How Technology Can Support Your Fundraising at Events with Andy Dowsett | Ep. # 130

In the season three finale, we sit down with Andy Dowsett of The AV Department, a technical project manager with over a decade of experience helping nonprofits deliver high-impact live, virtual, and hybrid events. Andy shares how his audio engineering background shaped his belief that great sound is the foundation of any successful fundraising event—if guests can't hear the emcee, auctioneer, or a donor's story, the emotional connection needed to drive giving won't happen. He emphasizes prioritizing high-value, low-cost solutions with quick setup times, and how getting technology "out of the way" lets emcees and speakers shine. The second half explores a case study: a 650-person gala for The San Diego LGBT Community Center, where the team used a handheld gimbal camera, remote ASL interpretation via Zoom, live captioning, and a donation thermometer tracking gifts. Andy walks through the technical elements and how they can enhance an event. The episode closes with his best advice: vet your AV team carefully and choose partners who can help tell your story with the least technical friction. 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.    Bloomerang: https://bit.ly/4hLqLVw Create the ideal giving experience with integrated fundraising tools and automated insights that maximize your impact. Keep donors close to the cause with mean-ingful outreach at the right time. Increase retention, major gifts, and all-around impact. Turn supporters into action-takers with tools that make it easy to recruit, organize, and engage volunteers at every level.   Feathr: https://www.feathr.co/ Feathr is a marketing platform built specifically for mission-driven organizations, offering simple tools for digital advertising, email campaigns, and audience engagement. The platform uses real-time insights and AI-powered segmentation to help you reach the right people at the right time—whether you’re nurturing existing supporters or discovering new ones who share your values. It’s marketing that meets people where they are, building relationships that last beyond a single click.   Speakers Samantha Swaim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-swaim-a28a9a4/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Kristin Steele LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-steele777/ Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies   Andy Dowsett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andydowsett/   | RESOURCES | Connect with Swaim Strategies: https://swaimstrategies.com Propose a Podcast Episode: https://swaimstrategies.com/propose-a-podcast-episode/ Get Event Help Right Now with Gala 911: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/gala-911/ Book Consulting Time with Sam: https://calendly.com/consultingwithsam Book Consulting Time with Kristin: https://calendly.com/eventstorytelling Learn More About the Elevate Conference: https://swaimstrategies.com/elevate-conference/ Get Planning a Successful Major Donor Event: https://swaimstrategies.com/solutions/#book Join Swaim Strategies on Substack: https://substack.com/@swaimstrategies Connect with The AV Department:  https://theavdept.com/