Ep. 154: Charity: Water Ambassador Kayla Houchin Raised $147K—And Proved a Movement Can Start with One Person
EPISODE 154
Charity: Water Ambassador Kayla Houchin Raised $147K—And Proved a Movement Can Start with One Person
About the Episode:
What if your birthday could change lives?
In this episode, I sit down with Kayla Houchin, founder of Sonder Bakehouse, a passionate fundraiser, and a longtime advocate for Charity: Water. Kayla shares how a book and a single birthday campaign turned into over $100,000 raised (and counting!) to bring clean water to communities worldwide. We talk about the power of starting small, how joy and creativity fuel sustainability in fundraising, and why showing up with purpose can inspire a whole town to rally behind your mission. From auctioning cakes to hosting galas, Kayla proves that you don’t need to be a full-time nonprofit pro to make a massive impact—you just need clarity, consistency, and a little courage to ask. Whether you’re planning your first peer-to-peer campaign or dreaming of a million-dollar impact, Kayla’s story will reignite your belief in grassroots fundraising and remind you why the why matters most.
Topics:
Kayla shares how reading a book led her to start her first birthday fundraiser for Charity: Water
Kayla explains how she raised over $100K—one cake (and birthday) at a time
How tapping into joy fuels both donor enthusiasm
Inside Kayla’s first gala with Scott Harrison from Charity: Water
Powerful stories from the front lines of grassroots giving
How staying connected to purpose helps you push past discomfort and keep going
It’s not your stories—it’s how you’re telling them. If your amazing work isn’t getting the attention (and donations) it deserves, it’s time for a messaging shift. The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide guide gives you 10 done-for-you donor prompts to make your message impossible to ignore. Get it for free here! https://christinaedwards.krtra.com/t/xKuLs6tOiPZa
Christina’s Favorite Takeaways:
“I don't have a ton of money to give, but I want to keep spreading the word, and maybe there are other people who want to give.” Kayla
“At the end of the day, I want to make the biggest impact that I can.” Kayla
“There are 700 million people right now that don't have access to life's most basic need: water.” Kayla
“No matter where you're at, you can make such an impact.” Kayla
“What can I do to make the biggest impact?” Kayla
“The impact you create goes so much further than you could ever know.” Kayla
“The fundraising, the first letters are F U N, so it should be fun, it should be joyful.” Kayla
“How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus today?”
ABOUT Kayla:
Kayla Houchin is the founder of Sonder Bakehouse. When she’s not creating or hosting in the kitchen, Kayla enjoys traveling and pouring herself into causes she believes in.
Connect with Kayla:
Episode Resources:
FREE Resources from Splendid Consulting:
How to Work with Christina and Splendid Consulting:
Connect with Christina and Splendid Consulting:
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Christina Edwards 0:05
All right, y'all, we have a very special guest on the podcast today. Now she doesn't know it, but I've been a fan of hers for quite some time. So Kayla Houchin is here. She is the founder of Sonder Bakehouse. She is
Christina Edwards 0:18
a evangelist like rock star, advocate for Charity Water, and we're going to talk about how she's weaved in her entrepreneurial spirit into helping so many people have access to clean drinking water. So Kayla, I will give you a warm welcome and let you introduce yourself a bit more. Tell us about you.
Kayla Rae Houchin 0:36
Wow, that was such a sweet welcome. Yeah, kind of just what you said. I've, I've got this bakery, um, kind of grew up baking always, always had a love for it, kind of a passion for it, um, and then in 2012
Kayla Rae Houchin 0:55
So a while ago, I found out about charity water. And then for years now I'm just been trying to combine those two things that I'm really passionate about, just giving and serving others, yeah, and then Sonder and Charity Water and yeah, kind of just figuring out how I can do that, and kind of building through it.
Christina Edwards
Figured it out, like, if we will link to your Instagram feed. So your Instagram feed is like this beautiful mix of amazing baked, delicious goods, right? It's like you in the kitchen. It's you and your amazing cakes and treats and things like that. And then all of a sudden there'll be, like a yellow bucket, right? The yellow right? And cherry Can you have weaved in that as part of like your mission so beautifully. But let's start from the beginning. How did you first hear about charity water, and what made you feel connected to the mission?
