Are Fundraising Events Worth Your Time? A 10-Hour-a-Month System with Mary Thompson

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Are Fundraising Events Worth Your Time?

Successful Nonprofits Podcast – August 11, 2026

Host: Dolph Goldenburg
Guest: Mary Thompson, Executive Director, Appleseed’s Teaching Farm

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Episode Overview

In this episode, host Dolph Goldenburg dives into the oft-debated topic of fundraising events with Mary Thompson, Executive Director of Appleseed’s Teaching Farm in Northwest Arkansas. The conversation explores whether fundraising events are worth the nonprofit sector’s time and resources, with Mary sharing insights into how her organization developed a sustainable, high-impact event system requiring just 10 hours per month. The episode dispels common myths, illustrates key conditions for successful events, and provides practical frameworks for nonprofit leaders seeking to maximize engagement, donor cultivation, and mission alignment through events.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining a Successful Event (05:57–07:13)

• Mary’s Top Event: The “Evening at the Farm,” a farm-to-table dinner featuring local chefs, music, lights, and hundreds of guests, is described as both the most special and most successful event for Appleseed’s.
• Mary’s Criteria for Success:
  • Generates revenue for the organization
  • Guests have meaningful interactions/connections
  • Positive experience for staff and guests
  • Quote [06:46]:

    “Success would be that it generates revenue for the organization, that your guests have a meaningful interaction or connection while they are with you in your space, and that you walk away feeling like it was a great use of time and that your staff and the guests both enjoyed themselves.” – Mary Thompson

2. Smaller, Mission-Driven Events (07:13–09:52)

• Monthly ‘Kitchen Table Dinners’:
  • 40–50 person dinners, one per month, often indoors in winter
  • Success measured more by relationship-building and unique experience than immediate revenue
  • Quote [07:13]:

    “For me, the success of that event is less about the revenue... It’s more about being introduced to new people and providing a really unique experience. While you’re creating relationships... they come and find us.” – Mary Thompson

• Mission Alignment: Events on the farm connect guests directly to organizational work, going beyond the standard banquet hall fundraiser.

3. From Event Attendance to Deeper Involvement (10:25–12:01)

• Donor Pipeline:
  • Attending multiple events correlates strongly with deeper engagement.
  • Quote [10:43]:

    “Just about anyone that comes to more than two dinners becomes a donor of some of something – time or money.” – Mary Thompson

• Relationship Building: Multiple touchpoints forge stronger relational ties, making it easy to identify those most aligned with the mission.

4. Operational Sustainability & Time Management (12:15–16:25)

• 10-Hour System:
  • The monthly kitchen table dinners require only about 10 hours (sometimes 11, including outreach) for the main organizer.
  • Volunteer chefs and service teams are essential; logistics are streamlined.
  • Quote [13:11]:

    “We put a total of 10 hours into [the kitchen table dinner] for the person running the event... So those are absolutely worth the time.”

• Systemization:
  • Clear documentation, repeatable processes, defined roles for chefs and staff, and predictable supply needs reduce startup friction and enable efficiency.
• Event Evolution:
  • The process improved over time—early events took more effort and were less profitable.
  • Quote [13:58]:

    “They probably were not profitable in the first one or two... but, you know, with time, it definitely worked itself out.” – Mary Thompson

5. Myth-Busting: Why Events Sometimes ‘Aren’t Worth It’ (16:25–17:34)

• Large vs. Small Events:
  • Large monthly events (e.g., 300+ people) are labor-intensive, difficult for building meaningful connections, and often not worth the ROI.
  • Optimal size for intimacy and relationship-building: under 50 people
  • Quote [16:43]:

    “If you are putting on an event for 300 people every month, that’s a ton of time and energy... I think that if they’re less than 50 people, it becomes a meaningful exchange... It’s a relationship builder.” – Mary Thompson

6. Hidden Event Benefits (19:15–20:00)

• Beyond Money & Relationships:
  • Events can also function as meaningful stewardship and appreciation tools—offering seats as gifts, nurturing volunteer and donor relationships in authentic ways.

