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Fun In Fundraising

Fun In Fundraising

Hosted by Rob Giardinelli

BusinessEntrepreneurshipSocietyCultureInterviews guests
WebsiteRSS feed

Episodes

180

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Fun in Fundraising is a podcast that gives you behind-the-scenes access to the people behind top fundraising galas. Ranked Number 6 in FeedSprouts’ list of Top Fundraising Podcasts, each episode features host Rob Giardinelli talking with the leaders behind the top gala and signature fundraiser event chairs, honorees, producers, and non-profit executives. These events featured on Fun In Fundraising raise significant sums of money by producing fun, memorable experiences with guests and attendees returning year after year. Each conversation highlights 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 15 years, Giardinelli has attended/chronicled over 2,000 galas, kick-off events, and parties that have raised over $250 million for some of the world’s top nonprofits. To learn more about or work with Rob, visit EventMindset.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 11, 2026Episode 18234 min

Dallas Children's Advocacy Center Art For Advocacy With Ashley Nowak and Laura McCallan

How does a nonprofit successfully curate a cohesive silent and live auction for their annual gala or signature fundraising event? Today, I talk with Ashley Nowak and Laura McCallan, two of the co-chairs for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center's largest annual signature fundraising event, Art for Advocacy. If you think successful art auctions are limited to only visual arts organizations, it is time to rethink that position. For many years, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center has hosted one of North Texas' most successful signature fundraising galas of the year. Last year's Art for Advocacy raised an impressive $2.1 million for the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, which allows the organization to provide services to provide justice and restore hope for abused children in North Texas. The event includes both live and silent auctions featuring works from over 70 top artists from North Texas and beyond. This has allowed the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center to draw a wide range of donors from the North Texas community, which has allowed them to expand their services and impact. Ashley and Laura provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including the importance of having a successful committee to carry out an event chair's vision, developing strong relationships between event chairs and a nonprofit to maximize fundraising impact, tips on getting artists to say yes and donate an item to your signature fundraising event, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

August 4, 2026Episode 18145 min

Abbey Lights Up COTA With Melissa Keller

How does a nonprofit successfully host an event in a unique, highly coveted space in a way that inspires giving and grows your fundraising total each year? Today, I talk with Melissa Keller, President and Co-Founder of the Abigail E. Keller Foundation to talk about the organization's upcoming signature fundraising event, Abbey Lights Up COTA. Held each year at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack, Abbey Lights Up COTA has grown over the years into one of Austin's top and most unique signature fundraising events. The event seamlessly ties to the organization and its mission through the late Abigail E. Keller's love for racing and an unforgettable experience she had at COTA before her passing. The result is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for guests that allows ABBEY Lights Up COTA to consistently grow its revenue year-over-year. Melissa provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including tips on effectively setting up an inaugural board for a foundation in honor of a departed loved one, maintaining strong relationships with top donors to grow a devoted following for your signature fundraising event, the benefits and challenges of hosting a gala in a unique space,  and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

July 28, 2026Episode 18053 min

V Foundation's Napa Wine Celebration With Jamie Valvano and Nate Ferguson

How does a nonprofit find keynote speakers that both move the audience and compel them to give to your cause? Today, I talk with former Sr. Director of Special Events & Operations of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, Nate Ferguson, as well as acclaimed speaker and cancer thriver Jamie Valvano, daughter of legendary North Carolina State Basketball Coach, the late Jim Valvano, the namesake of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, to talk about the organization's highest-revenue fundraiser of the year: the 2026 Napa Wine Celebration. The V Foundation is well known in the philanthropic world for curating multi-day events that are informative and fun. The V Foundation hosts over a half dozen epicurean events in select markets around the country, leveraging the power that food and wine have to bring people together to raise funds for the organization. The crown jewel of the epicurean dinners is the Napa Wine Celebration, which raised $12.3 million in 2026. The most impactful part of the V Foundation's epicurean events is no doubt Jamie's keynote addresses that occur at most of the events. She powerfully and emotionally tells the story of her father's legacy, the organization, and how the V Foundation's work literally saved her life. Jamie and Nate provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including tips on creating a successful, fun multi-day event, leveraging long-term relationships to create epic live auctions with once-in-a-lifetime packages, successfully setting up a foundation in honor of a departed loved one,  and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

July 21, 2026Episode 17942 min

The Art Of Combining Photography And Philanthropy With David Yarrow

How does a nonprofit effectively create relationships with talented artists to compel them to provide works that drive event awareness and fundraising? Today, I talk with world-renowned photographer and author David Yarrow to talk about how philanthropy has been a part of his business model, as well as sharing amazing tidbits on his book David Yarrow: The Collection. This includes the late movie legend and nature lover Robert Redford, who had his essence photographed by Yarrow on numerous occasions. For many years, top art and photography patrons have clamored for David's incredible eye for capturing the essence of both land and nature. His iconic works have gained him a devoted following around the world that has allowed people to look at nature in a different way. His largesse has extended to philanthropy, and he has donated over $20 million of his works to various top nonprofits from around the world. David provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including where his passion for giving back comes from, what compels him to support a particular organization, what inspired him to create his latest book, creating an environment to make high-profile individuals comfortable, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

July 14, 2026Episode 17831 min

How Great Décor And Tablescapes Create Conversation And Connection With Kimberly Schlegel Whitman

