The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

The Fundraising Elevator Podcast
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

The Fundraising Elevator: where we’re all headed up. Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele are using their decades of fundraising, event strategy and storytelling experience to help you change the world at your next event. Listen to conversations with industry leaders for insights and tools you can use to connect more people to your mission. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

  1. 4d ago

    How to Create a Fundraising Event Experience That Turns Guests Into Donors and Advocates | The Fundraising Elevator

    What separates a forgettable fundraising event from one guests are still talking about months later? In this fan-favorite encore episode, seasoned event producer Tanya Mikkelson breaks down exactly what it takes to create a guest experience so exceptional it turns first-time attendees into long-term advocates for your mission. If you're planning a gala, auction, or any nonprofit fundraising event, this episode is your blueprint for getting the details right. In this episode, you'll learn: How to understand your audience and tailor your event to different donor demographics Interactive and innovative engagement strategies that keep guests invested in your cause How to use technology to elevate the guest experience without losing the human connection The small, thoughtful touches that have an outsized impact on guest satisfaction Common event planning pitfalls and Tanya's practical solutions for avoiding them How to collect and actually use guest feedback to improve future events Real-life success stories from Tanya's career as a professional event producer Whether you're a first-time event planner or a seasoned development professional, this episode will help you think beyond logistics and start designing experiences that deepen donor relationships and extend your organization's reach long after the event ends. 🎧 Subscribe to The Fundraising Elevator so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thefundraisingelevator  ⭐ Leave a review it helps other nonprofit professionals find the show. The Fundraising Elevator is a production of swaimstrategies.com sponsored by The AV Department, Bloomerang, and Feathr.

    How to Create a Fundraising Event Experience That Turns Guests Into Donors and Advocates | The Fundraising Elevator

  2. Aug 19

    The Science Behind Why Fundraising Events Work (And Why You Shouldn't Cancel Yours) | The Fundraising Elevator

    Thinking about scaling back or canceling your next fundraising event? The science says don't. In this fan-favorite encore episode, hosts Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim make a compelling, research-backed case for why in-person fundraising events are more powerful than ever, and how to run them in a way that actually moves donors to give. From the neuroscience of shared experiences to the psychology of collective giving, this episode will change the way you think about every event you host. In this episode, you'll learn: The neuroscience behind why gatherings work — including how shared experiences literally sync heartbeats and build trust What "collective effervescence" is and why it's your most powerful fundraising tool Why oxytocin, neural alignment, and social proof all work in your favor when donors are in the same room How to use storytelling strategically and why trying to showcase every program in one night backfires Why removing transactional clutter leads to stronger donor connection and higher satisfaction The counterintuitive reason skipping the ask actually tanks donor satisfaction scores How to host with intention so your event builds the long-term donor relationships your organization depends on This episode is essential listening for nonprofit event planners, development directors, and executive directors who want to stop running events out of obligation and start running them as a genuine community-building and fundraising strategy. 🎧 Subscribe to The Fundraising Elevator so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thefundraisingelevator  ⭐ Leave a review it helps other nonprofit professionals find the show. The Fundraising Elevator is a production of swaimstrategies.com sponsored by The AV Department, Bloomerang, and Feathr.

    The Science Behind Why Fundraising Events Work (And Why You Shouldn't Cancel Yours) | The Fundraising Elevator

  3. Aug 12

    Double Your Fundraising Event Revenue Using an Anchor Gift Strategy | The Fundraising Elevator