7. Common Event Mistakes (20:00–21:46)

• Missed Connections:
  • At large or poorly-designed events, guests may not interact meaningfully with staff, board, or mission.
  • Mission Disconnect:
    • Events often don’t reflect the nonprofit’s core mission, leading to less resonance with attendees.
  • Quote [20:41]:

    “When someone comes to our event, they get to know somebody on our team and have a meaningful exchange... I sometimes lack that when I go to another event because there’s so many people and so many things going on...” – Mary Thompson

8. Events as Community-Building Tools (21:46–23:37)

• Board and Volunteer Engagement:
  • Intimate events are ideal environments for board members and volunteers to build rapport with both guests and each other.
  • Audience Self-Selection:
    • People who are most likely to support the mission are naturally attracted to unique, mission-driven events.
    • Quote [23:15]:

      “It’s a self-selecting process for the people that we want to get to know better, the people that are drawn to these events.” – Mary Thompson

9. Key Takeaways from Dolph (23:37–24:23)

• Be intentional about event size and goal (relationship-building vs. direct fundraising)
• Systematize events for long-term sustainability
• Host events in your own space to amplify mission connection
• Consistency improves recruitment, process, and outcomes over time

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mary on scaling efforts:

  “Everything’s on repeat. We have basically our outreach list to chefs, a document that outlines exactly what the chef’s role is… three steps or so based on the fact that we’re repeating the same process over and over.” [15:38]

• Dolph on meaningful event design:

  “It’s not like you’re saying, ‘Hey, come to a ballroom downtown, eat a rubber chicken dinner and broccoli… and we’re going to talk to you all about fresh fruits and vegetables.’” [09:26]

• Fun Story: Bear Encounter (Two Truths and a Lie, 24:30–27:10):
  Mary recounts a dramatic close encounter with a grizzly bear in Yellowstone, illustrating her adventurous side and providing a lighthearted moment in the episode.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 05:57–07:13 – Definition of event success
• 07:13–09:52 – The ‘kitchen table’ dinner model and mission integration
• 10:25–12:01 – Gauging event impact on donor pipeline
• 12:15–16:25 – Event systemization and minimizing staff time
• 16:25–17:34 – Why the “events aren't worth it” myth persists
• 19:15–20:00 – Unseen benefits: stewardship and appreciation
• 20:00–21:46 – Event pitfalls: missed connections, mission dilution
• 21:46–23:37 – Board/volunteer engagement, audience self-selection
• 23:37–24:23 – Dolph’s practical takeaways
• 24:30–27:10 – Bear encounter story (Two Truths and a Lie)

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Conclusion

This episode dispels the myth that fundraising events are never worth the time. Instead, Mary Thompson presents a compelling case for small, systematized, mission-driven gatherings that both cultivate deep relationships and provide sustainable revenue. The key is clarity of purpose, consistent execution, and strong alignment with organizational values and mission. Mary’s 10-hour-a-month event system is an inspiring model for nonprofit leaders seeking more impact with less burnout.

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Recommended Episodes (as per Dolph Goldenburg):

• Episodes 91 & 92: Flipping Small Fundraising Events on Their Heads with Sheri Trular
• Episode 174: Help Donors Fall in Love with Your Organization with Abra Annis

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Transcript

[A]

Putting on an event for 300 people every month. That's a ton of time and energy. And I don't think there's a way you can connect with each person at that event and have a meaningful interaction. It becomes a different experience. I think that if they're less than 50 people, it becomes a meaningful exchange. You feel like you're connected. You're with a group of people that you get to know over the course of the evening and it's a relationship Builders.

