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PODCAST

Elevate Your Event

The Elevate Your Event Podcast is where we talk about how to plan and execute an unforgettable event that will dazzle your guests and generate more income for your organization. From fundraising and securing trendy auction items, to event production and logistics, get the best tips and advice from seasoned fundraising and event professionals who have been in your shoes.

business non-profit

All Episodes

34:44

What Most Organizations Will Get Wrong About Events...

Elevate Your Event ·

2026/01/28

Most fundraising events won’t fail in 2026 because donors changed. They’ll fall short because the experience didn’t.In this “home team” conversation, we call out what organizations are still getting wrong—and what the best teams are already doing differently. From the death of the “hybrid event” as a livestream add-on, to why “simpler” events aren’t a trend (they’re a correction), this episode is a straight-up standard-setting breakdown of what excellent looks like next year.What Most

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35:54

Events Are Not the Strategy: Building a Donor...

Elevate Your Event ·

2026/01/14

Jeff Porter is joined by Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritas Group, a fundraising consulting firm that helps nonprofits build stronger donor pipelines—from donor acquisition and retention to mid-level growth, major gifts, and planned giving. With nearly four decades of fundraising experience, Jeff shares a practical framework for how events should support (not replace) long-term donor development.Together, they unpack how to turn event attendees into mission-driven donors, why

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24:19

Creating Immersive Event Experiences with Opus Event...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/12/17

Episode summaryIf you’ve ever wished your fundraiser felt less like a hotel ballroom and more like an immersive, memorable experience, this episode is for you. Jeff Porter sits down with Nezhdeh Parsanj, co-owner of Opus Event Rentals, to talk about how thoughtful design, specialty rentals, creative lighting, and intentional photo moments can reshape any event—no matter the venue.With 20 years in the industry, Nezhdeh shares how Opus uses elements like glass pool covers, uneven rooftop

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29:56

Jingle Bells & Brain Fails: The Handbid Holiday...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/12/03

It’s back! In Handbid’s third annual holiday episode, the Handbid Team go head-to-head in a Christmas trivia showdown. From classic movies and carols to oddball folklore and Bible deep cuts, this episode is pure festive chaos—in the best way. Play along, keep score, and steal a few trivia ideas for your own holiday party or year-end event.Who this episode is forNonprofit leaders, event planners, and Handbid friends who:Love holiday episodes and want something light, fun, and festiveWant

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24:46

Matching Gifts 101: Turn “Free Money” Into Real...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/11/19

Matching gifts are one of the fastest ways to grow event revenue—without asking donors for more than they’ve already given. Colleen Carroll from Double the Donation breaks down how employer matching works, why up to $4–$7B goes unclaimed every year, and simple ways to bake matching into your pre-event, night-of, and post-event workflow. We also cover the Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation integration and how automated reminders do the heavy lifting for busy teams.Who this episode is

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32:06

Holiday Hits: Year-End Events That Actually Work

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/11/05

Episode summary’Tis the season… to plan smarter. The Home Team swap holiday menu takes (turkey wars!) and then get practical about running fundraising events between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. From low-lift “open house” formats to creative themes and revenue add-ons, they break down how to cut through a crowded calendar, boost attendance, and tie event moments to year-end giving without turning it into a hard ask.Who this episode is forFundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit marketers

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23:20

Adapt or Die: Keeping Your Fundraising Events Fresh...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/10/22

Adapt or Die: Keeping Your Fundraising Events Fresh and EngagingWelcome to Elevate Your Event—the ultimate podcast for fundraisers, event planners, and nonprofit pros who want to take their events to the next level. Hosted by the team at Handbid, this show dives into real-world fundraising strategies, auction best practices, donor engagement tips, event tech trends, and stories from the people making it happen.This week on Elevate Your Event, the Home Team—Jeff Porter, Elise Druckenmiller,

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38:00

Creating an Immersive Event Experience: Art, Music,...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/10/08

Creating an Immersive Event Experience: Art, Music, and Guest Magic with Sky MaddenThis week on Elevate Your Event, we are joined by Sky Madden—owner of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre and Executive Director of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Greenwood Village, CO—for a conversation about creating events that are anything but ordinary. Fiddler’s isn’t just a concert venue—it’s a piece of living art, a 17,000-seat amphitheater born from sculpture, sound, and thoughtful design. From the venue’s

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23:32

Know your Crowd: The Secret to Auction Item Success

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/09/24

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! This week, the Handbid Home Team digs into a topic every auction planner needs to hear: why some items soar—and others totally flop. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to knowing your crowd. Whether you're tossing in zoo passes, weekend getaways, or a family photo session, what works for one event could bomb at another.The team brings stories from real events, data-backed strategies, and a few laughs along the way (yes, someone really did donate a

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44:03

From Party Planning to Purpose-Driven Fundraising

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/09/10

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event!This week, Jeff Porter sits down with Shilpa Alva, founder and executive director of Search for Water. What started as a party-loving 20-something’s social gatherings grew into a global nonprofit tackling water access, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia. Shilpa’s journey shows how a single event can spark an international mission—and why events remain central to her organization’s impact today.In This Episode:How

