Jeff Porter is joined by Jeff Schreifels, Principal and Owner of Veritas Group, a fundraising consulting firm that helps nonprofits build stronger donor pipelines—from donor acquisition and retention to mid-level growth, major gifts, and planned giving. With nearly four decades of fundraising experience, Jeff shares a practical framework for how events should support (not replace) long-term donor development.

Together, they unpack how to turn event attendees into mission-driven donors, why events are often best viewed as a marketing function, and what it really takes to move supporters from a one-time paddle raise to meaningful, lasting generosity. They also dig into the role boards play in fundraising—where they can accelerate growth, where they can unintentionally create pressure, and how nonprofits can better educate and equip them for success.

In this episode (highlights)

• Why events are part of the donor pipeline, not the pipeline itself
• The difference between event donors and mission donors
• How auctions and engagement tools support donor acquisition
• Moving donors from $250 paddle raises to transformational gifts
• The role of mid-level donors and how to qualify them properly
• Why major gift teams should not be running events
• Common mistakes nonprofits make when events become departments
• How boards can help (and hurt) donor development efforts
• Setting expectations with table captains and event guests
• Using pre-event and post-event strategy to maximize long-term impact

Who Should Listen

• Nonprofit leaders and executive directors
• Development and advancement teams
• Board members involved in fundraising
• Event planners looking to align events with long-term strategy
• Anyone trying to move beyond “one-and-done” fundraising events

Links & Resources:

• https://veritusgroup.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffschreifels/

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀

Connect with Handbid:

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📍 LinkedIn

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Episode summary

If you’ve ever wished your fundraiser felt less like a hotel ballroom and more like an immersive, memorable experience, this episode is for you. Jeff Porter sits down with Nezhdeh Parsanj, co-owner of Opus Event Rentals, to talk about how thoughtful design, specialty rentals, creative lighting, and intentional photo moments can reshape any event—no matter the venue.

With 20 years in the industry, Nezhdeh shares how Opus uses elements like glass pool covers, uneven rooftop builds, LED sponsor walls, curated florals, and mission-driven décor to help nonprofits deepen guest engagement and create unforgettable environments. He also offers practical advice for organizations working with limited budgets: focus on one or two meaningful experiences rather than upgrading everything.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, development directors, event planners, and anyone looking to elevate the guest experience, increase engagement, and rethink what’s possible with their event spaces.

In this episode (highlights)

• How Opus creates specialty rentals beyond tables and chairs, including flooring, glass pool covers, LED cubes, and branded décor
• Why unique spaces (like backyards or rooftops) can outperform traditional ballrooms for guest engagement
• The power of photo moments—and how they can tie directly into post-event donor follow-up
• How to balance creative vision, brand alignment, and budget for maximum impact
• Why lighting design is a mission tool, not just an aesthetic choice
• Using florals, pillows, giveaways, and small details to reinforce branding
• When to invest in flooring under tents (and when grass is okay)
• Creative sponsor recognition ideas—like LED cubes and entrance walls
• The most memorable features Opus has designed, including walk-on-water photo ops
• Practical advice for nonprofits: start by choosing the 1–2 elements guests will remember most

Links & Resources:

• https://www.opusrentals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opusrentals/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/opusrentals/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Opusrentals
• Connect with Nezhdeh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nezhdeh-parsanj-1a7142a9/

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with a fellow fundraiser! 🚀

Connect with Handbid:

📍 Website

📍 Instagram

📍 LinkedIn

Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts

It’s back! In Handbid’s third annual holiday episode, the Handbid Team go head-to-head in a Christmas trivia showdown. From classic movies and carols to oddball folklore and Bible deep cuts, this episode is pure festive chaos—in the best way. Play along, keep score, and steal a few trivia ideas for your own holiday party or year-end event.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, event planners, and Handbid friends who:

• Love holiday episodes and want something light, fun, and festive
• Want easy, ready-made trivia ideas they can adapt for their own events
• Need a break from planning year-end campaigns and just want to laugh along

In this episode (highlights)

• Holiday trivia is back: Jeff hosts Handbid’s third annual holiday episode and lays out the rules, categories, and (questionable) scoring system.

• Christmas movie round: Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, The Grinch, A Christmas Story… the crew tests how well they really know the classics.

• Music & carols mayhem: From “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to record-breaking Christmas hits and hymn origins, Mark and Elise battle it out over lyrics and fun facts.

• Pop culture & party chaos: White elephant gifts, Chia Pets, Krampus, Montgomery Ward, NORAD Santa tracking, and Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat all make an appearance.

• Bible trivia gets real: Bethlehem, prophets, censuses, Old Testament prophecies, the women in Jesus’ genealogy, and titles of the Messiah—all fair game in the final round.

• A nail-biter finish: The score stays tight, Elise N and Mark trade the lead, and it all comes down to the Bible lightning round to crown this year’s holiday trivia champ.

• Steal this idea for your event: How a simple themed trivia game can add fun, connection, and energy to your own holiday party or year-end fundraiser.

Tune in, keep score, and see if you can beat the Handbid team at their own holiday trivia game. 🎄