If you're planning a nonprofit fundraising gala, you already know the stakes. Your Board is watching the budget. Your major donors expect a room that feels elevated. Your sponsors want visibility. And you need the night to actually raise money, not just look good on Instagram.
That's exactly where I come in.
I'm Kristin Watkins, CMP, founder of Stephanie Rose Events and author of Fundraising Fuel: How to Plan, Execute, and Maximize Impact on Your Next Nonprofit Event. I've spent over 20 years helping nonprofit organizations plan galas, auctions, and fundraising events that are beautifully produced and strategically designed to hit revenue goals. I've worked with organizations across the country, helping them raise nearly $6 million dollars while creating the kind of guest experience that keeps donors coming back year after year.
I wrote Fundraising Fuel because I kept seeing the same pain points repeat across organizations: timeline stress, sponsorship confusion, budget overruns, program flow that killed the energy in the room. The book became a field guide for nonprofit teams who needed practical, proven strategy. It also reflects how I work with my clients: no fluff, no guesswork, just a clear plan and someone you can trust to execute it.
My background spans nonprofit galas and fundraisers, corporate events, and weddings, and I bring the same obsessive attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm to every event I produce. I'm based in Nashville and work regularly in San Diego, where I built my business and continue to serve clients. I'm available to travel and work with organizations nationwide.
If you're an Executive Director, Development Director, or Board chair staring down a gala season and you want a partner who gets it, I'd love to connect.
Grab the book: FundraisingFuelBook.com
Let's talk: reach out here or through my website StephanieRoseEvents.com