Join us for the first episode of The Fundraising Elevator, where we’re all headed up. We’re excited to bring you a fundraising podcast where we talk with experts, visionaries and great idea people about how to impact the nonprofit sector for good. Your hosts Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele talk to each other about what inspires them about gatherings and how we can make them impactful for organizations and engaging for donors. They talk about the art of hosting for any gathering and how it can actually help close the distance between your fundraising event program and your audience in order to take donors into the heart of your mission. Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show. 

A production of elevatenonprofit.com sponsored by The AV Department.

| RESOURCES |
Book Consulting Time with Sam and Kristin: 
https://elevatenonprofit.com/consulting/

Learn More About Elevate and the Elevate Conference: 
https://elevatenonprofit.com/the-conference/

Meet Swaim Strategies: 
https://swaimstrategies.com/

Connect with The AV Department: 
https://theavdept.com/

Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: 
https://elevatenonprofit.com/product/planning-a-successful-major-donor-event/

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker: 
https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: 
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/674289/unreasonable-hospitality-by-will-guidara/

“The Secret Ingredients of Great Hospitality” TED Talk by Will Guidara: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwcyXcOpWVs

Episode  #1: Introducing The Fundraising Elevator

In this episode, we welcome Kimberly A.C. Wilson, Executive Director of Hedgebrook, to explore how hybrid events and radical hospitality are transforming fundraising. Hedgebrook, a writing residency for women-identified authors, has evolved its annual event, EQUIVOX, into a powerful hybrid experience that unites a global community of writers, readers, and supporters.
Kimberly shares insights into the impact of virtual accessibility, the power of storytelling in fundraising, and the deep connections fostered between writers and readers. We discuss how Hedgebrook leveraged hybrid events to raise over half a million dollars, expanded donor engagement beyond geographical limits, and created a model for other organizations to follow.
Plus, get a sneak peek at this year's EQUIVOX, featuring speakers Claudia Castro Luna, Jacqueline Woodson and Dr. Seema Yasmin, and learn how you can tune in for free. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, an event planner, or just passionate about the arts, this episode is packed with insights on crafting immersive, inclusive fundraising experiences.
Loving The Fundraising Elevator? Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast. It really helps other people find the show. 

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. 

Greater Giving: https://go.greatergiving.com

DC Auctions: https://dc-auctions.com/

| RESOURCES |
Book Consulting Time with Sam and Kristin: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/

Learn More About Elevate and the Elevate Conference for Your Fundraising Events: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/

Connect with The AV Department: https://theavdept.com/

Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com

Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book

Hedgebrook: https://www.hedgebrook.org/

EQUIVOX event livestream: https://www.avcast.me/equivox

Virtual tickets to the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/


Episode #68: Radical Hospitality with Kimberly Wilson

The Fundraising Elevator: where we’re all headed up. Samantha Swaim and Kristin Steele are using their decades of fundraising, event strategy and storytelling experience to help you change the world at your next event. Listen to conversations with industry leaders for insights and tools you can use to connect more people to your mission. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

Episode #68: Radical Hospitality with Kimberly Wilson

The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

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