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Discover expert insights on event planning, fundraising strategies, and tips to make your nonprofit events successful in the Kilbreath Events blog.

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Fundraising Events Should Create Belonging—Not Just Donations

Every nonprofit wants a successful fundraising event. We measure attendance, paddle raise totals, auction revenue, sponsorships, and donor retention. Those numbers matter. But after hosting hundreds of fundraising events, I've come to believe that the most successful events accomplish something even more important: they make people feel like they belong. Recently, I read an excellent article by Mark Miller, "Donors Don't Just Want a Relationship — They Want Belonging," publis

3 min read

Galas Are Changing… and Honestly, That's a Good Thing

For years, the formula for a fundraising gala was pretty predictable: dinner, speeches, a live auction, paddle raise, dessert, and everyone heads home. That formula still works—but today's most successful fundraising events are proving that people don't just remember what happened. They remember how the event made them feel. A recent article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, "Galas Get a Makeover: It's All About the Vibe" by M.J. Prest (June 2026), explores how nonprofits acr

2 min read

The Next Decade of Fundraising Still Belongs to Gen X and Baby Boomers

Every nonprofit wants to know the same thing: Where will tomorrow’s fundraising dollars come from? While younger generations are passionate, engaged, and increasingly philanthropic, the reality is that fundraising success is still closely tied to where the wealth lives. The Next Decade of Fundraising Still Belongs to Gen X and Baby Boomers Every nonprofit also wants to attract the next generation of donors—and they should. But when it comes to major gifts, event fundraising,

1 min read

Stephen On A Podcast

Stephen was a guest on The Fundraising Elevator podcast. We had a roundtable discussion with some great fundraising hosts (auctioneers) from around the country. It is fun connecting with pros and helping everyone elevate their events. We talked about auction items, raise the paddle, and had some laughs. The Fundraising Elevator... Where we are all headed up. Take a listen here: https://youtu.be/O1zwUf2l3K8?si=8bxYm6yo6LJty5r3 And thanks to Samantha and Kristin for getting thi

1 min read

A great event runs smoothly. A great host lets the mission shine.

Stephen Kilbreath getting ready for an event! The right host, auctioneer, or on-stage presence doesn’t just guide a program—they shape the energy in the room, connect with your audience, and ultimately drive results. We’ve invested so much into developing and working alongside professionals who know how to connect, engage, and elevate every moment—from the first welcome to the final paddle raise. At Kilbreath Events we’re doubling down on that focus. We’ve curated a team of e

1 min read

The latest fundraising trend is NOT complicated

The most successful events today aren’t just well planned, they’re experience-driven . Guests don’t want to sit through the night. They want to feel something. We’re seeing it everywhere—stronger storytelling, more intentional moments, and rooms that are actually engaged. From the first welcome to the final paddle raise, everything is designed to connect. And here’s the part we love… It’s not about adding more. It’s about making each moment matter more. At the end of the da

1 min read

How Many Live Auction Items Are “Just Right”?

We get this question a lot: What’s the perfect number of live auction items for a fundraising event? The truth is, there’s no magic number. At Kilbreath Events, we believe you’ll always raise more money selling something live. Our fundraising hosts are trained to keep the audience’s attention, sell items in a lively and timely fashion, and make sure guests feel great about giving. So, what does the data say? In 2025, the average number of live auction items at our events has

1 min read

Using Past Event Data to Boost Year-End Giving

Your events aren’t just memorable—they are measurable. As nonprofits gear up for year-end giving, the smartest fundraisers are turning to their own event archives. With donor data, stories, and impact already in hand, your past events could be the secret weapon to finish the year strong. Year-End Giving Matters If you’ve hosted even one successful event this year, you’re already sitting on a goldmine of donor engagement. The stories, photos, and donor actions from that event

1 min read

Client Spotlight: L’Arche Tahoma Hope

It's always a pleasure collaborating with wonderful organizations like L'Arche Tahoma Hope . Knowing that our partnership makes a real...

1 min read

The Final Stretch: Because Last-Minute Shouldn’t Mean Last-Resort

We are finding that many nonprofit and corporate events need added help in the final stretch up to their events. Items like bid card packet/preparation, managing meals, a last-minute requirement for sound services, event management (like check in/out/data entry and show running), and event hosts. At Kilbreath Events, we are here to help. If you find that you don’t have enough hands, or volunteers, simply reach out, let us know how we can help, and we’ll partner with you to fi

1 min read