

Promoting Your Event’s Appeal Moment Long Before the Stage Presentation

The planning list is endless. Committees, tasks, and giving opportunities are carefully planned to optimize a 4-hour window of generosity.

You’re feeling the weight of the mission moment and all the details of your stage presentation. It goes by many names – paddle raise, mission moment, special appeal, direct ask, and fund-a-need. But no mater what you call it, nonprofit experts claim that the special appeal raises the most at your event in the shortest amount of time. According to Swaim Strategies, it's the ‘single biggest fundraising opportunity at your event.’

Google it. You’ll find tons of articles on how to make the special moment perfect to inspire giving.

So it starts with with storytelling at your event….STRIKE THAT! Your mission moment begins long before you step on stage!

Dean Crownover, Benefit Auction Specialist & Profit Consultant, My Benefit Auctioneer, and Author of Paddle Up has more than 25 years experience in professional entertainment, comedy, and fundraising. Based in Atlanta, GA, Dean takes the importance of his role as a benefit auctioneer to heart. But he also brings a very unique perspective to marketing 'The Ask.'

Dean discusses how guests plan giving budgets before they step into the ballroom. It’s critical to connect with donors early, engage them emotionally, and demonstrate the impact of your mission. You’ll want to market the appeal just like you promote your event.

In this episode, Dean shares his expertise and the marketing strategy behind the special appeal.

Highlights include:

• Methods to promote your fund-a-need and identify what works best for your nonprofit.
• Best practices for marketing before, during, and after your event.
• Strategy to market your mission, engage audiences, and drive giving.
• Perspective on when and how to bring your message to life.