90. Fueling Classical Education: A Christian School's $298K Gala [The $10M Story, Part 4 of 5]

In this episode of the Fundraising Masterminds Podcast, learn how an average Christian school in the heart of Chicagoland raised $298K at their fundraising gala last year!

Join us for part #4 of the $10M Story as we sit down with Mai Wilson from Chesterton Academy of the Immaculate Heart. From launching a school in a borrowed church with just nine students to hosting a $298K gala that fully funded an entire year, we’re talking about the real steps, tough decisions, and bold faith that made it happen.

Hear how a stay-at-home mom with no fundraising background started a Christian school from scratch. Find out why they banned tech in the classroom—and why students and parents loved it. Discover what changed when they stopped selling tables and auction baskets. And learn how Mai raised $298K in one night—with no tickets, raffles, or sponsors involved!

So whether you’re running a small private school or are just tired of hosting galas that barely break even, tune in today to learn how to make a real difference in your organization through the Perfect Vision Dinner Mentorship Program. Learn what happens when you cast the net on the other side!

Don’t forget to check out Mai's website at chestertoniheart.org to learn more about her Chesterton Academy, and subscribe to our channel for more inspiring nonprofit success stories.

Next week, we’ll be talking about how a maternity home raised $592K in San Diego. Don’t miss out!

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The goal for this course is to fully equip you with a Biblical basis for Development so that you can Win, Keep and Lift new partners to higher levels of involvement with your nonprofit.

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Episode Keywords:

christian school, classical education, fueling classical education, gala, the $10m story, the 10m story, the 10 million dollar story, 10 million dollar story, $10m story, fundraising gala, mai wilson, chesterton academy, chesterton academy of the immaculate heart, $298K gala, private school, small private school, small christian school, perfect vision dinner, vision dinner, perfect vision dinner mentorship program, chesterton, jim dempsey, nonprofit success stories, nonprofits.