Episode #105 | The Neuroscience of Connection to Transform Your Fundraising Event with Kristin Steele and Samantha Swaim

In this special episode hosts Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele dive deep into Dr. Paul Zak's powerful SIRTA framework from his book Immersion. They break down how organizations can apply brain science to create truly transformational fundraising events. Drawing from research into what motivates people to act, the SIRTA acronym stands for Staging, Immersion, Relevance, Target, and Action. These five critical elements work together to help guests feel psychologically safe, emotionally engaged, and empowered to participate meaningfully in your mission. The episode provides practical, actionable guidance for each component.

In our current "connection recession," where loneliness and isolation are an epidemic, intentional gatherings aren't just fundraising tools, they're pathways to building connections that make exponential impact possible. This framework offers nonprofit leaders a research-backed approach to move beyond transactional galas toward transformational events that leave guests feeling genuinely satisfied and eager to share their experience.

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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

 

| 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/

Immersion: https://pauljzak.com/books/

Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWAwlEVz5M

Dr. Paul Zak on The Fundraising Elevator Podcast Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSKDbgNSxZk