{"podcast":{"title":"Fun In Fundraising","slug":"fun-in-fundraising-6056439","podcast_index_feed_id":6056439,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/funinfundraising/feed.xml","website_url":"https://funinfundraising.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/15911404/Fun_In_Fundraising_Logo_f97mxg.jpg","author":"Rob Giardinelli","episode_count":179,"summary":"Fun in Fundraising is a podcast that gives you behind-the-scenes access to the people behind top fundraising galas. Ranked Number 6 in FeedSprouts’ list of Top Fundraising Podcasts, each episode features host Rob Giardinelli talking with the leaders behind the top gala and signature fundraiser event chairs, honorees, producers, and non-profit executives. These events featured on Fun In Fundraising raise significant sums of money by producing fun, memorable experiences with guests and attendees returning year after year. Each conversation highlights how top leaders facilitate raising large sums of money to positively impact their communities in a fun, organic way. Rob Giardinelli is a sales executive turned ”professional guest on duty” through his work at esteemed publications The Society Diaries and Society Texas. During the past 15 years, Giardinelli has attended/chronicled over 2,000 galas, kick-off events, and parties that have raised over $250 million for some of the world’s top nonprofits. To learn more about or work with Rob, visit EventMindset.com","last_synced_at":"2026-07-29T02:19:56.160263+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/fun-in-fundraising-6056439"},"episode":{"title":"Texas Independence Day Dinner With Jacqui Schraad And Krystle Alvarado","slug":"texas-independence-day-dinner-with-jacqui-schraad-and-krystle-alvarado","published_at":"2026-02-24T14:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/fun-in-fundraising-6056439/texas-independence-day-dinner-with-jacqui-schraad-and-krystle-alvarado","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/fun-in-fundraising-6056439","url":"https://funinfundraising.podbean.com/e/texas-independence-day-dinner-with-jacqui-schraad-and-krystle-alvarado/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/3gms9376vqsvgfbc/Jacqui_Schraad_and_Krystle_Alvarado_-_Texas_Independence_Day_Dinnera1d81.mp3","summary":"How does hiring an effective event producer for your gala help free up resources to drive more revenue? Today, I talk with Jacqui Schraad, Executive Director of the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and Krystle Alvardo, Principal of Alvarado Consulting, to talk about the Texas Independence Day Dinner. One of Texas's most anticipated fundraising galas each year, the Texas Independence Day Dinner draws hundreds of patrons from all corners of the state to celebrate Texas Independence Day. Over the past several years, Jacqui and Krystle have formed a model working relationship to create an elevated experience for guests while increasing fundraising. Last year's Texas Independence Day Dinner raised a record $1.29 million for the Foundation, with the proceeds benefiting the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The 2026 Texas Independence Day Dinner will honor two Texas Legends: University of Texas Basketball Coach Emeritus Jody Conrat and trailblazing education leader Ruth J. Simmons. Jacqui and Krystle provide valuable insights on a range of topics, including tips on creating an event that resonates with people from multiple markets, how to develop a strong, long-term relationship between a nonprofit and event producer, planning event details around honorees, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.","meta_description":"How does hiring an effective event producer for your gala help free up resources to drive more revenue? Today, I talk with Jacqui Schraad, Executive Direc…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2220,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fun-in-fundraising-6056439/episodes/texas-independence-day-dinner-with-jacqui-schraad-and-krystle-alvarado/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/fun-in-fundraising-6056439/texas-independence-day-dinner-with-jacqui-schraad-and-krystle-alvarado.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}