Fun In Fundraising
Fun In Fundraising
Podcast Description
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 https://eventmindset.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes centered around effective fundraising strategies, community engagement, and event planning, with episodes that delve into specific topics like maximizing donor involvement, innovative event themes, and the role of celebrities in fundraising efforts. Examples include discussions on the Mavs Ball's success in increasing donations over the years and tips on creating compelling event narratives to inspire giving.
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
How can a nonprofit with chapters around the country create a successful gala that both connects to the organization’s mission and has a local feel?
Today, I talk with Folds of HonorNorth Texas Chapter Executive Director Sarah Elliott to talk about the chapter’s largest signature fundraising event, the Folds of Honor North Texas Gala.
In 2007, Folds of Honor was founded by Lt. Col. Dan Rooney to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. Over the past 19 years, Folds of Honor has grown to 40 chapters around the United States, including the North Texas Chapter, whose 2025 gala raised a record-breaking and eye-popping $4.5 million for the organization.
Sarah provides her expert insights on a range of topics, including how to use a unique event venue as a way to attract (and maintain) donors, the keys to creating a successful paddles raise that effectively conveys the mission and moves the audience, getting a high-profile individual to say yes to attend your event in a way that is organic to the organization’s mission, and so much more. This is one episode you definitely do not want to miss.
Disclaimer
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