    What if one strategic gift could double the revenue of your next fundraising event? In this fan-favorite encore episode, Brandon Lenzi, founder of Bowtie Strategies, shares the exact approach he used to transform a $500,000 event into a million-dollar fundraiser and shares how you can apply the same framework to your organization. Brandon also reframes the way nonprofit professionals think about donor relationships entirely: fundraising isn't about asking, it's about inviting donors to realize their vision for the community they want to live in. In this episode, you'll learn: How to use an anchor gift strategy to create collective giving momentum Why fundraising is a flywheel — not a water pump — and what that means for your year-end campaign How to sit on the same side of the table as donors and solve problems together The case for radical transparency with donors about funding gaps How to navigate a challenging giving environment by doubling down on individual donors Why donors are consolidating their giving and how to make sure your org makes the cut Authentic storytelling strategies that turn donors into true team members This episode is a must-listen for development directors, executive directors, and fundraising professionals preparing for year-end giving season or looking to level up their next fundraising event. 📊 Breakdown of the Million-Dollar Strategy: https://swaimstrategies.substack.com/p/how-to-turn-your-fundraising-event 🎧 Subscribe to The Fundraising Elevator so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thefundraisingelevator  ⭐ Leave a review it helps other nonprofit professionals find the show. The Fundraising Elevator is a production of swaimstrategies.com sponsored by The AV Department, Bloomerang, and Feathr.

    Double Your Fundraising Event Revenue Using an Anchor Gift Strategy | The Fundraising Elevator

  4. Aug 5

    How to Get Your Nonprofit Board to Actually Support Fundraising Events | Encore Episode

    Is your nonprofit board showing up for fundraising — or just showing up? In this fan-favorite encore episode, Susan Howlett breaks down exactly how to activate your board before, during, and after your next fundraising event so your team isn't carrying the weight alone. Whether you're heading into fall fundraising season or planning your next gala, auction, or annual appeal, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for turning passive board members into active fundraising partners. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fundraising is everyone's job, not just the development team's How to align board members with your organization's fundraising goals Practical strategies to boost board engagement and participation How to run more effective board meetings that actually drive action The case for building a culture of philanthropy from the top down How to leverage each board member's unique network and strengths Ways to recruit and retain a more diverse, effective board How to measure board engagement and celebrate wins This episode is essential listening for nonprofit executive directors, development directors, and fundraising professionals who want more from their boards — not just attendance, but real commitment. 🎧 Subscribe to The Fundraising Elevator so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thefundraisingelevator  ⭐ Leave a review it helps other nonprofit professionals find the show. The Fundraising Elevator is a production of swaimstrategies.com sponsored by The AV Department, Bloomerang, and Feathr.

    How to Get Your Nonprofit Board to Actually Support Fundraising Events | Encore Episode

  5. Jul 29

    How Technology Can Support Your Fundraising at Events with Andy Dowsett | Ep. # 130

    In the season three finale, we sit down with Andy Dowsett of The AV Department, a technical project manager with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits deliver high-impact live, virtual, and hybrid events. Andy shares how his audio engineering background shaped his belief that great sound is the foundation of any successful fundraising event—if guests can't hear the emcee, auctioneer, or a donor's story, the emotional connection needed to drive giving won't happen. He emphasizes prioritizing high-value, low-cost solutions with quick setup times, and how getting technology "out of the way" lets emcees and speakers shine. The second half explores a case study: a 650-person gala for The San Diego LGBT Community Center, where the team used a handheld gimbal camera, remote ASL interpretation via Zoom, live captioning, and a donation thermometer tracking gifts. Andy walks through the technical elements and how they can enhance an event. The episode closes with his best advice: vet your AV team carefully and choose partners who can help tell your story with the least technical friction. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Andy Dowsett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andydowsett/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/

    How Technology Can Support Your Fundraising at Events with Andy Dowsett | Ep. # 130

  6. Jul 22

    Boards, Donors, Sponsors Oh My... Let's Talk Nonprofits with Bob Speltz | Ep. 129

