Level Up Your Fundraising Events with Connext
Galas, giving days, get-togethers, and more. Fundraising events are a powerful tool to engage your audience!
Join experts from Kansas City's nonprofit sector to see how you can elevate your events. Whether you're refreshing beloved traditions or forging new ones, returning in-person or innovating online, come learn creative ways to provide a meaningful experience and raise more for your mission.
Speakers
Josh Dampf, Owner & Creative Director of Josh Dampf Events, curates branded experiences for major brands. He excels at designing multisensory experiences for innovative corporations and philanthropies. Josh Dampf Events' client list includes corporations like Zoom Video Communications, The Kansas City Country Club, & Sporting Kansas City and philanthropies like Community LINC, The Folly Theater, & Mosaic Hospital. Josh's professional experience in graphic design, public speaking, and fundraising provide a foundation for events where every detail is purposefully designed, presented, and executed.
Allison Malott has been the Event Coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) since January 2020. In this role, she is responsible for the charity's two major fundraising events: Trent Green Golf Classic and Spark of Hope Gala (formally known as Red Shoe Shindig). Allison works alongside Kansas City's business leaders and volunteers while helping lead numerous committee members for each event. Starting as an intern for RMHC-KC in June of 2019, Allison quickly learned about the fast-paced environment of the nonprofit event world. Since taking the position full-time in 2020, she has navigated virtual and hybrid events, managed ever-changing health guidelines for event attendees, and most recently helped execute a total rebrand for the charity's annual gala, now known as Spark. Allison earned her degree in Public Relations & Nonprofit Leadership Studies from William Jewell College in May of 2020. She first found herself in the event industry working as a Venue Manager through college and has spent the previous two years working as a full-service Wedding Planner on the weekends. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog Margo, reading, and eating her way through all of Kansas City's best spots!
Tara Smyth is executive director of Big Slick Celebrity Weekend, and manager of Signature Philanthropic Events for Children's Mercy. In 2010, Kansas City natives Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, David Koechner, and Eric Stonestreet started Big Slick Celebrity Weekend. Every June, more than 10,000 people gather to help Big Slick raise money to support pediatric cancer research at Children's Mercy Research Institute. During Tara's six-year tenure as Big Slick's executive director, the event has increased its annual revenue from $1.1 million to $3.5 million, and collectively raised over $16 million since its inception. Tara is a proven strategic thinker with a talent for celebrity events. Prior to coming to Children's Mercy, she worked for over a decade in International Publicity for Warner Bros. Pictures and helped orchestrate some of Warner Bros. largest premieres and press junkets including the final Harry Potter premiere in London, England. Tara graduated with honors from the University of Missouri with a degree in communications. When she's not putting on large scale events, you can find her avidly searching the internet for the greatest travel deals as she dreams about her next adventure.
Christopher Stibbs learned about the power of advocacy and impact from a young age, which led him to a career in the philanthropic community. From the moment he entered the sector, Christopher knew he had found his home. In his current role as the Director of Philanthropic Engagement for Newhouse, Kansas City's oldest domestic violence agency, Christopher brings passion, energy, and creativity to his work, using the power of storytelling to connect donors, volunteers, and community members to the mission of Newhouse. Some of Christopher's current community impact initiatives include serving on the Core Planning Team for TEDxKC, Kansas City's largest, self-organized TEDx event; as a Centurion through the Greater Kansas City Chamber; his work with AFP Global and the local Kansas City chapter; and his involvement with the Loop KC, a millennial networking group. Christopher is a two-time graduate of Rockhurst University, with a Bachelors in Psychology & Criminal Justice, and a Masters in Management. When not working, Christopher loves exploring Kansas City, being around friends, and playing sand volleyball.
Program Policies
Nonprofit Connect may take photographs, screenshots, or video recordings at public and virtual events, so we ask that you read our Privacy Policy for more information. Each registration is for one individual. We kindly ask that you do not circulate your webinar link with others who have not registered.
So that we can serve you better, we want to understand who is in the room. You will be asked two demographics questions as you register for this event. We will never share your individual information, and we will only report on demographics in aggregate. Any questions or comments? Contact us at connextkc@gmail.com.
A Connext Program
Connext (formerly YNPNkc) provides learning and networking opportunities for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. We welcome people of all ages and professions, although most of our members are in their 20s and 30s and working in the nonprofit sector.
Date and Time
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM CDT
3:00 - 3:15 PM: Refreshments and networking
3:15 - 4:15 PM: Panel discussion
4:15 - 4:30 PM: Connext Board recruitment discussion
Fees/Admission
$5 for members and nonmembers
If this fee presents a barrier to your attendance, please email connextkc@gmail.com.
Not yet a Nonprofit Connect member? Learn more.
Contact Information
Connext Board of Directors
Send Email