[B]

If you were preparing to hire, you're struggling with turnover or wondering why some good on paper candidates just did not become strong long term employees. I am offering a free online training to help you recruit rock stars to your team. The training is on Wednesday, August 19th at 1pm Eastern. And real quick, when I say recruit rock stars, I don't mean the flashiest candidate or the person with the most impressive resume. I'm talking about someone who can do the job really well, fits your organization, shows up consistently, and is likely to stay. In this training I share how to strengthen your hiring process so that you're not just hoping you picked the right person. You'll learn a process that I have used to make better hiring decisions as an interim executive director and have seen many of my clients implement as well. And they have implemented this with strong results. So if you'd like to join me for the August 19th training, please visit successful nonprofits.comtrainings that is successfulnonprofits.com trainings. Welcome to the Successful Nonprofits Podcast. I'm your host, Dolph Goldenberg and friends. Today I'm here with someone who feels like a really good friend, Mary Thompson. And Mary and I are going to be talking about some myth busting and specifically the myth around events and whether or not they're worth your time, your team's time, and your organization's time. If anyone has ever said to you that events are not worth your time, and admittedly I've said that at times in my career as a consultant. Today's guest, Mary Thompson, is going to share her personal experience of events and how they can be a great way to raise money. Friends, I'm so excited to introduce you to my friend Mary Thompson because she's an incredible human being. She is the Executive Director of Appleseed's Teaching Farm in Northwest Arkansas and she's been doing that for about a dozen years. During her tenure she has overseen the steady growth of the organization and I've been really honored to be a part of her and her organization's Journey the last few years, first as an executive coach and then to facilitate their strategic planning process. In both of those engagements, I was so impressed with Mary. And I'll tell you, I'm impressed with her almost every time I have an interaction. She is a genuine and authentic leader and an incredible planner and phenomenal at execution. It is rare that you see all three of those in a nonprofit leader. In the theater, they say triple threat, which I think means like, you can sing, you can dance, and you can act. Well, in the nonprofit world, Mary's a triple threat. She's an authentic leader, a great planner, and amazing at execution. Now, when I learned that Mary has a degree in architecture and also had her own design firm, I wasn't surprised by any of this. Architects and designers, those are folks that have to plan and execute effectively, but they're executing in a way that requires that they navigate the shores between creativity and constraint. If the sky is the limit, with your budget, you can be amazingly creative. But when your client says, ah, this is my budget and I want something that's amazing, now you've got to really dig deep and be creative. And because every project that any of our organizations undertake require creativity and, let's face it, has constraints that make us not fully in control. Mary's a great person to talk about this. When I first asked Mary about coming on the podcast, she's the one who suggested this myth busting about events. I knew she was the perfect person to discuss it because I had actually attended one of their farm table dinners, I think, last year. And these are relatively small events. She'll probably talk about them. You buy a ticket to them, but you walk away feeling more connected to the people and the farm and the organization. This is a longer intro than I normally do. I just looked at the clock because it's like a three and a half minute intro. But Mary's that amazing and she deserves it. Hey, Mary. What? Welcome to the podcast.

[A]

Wow. I am super flattered by that introduction. I don't think I've ever been introduced quite like that before. Thank you. I am excited to be here. As always, it's a pleasure to talk with you.

[B]

Well, it's real and it's genuine. Mary, I have so much incredible respect for you, even on things that maybe sometimes I'm on the fence about, like, eh, are events really worth our time? So I'm also looking forward to you challenging me some when we talk. But. But I thought a good place for us to start would be what's been your most successful event. At Appleseed so far. Describe that for us.

[A]

Okay. Well, we do a lot of events, but I would say our most successful event is our annual fall fundraiser. It's called an evening at the Farm, and it's a farm to table dinner out in the field. You're eating your dinner where the food was grown. We have a multitude of really fabulous chefs that come and create unique menus for the. We have music, we have twinkling lights, we have hundreds of people. And it's a really fun and festive event that on all accounts, benefits the organization for the community to enjoy an evening, to raise money, to include sponsors, all of the things it does, all of it. So that would be our. Our most special event of the year.

[B]

It's your most special and probably your most successful. How do you define success?

[A]

I define that in a few ways. So success would be that it generates revenue for the organization, that your guests have a meaningful interaction or connection while they are with you in your space, and that you walk away feeling like it was a great use of time and that your staff and the guests both enjoyed themselves.

[B]

And so that evening at the Farm, it sounds like it meets all three criteria.

