Episode #109 | Community-Centric Events with Nel Taylor

Mar 4, 2026

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In this episode, Nel Taylor—organizational equity strategist and ethical fundraising expert—explores what it truly means to host a community-centric event. They unpack how traditional gala models have long centered exclusivity, social status, and a narrow definition of donor value, and how shifting to a community-centric framework means rethinking everything from ticket pricing and venue selection to seating arrangements, childcare stipends, and who gets honored on stage.

Nel walks listeners through a compelling real-world case study, sharing the creative, budget-conscious decisions that made it a standout success, including sliding scale tickets, honorariums for community storytellers, and a paddle raise that went to an $18 giving level. The conversation also dives into practical tools for expanding accessibility, and aspirational budgeting practices that start with generosity first and work backward. Nel leaves listeners with a powerful guiding principle: always ask yourself what the most generous thing you can do is, and then figure out how to make it work.

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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

Nel Taylor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nel-taylor/

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