Planner Roundtable for Fundraising Events

Mar 25, 2026

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In episode 112 we gathered six event planners to discuss what's working in a rapidly changing events landscape. The dominant theme is authenticity. Audiences are done with bloated, performative events and instead crave real human connection and experiences that feel true to an organization's mission. The group explores how planners are helping nonprofits respond boldly to current events, turning community crises and funding cuts into powerful moments for collective action and giving.

The conversation also tackles joy as a form of resistance, with planners sharing ways to build delight into every event touchpoint. Reflecting on the Elevate conference, guests highlight takeaways around storytelling, direct mail's surprising resurgence, and digital tools for nonprofits. The episode closes with myth-busting on event costs, overprogramming, and silent auctions, with a throughline message: less, done with more intentionality, delivers more impact.

Featuring:

Crystal Chanel, Press Release Marketing, LLC
Hannah Hegman, Do Good Events
Paige Jacobs, Powered by Paige
Matthew Kerrigan, The Fundraising Event Co.
Kel Moody, Alluvium Gatherings
Beth Sandefur, Beth Sandefur Events

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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

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