315. Creating Purpose-Driven Donor Events + Unlocking Your Own Unicorn Sparkle - Matthew Helmer
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Overview
Meet Matthew. As The *DRG's resident Unicorn, he believes in embracing organizational change through novel ideas. This internationally recognized storyteller has led teams in the production of award-winning events, communications, and donor engagement efforts (tune in for a fascinating case study!) . We're chatting about how to evolve our teams, embracing streamlined processes and pitching creative engagement opportunities.
💡Learn
How organizations can reimagine internal collaboration and innovation
Case Study: Colorado State University Foundation's event & engagement realignment Incorporating data and metrics into the event planning process
Unlocking your unique gifts - straight from the sector's other Unicorn
*Donor Relations Guru is now renamed The DRG Group. So proud of you for this brave move, friends. Check out the announcement here.
Today’s Guest
Matthew Helmer, Consultant and Strategist, DRG Group
“For me, it is about becoming the person I was always meant to be and letting that person show up in all situations. It is the opposite of conformity.”
Episode Transcript
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Episode Highlights
Matthew’s story and journey to where he is today (3:00)
Experiencing organizational change at Colorado State University (9:00)
Centralized event management in higher education (12:00)
Creating meaningful events and experiences (19:00)
An example of bringing these philosophies to life (25:00)
Releasing the inner unicorn in all of us (39:00)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Matthew’s life (44:00)
Matthew’s One Good Thing: Gratitude. (49:00)
How to connect with Matthew (51:00)
Powerful quotes
“I didn’t intend, like most of us, to have a career in fundraising and nonprofit work.” -Matthew
“My family does love to party and so I was around that hospitality, bringing people together. We have a large family and then everybody in the town becomes your family.” -Matthew
“I just fell in love with the the magic that comes from events, in the stories that we tell through those experiences and the community that we create by sharing that experience with others.” -Matthew
“I've had a lot of that in my life, not really knowing how but I can bring people on who can create the how.” -Matthew
“If I don't understand why I'm doing something, then I more easily lose interest.” -Matthew
“It's important to me that purpose comes to life through the entire story of the event.” -Matthew
“For me, it is about becoming the person I was always meant to be and letting that person show up in all situations. It is the opposite of conformity.” -Matthew
“We all have aspects of ourselves that we just need to discover and leverage them because it's freeing, and it benefits the world and others around us.” -Matthew
“Gratitude offers me hope.” -Matthew
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Episode Sponosor
Studio Selfie
Julie Confer, Becky Endicott, Jonathan McCoy & Matthew Helmer
