The Anti-Gala: How Board-Led Micro Events Bring In New Major Donors

In this episode, I’m joined again by Nathan Ruby, Executive Director of Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH), who has spent more than twenty years raising major gifts, and doing it without relying on galas, grants, or flashy events. Instead, Nathan has built a deeply effective fundraising engine through micro events: small, relationship-centered gatherings hosted by board members and key volunteers.

Nathan walks us through the exact structure of these 45-minute “CPM events,” why they consistently attract the right donors, and how they eliminate the burnout, costs, and low ROI that plague traditional events. We talk about capacity-based invitations, board coaching, donor psychology, follow-up strategy, and why the biggest gifts usually happen after the event, not during. If you want a practical, high-impact, board-friendly strategy for securing major gifts in 2026 and beyond, this conversation will give you the blueprint.


Topics:
—Why traditional galas are expensive, draining, and rarely profitable long-term
—What micro events (CPMs) are, and why they outperform large events
—How to structure a 45-minute micro event for maximum connection
—Why small groups (even 2–3 couples) lead to stronger donor relationships
—How to help board members invite the right people with capacity
—The role of the ED in follow-up and major gift cultivation
—How international or remote nonprofits can use micro events to expand nationally
—Why fundraising is ultimately about relationships


For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here (https://www.splendidatl.com/podcast/t...)


Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here (https://christinaedwards.krtra.com/t/...) .


Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist (https://christinaedwards.krtra.com/t/...) for bonuses]

• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here (https://www.splendidcourses.com/sprint) ]

• Easy Emails For Impact™ - Turn Your Inbox into an Income Stream [details here (https://www.splendidcourses.com/easy) ]

• Donations on Demand: Build a $5K Email Campaign System in 30 min/week [details here https://www.splendidcourses.com/demand ]

• Double Your Donations - Raise More From Your Laptop Without Chasing Grants or Galas [details here https://www.splendidcourses.com/live


00:00 – Welcome back + Introducing Nathan Ruby (Part 2)
00:24 – Why Nathan hates big events and what he does instead
01:14 – What micro events (CPMs) actually are
02:01 – Why galas create burnout and low profit
03:12 – Why small events outperform big ones
04:45 – Structure of a 45-minute CPM event
06:10 – How the host sets the tone with personal storytelling
07:40 – Q&A format and connecting donors to mission
09:12 – Why you never make an ask at the event
10:08 – The ED’s role in follow-up and securing major gifts
11:09 – Coaching board members on who to invite
12:33 – Board buy-in and overcoming fear of fundraising
15:20 – Why donor capacity is often invisible
16:25 – How micro events strengthen long-term donor retention
19:19 – Why galas have terrible second-gift rates
20:09 – Comparing large events vs. micro events over five years
22:16 – Why plane tickets are a bargain for major gift cultivation
23:38 – Tools, templates, and how Nathan equips his board
25:55 – Final advice: Start with one micro event


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