[A]

It meets all three. You know, we do a lot of the smaller events, events that have a slightly different criteria for success, but so we do a kitchen table dinner event, which is smaller, 40 to 50 people. And for me, the success of that event is less about the revenue, although we do generate revenue. It's more about being introduced to new people and providing a really unique experience. While you're creating relationships with people that are coming to you because they are drawn to what you are doing, they come and find us. So the quality of those events are people come to us and. And then instead of setting up 50 coffee dates, we're having meaningful interactions with 50 people, all in the course of two and a half hours.

[B]

First of all, I love the fact that you have a different definition of success depending on the event. You're like, our goal here is to raise money, have a good time, build relationships. Our goal with this other thing is more about building relationships. How many kitchen table dinners do you do a year? I think it's a lot.

[A]

Yes. We do about one a month. So by the end of the year, we've done 12 usually.

[B]

So you do them in the winter, too?

[A]

We do. They become cozy inside events. Yes. We're very seasonal here.

[B]

Okay. It took me a minute because the one I went to is in summer, and we were outside underneath the pavilion. I'm like, oh, my. Gosh that'd be freezing.

[A]

Yes. Well, this is Arkansas, so we have about nine months of spring, fall, summer weather. So it's a very short winter. But, yeah, we take. Take everybody inside, so we're in the same room with the chef, and it's just a smaller event.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Now I'm like, Frank and I, we're gonna have to buy tickets for one in January or February. I wanted to see that.

[A]

You should come. They're a lot of fun. They actually all started inside the kitchen. So the idea was that the chef, the guest, all of us were in one space. You break down the wall between the chef and the guests, have meaningful exchanges, connect people to the chef, to the farm, where the food came from. And it feels like you're at a friend's house, really great dinner. But then they got bigger, and we added on an outdoor space so that we could have more people come join us.

[B]

So the other thing I love about your events, and I think this is part of the success of them, is that you're really connecting people to the farm and the mission of Appleseed's teaching farm through that event. It's not like you're saying, hey, come to a ballroom downtown, eat a rubber chicken dinner and broccoli that, you know, probably tastes like rubber, too, and we're going to talk to you all about fresh fruits and vegetables.

[A]

Yes. I think that's what makes. Makes me a fan of events, because we are bringing people onto our site for an excellent evening, a unique evening of good food that's connected to the heart of our mission, of what we do. So they're choosing to come to us, and in the. In the process, they're getting to know us as a nonprofit and what we do as. As our mission, as our work, and get to experience it in some form or fashion for themselves. So that's another area that really makes these valuable, is that we're bringing people into our space.

[B]

I'm not going to ask for an exact percentage, but roughly, like, what proportion of people that come to a kitchen table dinner, one of those, one of 12 dinners that maybe were not donors, they just bought a ticket or were a guest of somebody, walk away and later give again.

[A]

I love that question. Often what happens is people come to another dinner, and by the time they've come to maybe three dinners, they want to get more involved in one way or another, and then that's when they might become a donor or a regular volunteer. So I would say just about anyone that comes to more than two dinners Becomes a donor of some of something time or money. Um, but there's lots of people that just come once and maybe that's it, and they have a great time, and then they. They go on about their lives and do other things.

[B]

You're really clear about that pipeline. You're like, okay, if you attend one dinner, not quite as much attention. We'll invite you to more dinners. But if you attend two dinners, suddenly, suddenly our development team is. Is taking notice of you and saying, okay, we should be thinking about you as a donor.

[A]

Well, naturally, relationships form. The more time you spend with someone, the stronger the relationship. So with people coming to multiple dinners, we get to make lots of great friends. And the people that are really excited about what we do obviously stand out and want to participate at a deeper level. So it's very easy to figure out who those people are. Rather than us going out into the community and trying to find all of those people ourselves, it just flips the script just a little bit.

[B]

So I am curious, do you ever have board members or staff members or even donors who ever say to you, gosh, it feels like these events are so much work. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

[A]

So for our kitchen table dinners, we have a formula. It's become a system. So we put a total of 10 hours into those for the person running the event. That's the scheduling, the logistics, and the implementation. That's our average. And then we have a volunteer chef, and we have a volunteer team that helps with the food service. And we have everything in place that we need. We're not doing rentals and all of those types of things. So those are absolutely worth the time when we do our big annual farm fall dinner event. Those take a bit more time, a lot more logistics, but it's still totally worth it. When you add in all of the labor and the expense of the event, it costs us about 23% of the total gross revenue of the event. So it's still worth it, but does take more time.

