Karen Sorbo Blog
Pioneering Fundraising Leadership: Reflections on Philanthropy, Impact, land Human Connection
I’m deeply honored to share that I was recently featured in Women World Magazine as a Pioneering Woman Leader Driving Impact Through Fundraising & Philanthropy 2025. You can read the full feature by clicking here. Recognition like this is meaningful. Not because it puts a spotlight on me, but because it reflects decades of s
The Secret to Unlocking Generosity at Your Next Event
No matter the time of year, nonprofit events require more than careful planning. You can have a beautiful venue, a seamless run of show, and a high-energy crowd—but if your guests aren’t emotionally prepared to give, you’re leaving potential on the table. In my experience, the most successful fundraising events are not the o
Why Emotion Matters More Than Money in Fundraising
When I step onto the stage at a benefit auction, I’m not just there to call out numbers. I’m there to hold space for something far more powerful than a paddle raise or a final bid. I’m there to move hearts. Over the course of more than 3,000 fundraising events, I’ve seen the full spectrum […]
Honoring Those Who Serve: The Power of Giving Back Through Benefit Auctions
There are moments in life and work that stay with you. For me, one of those moments was stepping onto the stage at the IAVA Hero Awards in New York City—an evening dedicated to honoring the courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. The room was filled with passion, purpose, and a deep sense […]
Building Donor Trust: Strategies for Long-Term Engagement
Over the years, I’ve had the honor of stepping onto the stage at events where I already know half the room. Not just the organizers and board members, but the guests—the donors, the volunteers, the couples who attend year after year and always sit at the same table. I greet them like old friends, because […]
The Psychology of Giving
Why Reading the Room Matters More Than Reading a Script There’s something electric about a fundraising gala. The lights, the energy, the buzz in the room—it all builds toward that moment when the ask is made and paddles start to rise. But here’s a truth most people don’t realize until they’ve been in the trenches…g