    In this episode, Bob Speltz, Senior Director Community + Public Relations at The Standard, offers a rare 360-degree view of the nonprofit sector as a corporate funder, board member, and personal donor. Bob breaks down current trends in corporate philanthropy, from strategic alignment and CSR integration to employee-driven giving programs and a shift toward longer-term, hyper-local partnerships. He shares practical advice for standing out in a crowded field of nonprofits competing for corporate dollars: research the company beforehand, ask direct questions, stay transparent about your own challenges, and build real relationships instead of only reaching out once a year with an ask. The conversation also covers giving beyond cash, like board service, skills-based volunteering, and leasable space, plus what makes fundraising events and nonprofit boards actually work well. Bob shares a personal story about the capital campaign gift that meant the most to him, and closes with his elevator advice: never be afraid to ask questions, since curiosity and authenticity are what build lasting partnerships. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Bob Speltz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-speltz-501b261/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with The Standard: https://www.standard.com/

    Boards, Donors, Sponsors Oh My... Let's Talk Nonprofits with Bob Speltz | Ep. 129

  7. Jul 15

    Marketing That Made the Difference with Mario Galeano | Ep. #128

    In this episode, Mario Galeano of Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena explores marketing that made the difference for his organization. Mario explains how the Eaton Fire, which hit neighboring Altadena, tested strategies in real time. With about 8% of the organization's major donors affected, the usual fundraising playbook didn't work. The team segmented outreach by geography and impact status, suppressing communications to affected donors while activating unaffected supporters, and personally calling everyone in the burn zone to check in. The result was deeply impactful fundraising, including funds raised for fire recovery. The conversation then expands into Mario's framework for how communications, marketing, and fundraising work together: communications builds trust, marketing drives action, and fundraising converts that trust into revenue. He grounds this in examples like a geofenced campaign tied to Union Station's Rose Parade float and the strategy behind Masters of Taste, the organization's signature Rose Bowl fundraiser. He closes with advice to move past vanity metrics, be honest about team capacity, and treat marketing as a revenue strategy rather than a support function, since sustainable fundraising starts long before the ask. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Mario Galeano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioegaleano/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Union Station Homeless Services: https://ushs.org/ Follow Union State Homeless Services: https://www.instagram.com/ushsnews/ Learn More About Masters of Taste: https://mastersoftastela.com/

    Marketing That Made the Difference with Mario Galeano | Ep. #128

  8. Jul 8

    5-Minutes for the Perfect Fundraising Ask with Kel Haney | Ep. 127

    In this episode, Kel Haney, a theater kid turned fundraising trainer and founder of Kel Haney Consulting, discusses her "Five Minute Fundraising Ask" framework. Kel shares how her unlikely path from working at Manhattan Theater Club into phone fundraising led her to make tens of thousands of donor calls over her career. She explains how she reverse-engineered her own success into a repeatable, authentic system built around empathy, curiosity, and genuine relationship-building rather than transactional "asks." The conversation dives deep into Kel's "four tent poles" structure for donor calls. Through role-play demonstrations and real client stories—including a $40,000 gift secured on a single call—Kel illustrates how "hosting" a call with confidence, curiosity, and candor can transform mid-level donor relationships, turn rejection into an opportunity to keep the door open, and unlock transformative giving that many organizations leave on the table. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show.    This Episode Brought to You by:  Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Utilizing over 20 years of nonprofit event strategy and production expertise, Swaim Strategies coaches and teaches organizations how to increase the impact of their fundraising events.    The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/ As a full-service event AV and video production partner, The AV Department’s technical event production and media content generation provide you with a range of experience and talent from a partner who wants to know you and work together year after year.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kel Haney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/ Connect with Kel Haney: https://www.kelhaney.com/ Get Kel’s FREE Guide 8 Phrases Not to Use in Fundraising: https://www.kelhaney.com/freebie-8-phrases Get Kel’s FREE Guide 5 Tips for Building Your Mid-Level Donor Relationships: https://www.kelhaney.com/freebie-5-tips

    5-Minutes for the Perfect Fundraising Ask with Kel Haney | Ep. 127
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4.9
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About

The Fundraising Elevator: where we’re all headed up. Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele are using their decades of fundraising, event strategy and storytelling experience to help you change the world at your next event. Listen to conversations with industry leaders for insights and tools you can use to connect more people to your mission. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Information

  • Creator
    The Fundraising Elevator Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

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