[B]

10 hours for one of the monthly kitchen table dinners. I am really impressed at that. Is definitely a system. And again, I'm not surprised because you're an architect and a designer, and you're like, all right, let's create something and let's implement it. But I am curious. Does that include the time necessary to reach out and sell tickets, or does this event pretty much sell itself? Now,

[A]

we are really lucky that our events sell themselves. So, yes, we do need to post it online and get it out to people, but that does not take Very much time that was not factored into the 10 hours. So let's say 11 hours.

[B]

Oh, I love it. Now. Now, early on, when you first started to offer them, and you probably were not offering them monthly at the time, did it take more effort to get the ball rolling and sell tickets?

[A]

Absolutely. Sure. We were building something from scratch. So the first time you do it, you learn a lot, you refine, and you keep doing it until. Until it becomes a system. So nobody knew about it. So we, of course, had to educate people about what we were doing and invite them to come. And they probably were not profitable in the first one or two that we did. But, you know, with time, it definitely worked itself out.

[B]

So you just Brady Bunched that. When I say you Brady Bunched, what I mean is I always remember this one episode as a kid on the Brady Bunch where, like, something happened at the house while the parents were out, and the six kids had to fix something. But it's like they threw a party and the house was just trashed. And in two minutes, you see the house just looking beautiful and pristine. And I feel like that's what you just did on the. You know, we did it, we learned some things, and then we streamlined. I have a feeling like you. You probably had a process for actually documenting and streamlining the event so you could get it down to 10 hours.

[A]

Yes. I think at the beginning, it was because that was all we had. We didn't have a whole lot more. Now we have an event manager, so it's even better because she streamlined it even more than what was done before. Before we had that. Um, and it was with. I had a. A board member that was deeply connected with the development of these dinners. And so between her and I, we could work together to. To share the task and build it out.

[B]

What are some of the things that you all did to make this event so sustainable at just 10 hours a month?

[A]

Um, well, everything's on repeat. You know, we have basically our outreach list to chefs, so we have a period of time where we're reaching out to chefs, and then we have a document that outlines exactly what the chef's role is. What our role is to make it as clear as possible in advance. If the chef hasn't been here before, they come out one time, and we can pretty much show them the collection of plates and glassware and cookware that we have to work with so that they know exactly what they have to work with. And then from there, it's just communicating with the guests and setting up for the event. So we have it into, you know, three steps or so based on the fact that we're repeating the same, the same process over and over.

[B]

It's clear that you figured out how to make events that are, how to produce events that are successful. Why do you think the myth that events aren't worth it? Why does that persist in the sector?

[A]

You know, I think that if we were doing big, large events every month, I would not say it was successful. So if you are putting on an event for 300 people every month, that's a ton of time and energy. And I don't think there's a way you can connect with each person at that event and have a meaningful interaction. It becomes a different experience. I think that if they're less than 50 people, it becomes a meaningful exchange. You feel like you're connected, you're with a group of people that you get to know over the course of the evening. And, and it's a relationship builder. So I think the number of people has a, a big effect on how successful it is. And you know, the goal isn't raising money at these smaller events, it's about building relationships. And I think that's the other big difference between a large fundraiser and a smaller event.

[B]

Mary, one of my former clients used to do a big gala art auction. But during the pandemic, you know, in 2020 and 2021, no one was throwing and no one was going to a 500 person event anywhere. And so the first year they did it virtual, but then in 2021, they essentially turned their office space into an art gallery. And they invited people to buy tickets and come in six or eight at a time and actually see the art and be able to bid on the art. Their chief executives told me they're never going to go Back to the 400 person event again. The event actually happens in Oct. Well, October is really rough for her and staff because they end up doing like 40 of these two hour events over the course of a month and often weekends, evenings, et cetera. While it's rough, this is amazing because senior partners of big firms will come in and instead of seeing me, instead of me seeing them for two minutes at this event and then I have to go do something else, I get to have an hour and a half with them and talk to them about art and their partnership with their firm's partnership with my organization. What's more for a lot of these folks is it's the only time they actually go into the organization space and see it. So yeah, there's such value in finding ways to have events that come into our space.