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28:57

Centennial Celebration: Lessons and Laughs From 100...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/08/27

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event!We’ve hit triple digits—and we're celebrating big. In this 100th episode, Jeff and Mark reflect on the journey so far, revisit fan-favorite moments, and take you behind the scenes with hilarious stories, heartfelt lessons, and a brutally funny AI-generated roast of Handbid's own Jeff Porter.In This Episode:A nostalgic look back at standout episodes and special guestsAn AI-written roast that pulls no punches (boots, bourbon, and all)What Chick-fil-A,

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48:59

Golf Tournaments to Galas: Inside FCA’s Event Evolution

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/08/13

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this behind-the-scenes episode, Jeff sits down with David Farmer, Area Director for FCA South Denver, to explore how intentional event design, bold decisions, and donor-focused experiences have transformed FCA’s fundraising efforts.In This Episode:The early days of FCA South Denver events—from small golf tournaments to first attempts at galasWhy cultivating donor relationships takes more than one big event a yearThe power of “micro-events” like

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47:15

Securing Your Event: Insider Tips from a Pro

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/07/30

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this episode, Jeff and Elise sit down with Dan Donovan from Stratoscope to unpack the often-overlooked world of event security—and why getting it right is critical for both guest experience and event success.In This Episode:How decades of experience at the Olympics, Formula One Las Vegas, Dreamforce, and other major events shaped Dan’s approach to securityWhy event security isn’t just about safety—it’s about protecting your brand and

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54:19

Home Team: Roadmap Reveals & Top Feature Requests

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/07/16

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this episode, Jeff, Elise, and the Handbid team come together for an insider conversation on what’s coming next for Handbid and the most requested features from clients and the team alike.In This Episode:The top feature requests from Handbid clients—what’s coming and why it mattersHow custom questions for for-sale items can simplify merchandise salesThe demand for scheduled broadcast messages and how they can improve event communicationWhy purchase

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34:16

Unlocking the Power of Donor-Advised Funds

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/07/02

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this insightful episode, Jeff is joined once again by Mitch Stein from Chariot to break down the often misunderstood world of donor-advised funds (DAFs). From debunking myths to sharing real-life success stories, they dive into how DAFs can revolutionize giving at your fundraising events—and how the Handbid and Chariot integration makes it easier than ever.In This Episode:What a donor-advised fund (DAF) is and why it’s not just for the ultra-wealthyHow

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30:07

The Future of Event Check-In: Apps, App Clips, and...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/06/18

Welcome back to Elevate Your Event! In this forward-looking episode, Jeff, Elise, and Shania take a deep dive into how mobile app technology can transform the arrival experience at fundraising events.In This Episode:The evolution of mobile and native app technology since the early iPhone days—and why it matters for eventsThe difference between “lean forward” and “lean back” user engagementWhy native apps provide a significantly better guest experience than mobile web solutionsHow features

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47:50

Kickstart Your Cause with Confidence

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/06/04

Starting a nonprofit can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff with a parachute you’ve never packed. In this episode, Jeff, Inga, and Mark sit down with Matt Stockman to unpack his six-part framework—the Nonprofit Launch Plan—that helps emerging nonprofits go from overwhelmed to organized. What You’ll Learn:Why most nonprofit founders are driven by mission, but held back by a lack of structure.The six critical areas every nonprofit must address to thrive: development, leadership,

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54:16

Derby Day Recap – A Winning Event with Handbid!

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/05/21

In this fun and candid episode, Mark, Elise, and Jeff recap Handbid’s 19th annual Derby Fundraiser, highlighting what went well, what could be improved, and how they continue to elevate their signature event each year. From logistical tweaks to food upgrades, the team walks us through the behind-the-scenes moments that made this year’s Derby Day a hit.Episode Highlights:New Betting Software: Handbid rewrote its betting software from scratch, creating a smoother, faster experience for

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46:49

Creating Memorable Guest Experiences with Kim Tittle,...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/05/07

In this episode of Elevate Your Event, we’re joined by Kimberly Tittle, Executive Director of 15|40 Productions, who brings over two decades of expertise in crafting unforgettable events. Kimberly dives deep into what it really takes to elevate guest experiences—from arrival to farewell. She shares how a thoughtful blend of technology and human connection can make or break an event, and why guest comfort should always be center stage.We also explore the unique dynamics of balancing

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39:20

Derby Day Done Right – Behind the Scenes of a 19-Year...

Elevate Your Event ·

2025/04/23

This episode flips the script. No guests. No panels. Just Jeff and Mark diving deep into the history and evolution of one of Denver’s most unique fundraising events: Derby Day at Fiddler’s Green. What started as a backyard party nearly two decades ago is now a full-blown, high-end experience with fire pits, LED screens, custom cocktails, and serious fundraising power.Jeff shares how the event has grown, what they’ve learned (sometimes the hard way), and why creating a memorable experience

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111 results

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