Your Fundraising Gala Should Raise More Money. We Make Sure It Does.

San Diego & Nashville event planner. Nonprofit gala specialist. Author of Fundraising Fuel.

Stephanie Rose Events specializes in nonprofit fundraising galas, auctions, and signature events — beautifully produced and strategically built to hit revenue goals. With more than 20 years of experience and nearly $6 million raised for the organizations we’ve served, we know what it takes to create a night that moves donors and moves the needle.

We work closely with Executive Directors, Development Directors, and Board leadership to take the stress out of gala season. From venue selection and vendor management to program flow and sponsorship strategy, every detail is handled with intention — so your team can focus on your mission while we focus on the room.

Our approach is grounded in proven strategy, not guesswork. It’s the same methodology behind Fundraising Fuel, the field guide for nonprofit event planning written by our founder, Kristin Watkins, CMP. Whether you’re planning your organization’s first gala or looking to elevate an established event, we bring the same obsessive attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm to every engagement.

Based in Nashville and serving clients in San Diego and nationwide, Stephanie Rose Events is ready to be the partner your organization has been looking for.

Stephanie Rose Events by the numbers...

Years in Business

Happy Clients

Guest Experiences

Raised for Charity

$ 0

Working with us is easy

Book a Free Strategy Call

We start by getting to know your organization, your goals, and your gala history. No pressure — just a real conversation about what it would take to make your event your best one yet.

We Build Your Roadmap

From sponsorship strategy and vendor selection to program flow and budget management, we handle every detail — so your team can stay focused on your mission.

Watch Your Event Deliver

The room comes to life, your donors are engaged, and the revenue reflects the strategy behind it. This is what a well-planned gala looks like.

“Kristin Watkins and the Stephanie Rose Events team were exceptional partners in planning and executing our fundraising gala. Their expertise, organization, and donor-focused approach helped us exceed our fundraising goals while creating a seamless, memorable experience for our guests.”

Emily M, Executive Director

Kristin Watkins, CMP, is the joyful, energetic, and detail-obsessed founder and principal event planner at Stephanie Rose Events. Before building her event planning business, Kristin founded and served as Executive Director of the Christopher J. Collins Foundation where she experienced firsthand the power of a well-executed fundraising event to move people, build community, and connect donors to a cause that matters. She values connection, and it shows in every event she produces.

With more than 20 years of experience and nearly $6 million raised, Kristin is also the author of Fundraising Fuel, the field guide for nonprofit event planning. Based in Nashville with deep roots in San Diego, she works with organizations nationwide.