Kayla Rae Houchin
So in 2000 Well, it was 11 or 12. Okay, I was reading the book Start something that matters, by Blake makoski. He's the founder of TOMS Shoes, so buy a pair, and then they give a pair to someone in need. So yeah, kind of a one for one model. And in that book, which I really enjoyed, he mentioned a couple nonprofits
Kayla Rae Houchin 2:11
that he thought were doing awesome things, and one of them was Charity Water, yeah. So I remember like googling it and just being intrigued, but not not acting on it, not not doing anything with that little information that I had. Well, months down the road. I don't know how I stumbled across it exactly, but Fargo is pretty small. The founder, though, Scott Harrison, he was speaking in Fargo just at this free it was like some health pitch event. It was called,
Christina Edwards 2:43
my mouth is open. I'm like, that's so cool,
Kayla Rae Houchin 2:47
not knowing anything. Yeah, you know, like, I'm gonna go check this out. Yeah, I was curious. And then I just felt like I was opened up to this whole other world. And it was extremely frustrating. And that was in 2012 and it's, you know, 13 years later, and we still haven't created the will to solve this problem. We know how to, but we need more of us to get on board. Like the will isn't quite there yet for a lot of us. And I think you know, that's probably lack of awareness still, but because, I mean Charity Water was like, I think they were six or going on year six or seven, when I became aware. Okay, so, yeah, just kind of doing things.
Christina Edwards 3:40
What happened next? So you go to this event, you hear Scott speak, which he's an amazing speaker. So I'm guessing you're like, Okay, I'm hooked. I'm interested. Then what did you join the spring? Did you just kind of follow them for a little while? Remember what your next step was?
Kayla Rae Houchin 3:56
There's been so many steps over the years. Oh my gosh. I don't think I joined the spring till 2018 whenever I started it, it but, um, so it must have been 2012 Scott and I talked about this, and we're like, not sure. Think it was 2012 Sure. Yeah, it must have been. Because in 2013 I did my first birthday campaign for Charity Water, yep. Um, so the Charity Water kind of came up with this model years ago. And, you know, other people do it now, of course, for other things that they care about, but just essentially saying, like, Hey, I'm turning 35 like, Yep, I don't need any gifts. I have, you know, more than I could ever need. Like, would you want to donate, you know, in honor of my birthday? So, I mean, it's really easy, like the birthday campaign, and you can do everything on the website, like, Yep, it's a couple clicks of a button for you to start your own birthday campaign.
Christina Edwards 4:51
So super easy, super frictionless, but at that time, like, what made you or what? So it was easy, you were interested. You wanted to help. Did you have any resistance to, like, who's gonna donate to this fundraiser? Were you like, I'm just gonna give it a shot.
Kayla Rae Houchin 5:08
Oh, did you have the bakery is like, a 500 or 1000 Yeah? No, that first year I did, no, I was in college, yeah? I mean, I still technically would bake. I think it was 2011 July that I officially really started taking a lot more orders when I made a Facebook page. But the bakery I'm in was I got in here May of 2021. Is when it was finished being built.
Christina Edwards 5:38
So you run your first birthday campaign, maybe your goal is somewhere around $500 that sounds like it was. Sounds like it was. Yeah, I feel like, for a first one, I feel like that's good, like a good, neutral place to start. That doesn't feel impossible, right? But here's the thing, like that happens, and then what makes you go, I'm gonna do it again the next year.
Kayla Rae Houchin 5:55
Most people don't do that, which I kind of get why, right? You do it. Once you did it, you're done. But I was like, I don't know. I don't have a ton of money to give, but like, I want to keep spreading the word, and then maybe there's other people that want to give. I didn't do it every year, but I've done it just kind of on and off majority of the years.
Christina Edwards 6:20
And then so I have to give the listener like a little, a little footnote narration, which is like, dear listener, Kayla has raised over $100,000 in her birthday fundraisers for Charity Water. I looked this morning. That's at least so like, I think it's 147,000 Yes, what you have done is remarkable, like, remarkable. So we started with a $500 fundraiser. You said you didn't have a lot of money personally to give. And then at some point, you're like, I'm gonna do it again, and I'm gonna do it again and I'm gonna do it again. And then, yeah, keep us. Keep going. Yeah.