[A]

I think it's super valuable. When people come here, we're not having to spend all the time scheduling appointments with them and setting up individual dates to have lunch or coffee or dinner or whatever. They're coming here for a special event. And then there's a unique interaction that happens, which is. It's hard to quantify.

[B]

Building relationships is one of the obvious benefits of doing events, especially in your space or for you at your farm. Are there other hidden or less obvious benefits out of course, than money and relationships?

[A]

It's a great gift of appreciation. If you want to give an appreciation gift from a. For a nonprofit to be able to gift seats to one of our dinners, it costs next to nothing, but it's an incredibly meaningful gift. So I think there's great value in that. It's also a stewardship. I mean, that goes back to the relationships, but it's a stewardship component too, where we can invite people back, you know, if it's been a while to reconnect or just to appreciate what they've done.

[B]

I know in your position, you probably go to a lot of other organizations, fundraising events as well. I know back when I was an executive director, I seemed to go to as many as I do now. And I don't want you to name names because I know that'd be unfair. And I also know you wouldn't do it because you're a kind, authentic, genuine human being. But what are some of the common mistakes you see when you go to other organizations events?

[A]

Oh, gosh, you're gonna ask me to critique other events?

[B]

Well, don't name em. Don't say the XYZ Food Organization. And Rogers does this and it's.

[A]

Well, I would like to say that when someone comes to our event, they get to know somebody on our team and have a meaningful exchange. I would say that I sometimes lack that when I go to another event because there's so many people and so many things going on that I may not have an exchange with somebody from that organization where I get to know that organization better. I think that we do that pretty well. I'm sure there's been some people that we've missed along the way, but I feel like that that is one area. I think something else that we are able to easily do is be authentic to our mission with our events. Our event is very much food focused, seasonal, local food. It encourages people to eat a healthier diet, so we're able to do that. With our event. I don't see that as often in other fundraiser events. Obviously, the nature of the work doesn't always lend itself to that, but I feel like just tying your mission into the activity of the event makes it a really big, big difference. And so I think that that would be the second area.

[B]

Nice. You know, one of the things when you were talking about the fact, you know, starting to build relationships with folks, and you and I already knew each other, but I definitely got that at the kitchen table event that I went to. What I was so impressed with that event is I think there were at least two board members who were guests and two board members who were volunteering. So I met like four of your board members in a single night, which is, I think, also pretty rare if you go to a 500 person event to actually have real conversations with board members.

[A]

Yeah, I think these events really lend themselves to that opportunity. As well as the volunteer team, they're all really committed individuals that feel like they're part of our organization. So the volunteers that are helping put on the event can speak just as well about our organization as the board or our staff members. So they all feel like part of our team.

[B]

Your events attract your people. So, you know, it's people who want to spend some money on a nice farm table meal. And probably people maybe like, you know, like Frank and I, we're foodies. So the fact that between every course, and I know this does not happen every time you warn me this, but between every course, the chefs would come out and tell the story about what was about to come out. Oh, my. Nonna would make this when I was 8 and it was a rainy day. But like, we really value stuff like that. And that's part of what I love about how you structure structured these events is, is it speaks to the people who are most likely going to support your organization.

[A]

I think that is one of the key ingredients is that the people that are passionate about what we do are more likely to want to attend this event. So it's a self selecting process for the people that we want to get to know better, the people that are drawn to these events. So it definitely helps us fine tune, you know, who we want to get to know better.

[B]

You know, one of the things I love, Mary, about what I do, and I know you've heard me say this before, is I learn new stuff every day. And so some of the things I've learned. Shame on me. I should have already thought about this, is like, know when you want it to be a Big event. And when you want it to be a small and intimate event. And know why, if you're going to do an event, make it regular and create a system so that it's less work over time. And. And then I've also heard bring it into your space and connect it to your mission to the greatest extent possible. So I know I've got some really good takeaways. Thank you. I also want to leave time for you and I to play Two Truths and a Lie. And I'm going to feel horrible if I get it wrong, but, you know, I'm terrible at this game, so.