How do you create amazing tablescapes and décor that both wow your guests and foster connection? Today, I talk with best-selling entertaining author Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Founder of Trunk Curated, to discuss this important and often underutilized event topic. Tablescapes and décor are the one thing that can seamlessly highlight the theme of the event and create the environment to build long-lasting relationships.  Over the years, Kimberly has hosted five-star events throughout the world, ranging from intimate dinner parties for six to galas for over 1,000. Guests clamor for invitations to an event hosted by Kimberly, as everyone who attends knows they will enjoy amazing food, sit next to interesting people, and develop lifelong friendships. She understands better than anyone how the small details are the secret to creating unforgettable event experiences. Kimberly provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including creating the right mindset in approaching events of different sizes, using décor for themed events in an elevated, sophisticated way, the importance of strategically seating guests to achieve your event goals, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

July 7, 2026Episode 17746 min

How To Leverage Your Event Photographer To Capture The Essence Of Your Event With Priscilla Dickson

What are the keys to effectively utilizing an event photographer so they can seamlessly capture the essence of your gala or event? Today, I talk with Priscilla Dickson, Founder of PPD Photography to discuss this vital and important topic. I often state that the one item no nonprofit can afford to cut from their event budget is a quality photographer, and Priscilla is living proof of that. For over 20 years, Priscilla has photographed nearly all of Houston's top galas and signature fundraising events. Her ability to capture the fun and spirit of not only the events, but the guests, and the city of Houston has earned the trust of Houston's most beloved and successful nonprofit organizations...as well as the personalities behind them for personal events and parties. Priscilla provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including tips on creating a strong relationship between a nonprofit and an event photographer, how a great event theme allows an event photographer to capture the spirit of your event, making high-profile individuals comfortable so they are camera-ready, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

June 30, 2026Episode 17646 min

Creating An Effective Event Publicity Strategy With Jenny Selber Gustafson

What are the keys to creating an effective event publicity strategy that promotes both a nonprofit's signature fundraising event and its mission? Today, I talk with Jenny Selber Gustafson, Founder & CEO of Like Minds Communications, to discuss this critical topic. For nearly a decade, Like Minds Communications has successfully created mission-driven publicity and marketing strategies for many top nonprofit organizations in the Houston area. This has allowed both Like Minds and the nonprofits to thrive in one of the country's most effective and competitive gala fundraising markets. Jenny provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including tips on creating a strong relationship between a nonprofit and a public relations firm, the importance of having a pre-event and post-event promotions strategy, developing long-term partnerships with top media brands in your market, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

June 23, 2026Episode 17547 min

Creating Impactful Event Videos with Kwami Ngaojia

What are the keys to creating strong, impactful videos at galas and signature fundraising events that both move donors and inspire financial generosity? Today, I talk with Kwami Ngaojia, Chief Relationships Officer of Beard and Bowler, to discuss this critical topic. Kwami has developed relationships with nonprofits all around the country, creating impactful program videos. Kwami & Beard and Bowler even have on-site production tools at their disposal to turn around videos in hours instead of weeks. This allows your event to organically and spontaneously create content during your gala or signature fundraiser to capture magical moments from your event to inspire more giving. Kwami provides valuable insights on creating emotionally impactful and financially successful program videos, including how mission videos are essential to any gala signature fundraising events, the similarities and differences between a gala video and a community impact video, how shorter videos are more impactful than longer videos, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

June 16, 2026Episode 17444 min

Developing A Strong Relationship With Your Auctioneer With Carrie Frugé

What are the keys to creating a strong relationship with an auctioneer to drive revenue and impact at your annual gala? Today, I talk with Carrie Frugé, Founder of Biddy Up Auctioneer, to discuss this critical topic. A sales executive, turned auctioneer, Carrie has spent a career developing strong relationships with clients to ensure customers are happy and remain loyal. All skills that are critical in maintaining successful donor relationships. A few years ago, Carrie decided to take her natural sales skills and pursue a true passion - raising funds for nonprofits as an auctioneer. She has already made her mark on the Austin fundraising scene and beyond, serving as auctioneer for high-profile events including the Round Top Film Festival Gala and EASB Live! Carrie provides valuable insights on creating impactful and memorable live auctions, including tips on raising a room's energy, understanding your donors, tying strategic donors to specific auction items/paddles-up levels, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

June 9, 2026Episode 17338 min

How To Successfully Engage A Decision Makers Chief Of Staff With Emily Sander

How do nonprofits effectively engage a Chief of Staff to build deeper relationships with top donors and family offices that ultimately drive revenue growth? There is no better person to discuss this topic than the founder of Next Level Coaching, Emily Sander. A member of the team that created the original Amazon Kindle, Emily has experienced firsthand what it is like to field inquiry after inquiry for something everyone wants to collaborate with. Many times, nonprofits look past the very people who are in the room when donors, philanthropists, and family offices make strategic decisions on giving. Effectively engaging a chief of staff and the personnel around a major donor is equally, if not more critically important than the principal themselves. Emily provides incredible insights on donor and principal engagement, including tips on building strong relationships with a Chief of Staff, how Chief of Staffs are the ultimate dot connectors, engaging a Chief of Staff in the event planning process, the importance of having a backup plan,   and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.

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