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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.