[A]

Okay. All right, I'm ready.

[B]

All right, let's go.

[A]

One, I am building a tiny house right now. Two, I have been chased by a bear. And three, I regularly bike 50 miles.

[B]

I could see all three of those being reality. I believe you are building a tiny house.

[A]

You're right.

[B]

And I'll share with you. The funny thing that the executive director of the organization I just mentioned, the art, the legal arts organization, she and her spouse are about to do a major renovation in their house, and they're gonna have to move out. And they actually decided to first build a tiny house in their backyard and move into that as opposed to moving into an apartment. So I don't know if that's what you all are doing, but that's what they decided to do.

[A]

That's a great idea. That's not what we're doing, but I love that idea.

[B]

So I'm gonna.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And I'm going to explain why I say this. You are not chased by a bear. Because when I hear chased, I hear running, and I think a bear would outrun you. So I'm going to guess you've not been chased by a bear. But your face tells me that I have it wrong.

[A]

My face says I chose the wrong words. I have been charged by a bear. I guess I could change that. No way.

[B]

You were charged by a bear.

[A]

Yeah. So there's this. This rule of thumb that if you're with four people, a bear will not attack you. And so I was hiking with four people. I was the first to crest a hill. A mother bear and two cubs were in the field that I crested upon. And so she and her cubs started running full force towards me. But as all the other members of my party crested the hill, when the fourth one came on the hill, she made a direct right turn away from us. But I could see the hairs on her back going up and down.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Now, I know you lived In a number of places. What part of the world did this happen in?

[A]

This was Yellowstone.

[B]

Oh my gosh. So it was a brown bear or a black bear?

[A]

It was a grizzly.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Were you like terrified?

[A]

Didn't have time to be.

[B]

Did you have bear mace on you or no?

[A]

Yeah, we did. We always had that.

[B]

Did you have it out or no?

[A]

Nope.

[B]

I was just curious. I know I would not have either. I'd be trying to get out of my backpack.

[A]

Where is this?

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Do you remember which hike it was on? Just so. I never go on that hike.

[A]

Yeah, it was by Lake Yellowstone. Table Rock Mountain.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. Wow. I'm glad I got it wrong because that's such a great story. Well, Mary, thank you so much for coming on. And one of the things I definitely want my friends who are listening to know is that you can find out more about Appleseed's teaching farm and also about the kitchen table [e-mail] and if you look for best practices, and to me there's nothing better than going and seeing what somebody else is doing. If you look for best practices, whether it's you're a nonprofit farm or a nonprofit childcare provider even, you just want to see an organization that is doing mission driven events in their own location. You're going to get good ideas if you buy a couple tickets and you go to a kitchen table dinner. And by the way, you're also going to have some amazing food, meet people that you're going to love to talking to, and also, you know, become more of a foodie. Another feather in your foodie cap. Mary, thank you so much for coming on the podcast.

[A]

Thank you for having me. This was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.

[B]

All right, friends, again, It's a simple URL appleseeds nwa that's northwest arkansas.org and I really do encourage you if you're thinking about doing a small event that's mission focused in your space, I really encourage you to check out their kitchen table dinners. They have perfected this type of an event and you're going to learn something. If you liked this episode, there's really three I want you to listen to, but that's because one of them is a two parter. Episode 91 and 92, flipping small fundraising events on their heads for better revenue with Sheri Trular. And the second is episode 174, Help Donors Fall in love with your organization with Abra Annis. That, my friends, that's our episode for the week. I hope that you have gained some insight to help you and your nonprofit thrive. And I wouldn't do this, but the lawyers make me say it. I'm not an accountant nor an attorney by the way. I'm also not a professional chef and neither I nor the consulting practice provide tax, legal or cooking chefing advice, if that's what you need. Well, if you need tax or legal, I suggest you find a licensed, qualified professional. If you're looking for amazing, amazing connections to chefs, I'd suggest asked you to have a conversation with Mary and Appleseed's teaching farm in Northwest Arkansas.