Kayla Rae Houchin 6:59
Then when I so I left Fargo for a couple years. I went to college here. Left for a few years. I knew I'd be back. I was gone for like, yeah, it wasn't even, it was like 18 months or 19 months, okay, then I moved back to Fargo, and, yeah, it was like April of 2018 and then fall of 18, October, I'm reading Scott Harrison's autobiography Thirst So reading that book really changed. the trajectory. It really, truly changed the focus and kind of transformed, like the mission of what is now. Sonder Bakehouse
Kayla Rae Houchin 7:54
I just feel like I had such a greater purpose. I think I did, but, I mean, of course I did before, but just and I did for Charity Water, but like, just reading the book and just knowing so much more about it, I don't know, I have told my friends are like, you became obsessed. But I'm like, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. And like, I've just learned over the years the most like sustaining, like life giving things to me, I mean, it's just joy. And like, giving and serving others like this is the best way that I know how to do that, really, through charity water, because at the end of the day, I want to make the biggest impact that I can. Well, there's over. There's 700 million people right now, still one in 10 that don't have access to life's most basic need, yep. Uh, I think that's that's where I can make the biggest impact. I wrote down some goals as I was reading the book. And like, the question I had at the top was, what can I do to make the biggest impact? And then also that kind of winter, I've started telling people about it here, you know, just friends and family. More about charity water. And then this gal that I just became good friends with. Well, both of them, really, they're both wedding vendors, and I've been in the wedding circuit for a while. So one of them's a photographer, and one of them has like, a rental studio and boutique and furniture and just rentals for weddings. So I was talking to both of them, and I was like, telling them about charity water, and saying, told him I wanted to do this birthday campaign. Well, she's like, I can take photos use my space. So every year now, since 2018 I've taken photos just because I want to promote it and just kind of spread the word. And then that. Birthday campaign really kind of took off unlike, unlike any other one has really. I was teaching at elementary school at the time, at this private school, and they invited me to speak at Chapel. So that was pretty cool, because a lot of kids got on board with it. I had a fifth grader bring me $100 bill. I was a PE teacher, and she's like, I got all straight A's this. My parents gave me $100 for getting straight A's here. Wow, um, a kindergartner brought me a bag full of coins. I think I was, like, crying every other day and like, Oh my gosh. These kids get it, though, like, I see that. I saw that in the gym a lot too. Just how they see issues is, like, black and white, fair and unfair. That's right. So many of these kids got it. And it was so it was so cool how that all just kind of happened. There was this fifth grade boy, and then this other girl kind of started doing it too. They made bracelets. I have a couple still. Yeah, they were these beaded bracelets, and you could order them and like different colors and stuff. And I think they gave me, like, over $200 and then, just like, was on a radio interview and local TV, and then, like, World Water Day. I wasn't expecting this. I remember I was visiting my friend in Vancouver. It was like, over Easter weekend, and someone sent it to me. Yeah, it was just our local paper, but it was on the front page, and they're like, Yeah, this will be like, maybe in, you know, the business section, yeah. I was like, so that, like, helps spread the word a lot.
Christina Edwards 11:53
Do you remember how much that fundraiser, how much you were trying to raise for that birthday campaign?
Kayla Rae Houchin 12:02
I don't know if I don't remember what I wrote as a goal, maybe like 10,000 I don't remember, but it raised like over 17,000 Wow. And then the also, the beginning of that, I have to backtrack a little bit. There was this local magazine that was kind of big in the area, a local free magazine, yeah, they asked me to do an article about baking. Well, it was pretty much all about charity water and for that birthday campaign too, I was also just spending my time and then the cost of the materials, making macarons and cakes, yep, for and then giving all the money to chair to the birthday campaign. So that helps get a lot of traction to that magazine article, because they they also ended up putting a cover up. It was just me holding a cake on the cover. Again, was not expecting that. It wasn't a charity water cover exactly, but like, the photos in the magazine and stuff was all kind of Yeah, about this birthday campaign. And then the coolest thing happened from there too. I remember, I remember, I was, like, in the equipment room at school, and someone called me. She saw the article in the magazine, and she wanted a cake for her daughter's birthday. Well, I get to know her because I'd never you know this person was a stranger before, and I got to know her more. And she's like, we're Charity Water supporters here, I come to find out. Yeah, they are, well, they were well members at one point in time. So if you're part of the, well, you are part of like 130 families that pay for the overhead costs, yep, all the salaries, the toner and the copier, like everything, because you and I, the general public, every penny, oh yeah, it's 100% Yeah, yeah. So that just their model and the way they operate really turned me on to them. But then I just never thought that there would be well members in Fargo, and I only she didn't even tell me that because we, I had supper with her, yeah, and because this was just in March, and a couple weeks later, I went to charity water headquarters, yeah, which they were then in New York City, they're not anymore, after COVID, but there was a list on the wall everyone's name that was a well member. And I was like, you've got to be kidding me. So very humble and gracious. I just, I think it, I didn't realize it at the time, but I think it was just like, no matter where you're at, you can make such an impact. And like, Yes, this is North Dakota, but like, people all across all states are doing things for Charity Water, and I don't know why, that surprised me so much, and they were the first people that I had met that, like, knew about the. Organization.
