The CEO's Role in a $500,000 Event with Jai Ferrell

When your organization's biggest fundraising event is on the line, where should the chief executive lead, and where should she stay out of the way?

Jai Ferrell, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, transitioned a long-running luncheon in her first year to a gala that raised more than $500,000. In this episode she explains who should make an ask, how to choose honorees, and how she spends every minute of the event itself, including the "wrangler" who keeps her moving.

If your event depends on you and you are not sure what that should mean, this conversation gives you a clear division of labor between you, your team, and your board.

This episode answers questions like:

What should an executive director do at a fundraising gala? Should I make every sponsor ask myself or ask team members or board members to do some? How do we choose honorees for a nonprofit gala? Should we replace our fundraising luncheon with an evening gala? How can a nonprofit host a gala without spending significantly more on the event? What does a nonprofit CEO do at a fundraising event? How do I get out of long and unproductive conversations at my own fundraising event? Links mentioned in this episode:

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta: https://www.girlscoutsatl.org/ Jai Ferrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaiferrell/ Expect to Win by Carla Harris: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/303288/expect-to-win-by-carla-a-harris/ Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Are Fundraising Events Worth Your Time? A 10-Hour-a-Month System with Mary Thompson: https://successfulnonprofits.com/portfolio/are-fundraising-events-worth-your-time/ Your Board's Fundraising Retreat: 6 Ways to Make It Count: https://successfulnonprofits.com/fundraising-board-retreat/ Join the live virtual audience for podcast recordings (and bring your question for the Q&A). Topics, guests, and times are announced in my newsletter, and you can sign up at this link: https://successfulnonprofits.com/newsletter-signup/