Dinner With Friends With Nancy Pollard

How does a nonprofit founder create a highly successful gala to amplify the organization's voice and impact in the communities they serve? Today, I talk with Nancy Pollard, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Austin Chapter of Friends of the Children, to talk about the organization's annual signature fundraising event, Dinner with Friends. The Austin Chapter, founded in 2017 with the assistance of 50 local individuals and organizations, provides long-term mentorship for children to break the generational cycle of poverty. Each child is placed with a mentor from age four through high school graduation. The organization has successfully used its signature fundraising event, Dinner with Friends, to expand its footprint in the Austin community. Their 2025 gala raised over $1.4 million to fulfill their mission. Nancy provides valuable insights on a range of topics, including assembling a strong board to ensure your organization's success, creating a strong following for your gala or signature fundraising event, successfully highlighting an organization's mission throughout the event to create the environment for a successful live auction/fund-a-need, and so much more. This is one episode you will definitely not want to miss.