Christina Edwards 15:00
I think it's that too, of like, wow, there are people in my own hometown giving significantly towards this. And I had no idea, like, something there too, right,
Kayla Rae Houchin 15:09
you know? Because, I mean, if that article isn't there, there's, you know, yeah.
Christina Edwards 15:16
So, so you run these birthday campaigns, you're, you're getting some, like, amazing grassroots marketing. So you're picking, kind of getting the, like, local traction, the radio, some TV placements, the news articles. And it's interesting, because what you've done is, like, really weave in your own entrepreneur story, your own like, as you're you're baking, you're doing the wedding circuit and weaving in charity water through it, which tells me this greater goal of like having this, whether it's give back, or having some sort of wider goal of purpose. And oftentimes so the podcast listeners are mostly nonprofits, people in social impact, nonprofit founders, nonprofit leaders, etc. And oftentimes they can be very in their own head about how to get people to peer fundraise, which is what you're doing, right to run fundraisers for them. And what I tell them is, like they want to do it for a lot of the reasons that you're describing, like it aligns with your own purpose, yeah, of like, there's something in it for you. It's not just Yeah. So talk to me about that, like, and especially, too, and I guess I'll jump in a little bit too. Of like, you're raising money for for an organization. I don't know if you have traveled over to see any of the wells, but, like, all virtually, from what I can tell, yeah,
Kayla Rae Houchin 16:41
yes, yep, um Yeah. The I, I joked to Scott when, um, he came to Fargo in 2020 um, because I hosted this gala for clean water. Excuse me, it was 2023 it was supposed to happen in 2020 and I can tell you know, that whole story too, if you want. But um, um, in that speech to him, I joked that like that. I wanted to go over and, you know, see it with my own eyes and stuff. So hopefully I do. I'll get to one day. Um, yeah, I haven't, yeah, I haven't put that on his radar in a while, because I I know he takes well members there, but if you're a well member, you're probably giving them millions and millions of dollars.
Christina Edwards 17:34
You had such a connection to this cause, even though you haven't seen it in person, you've been able to really connect with the cause and the impact. Yeah,
Kayla Rae Houchin 17:44
they're set. They're so good at what they do. They're such, you know, they're they're storytellers. So I feel like I've seen it almost sometimes. And there's been twice where, once in New York City, and then this past fall in Franklin, Tennessee, with charity water, I got to got to do a virtual reality headset. So I got to follow this girl's story. I think she was nine or 10, this eight minute video. And I don't know if you've ever done virtual reality, so we have. I felt like I was there, like I so want to get that to Fargo. I just feel like that's the best way to make the biggest impact is if they just, if they see it like that, doesn't a video doesn't even compare after watching that,
Christina Edwards 18:44
I think it's so smart. So we have, here in Atlanta, the Center for civil and human rights. And they have, it's very immersive. And as you said, like, you can watch a video, but this is the it is sort of a VR twist, almost a little bit before VR. So I can only imagine how, like immersive This is, too. I think that's that's so interesting, too. And like we I also want to hear about the gala, because now we're talking about, like, what started as the $500 birthday fundraiser, then sort of the 10k goal with the 17,000 right actual. And then, you know, it's starting to really build. And then, and then I'll give you, let me give you a little behind the scenes. So I work with nonprofits. I teach them fundraising. I teach them marketing. I teach them a lot of peers. Me a lot. No no, no about I'm about to, I don't know, I don't know if I'm gonna embarrass you, blow your mind or what, take it as a compliment. But I teach them about how the peer fundraising, what you're doing, birthday fundraising, working with influencers, working with ambassadors, online is key, right? Just. Getting kind of that scale like and there was years and years ago where I was checking out charity waters feed, and I was going over to the little tagged section, right? So you can see what brands and individuals are talking about charity water, who's advocating for them, right? There's Kayla. There is Kayla. And then time goes by, and there you are again, and there you are again. And then I'm following you. You're on my radar. I'm like, Look at her, go. Slow clap. Look at her, go. And then all of a sudden, I see a gala, and I'm like, holy crap. Like she is a woman with a vision, a woman on a mission. There's Scott Harrison at the gala, right? Like you're just, you're a force. You're a force. So talk to some of the gala like this has evolved. It's so cool.
Kayla Rae Houchin 20:45
Oh my gosh, you are so uplifting. I think I really needed to hear that. Oh my goodness. I
Christina Edwards 20:52
want to just bookmark everyone listening right now is, no doubt going, where do I find my Kayla? Which we'll get to that at the end. Like you're, you're a gift to charity. Water,
Kayla Rae Houchin 21:02
oh, yeah, no doubt. Likewise, they, they make me feel like family. They're so it's so special and um, but going back to reading Thirst, of course, I'd never met Scott, never spoken to him, never, you know, but I, I wrote that question, What can I do to make the biggest impact? I don't even know how I came up with a gala. I think me because, just because I knew, like, that's a fundraiser. You get people together, you do what you can. Never have been to one until I hosted one. So, yeah, I just thought, gosh, if I can just spread the word and bring people together and have Scott here, then, you know, whatever they give, they give. So I emailed him a really, really long email, thinking he's not gonna read this. Chances are he's not gonna read this. That's what I thought. I don't know why I thought that, like five or six weeks later, I got a response, and he said he'd come to Fargo, and, you know, that was just an idea. And I was like, Oh, I have to, oh my gosh. I have to figure a lot of things out. I just, you know, I just kind of put it out there. But, um, so that wedding circuit has really been really special throughout this Scott and Carrie are this husband wife. They're gathered the boutique rental place. So they were the first people that I told this about, just because I they're just such visionaries too to me, and just the things they can create and do. And Scott's got a theater background, and he's, like, just very outgoing, and, like, has been an emcee for events. He wasn't the first year for me, but he was last year, and he will be this year, but, um, yeah, Scott said he was on board. So I was like, Okay, we have to make this happen. Um, but I had, like, a full year, I think, because, yeah, I think it, it wasn't till May, I hopped on a and Carrie and Scott were there because I was so nervous. I was like, I've got a video chat with Scott Harrison. What do I do? Um, because he, he's, um, he's a hero to me. He is. I don't have many heroes in my life, and he is certainly one of them. So anyways, we talked a little. It was really brief, and he's like, Yeah, I'll come to Fargo. So yeah, we had like, a whole year to kind of plan it. And then COVID hit, so we called it off, like, late March, yep. And then finally figure things out, I guess. And in 2023, in May, he came, and we did it. And I was just still so glad that he was, you know, on board. And then last year we had charity waters, Creative Director speak, yep. And then this year, I I know who I want it to be, um, but I'm not quite sure yet who it will be, but any it doesn't really matter, because anyone for Charity Water will be fantastic. So, um, yeah, it's just a little we eat and hang out and I speak and charity water, we get to hear more about them, and then, like last year, I did a live auction at the very last minute last year, yeah, there's going to be a live auction again, and just a few other things. But it's, it's also kind of simple, yep, because I still like fundraising in gallas for I know I've done a few, but it still seems like I'm not very There's so much I don't know about it. I don't really know what I'm doing. So I try and try and keep it simple. Yep, am I actually my biggest, the hardest thing for. Me probably is selling those tickets and those tables. putting myself out there, right? Okay, so, yep, it's came together both years, thankfully, right? But I'm nothing stresses me out more than that.
Christina Edwards 25:16
Yep, it's, is it always down to the wire last minute, trying to sell the tables? Or is it, like it has been, it shouldn't be very normal. That's very
Kayla Rae Houchin 25:25
normal. Yeah, but I'm like, Oh, I'm gonna put this out there. We're gonna sell out, like, by April. I'm not gonna worry about it. Yeah? So, um,
Christina Edwards 25:35
but you have brought charity water to your community, which sounds like be aware of in person now three, this will be the fourth year happening, or third year, third, yep. Like, that's remarkable. Like, people who Charity Water was not on the map for or maybe they knew about it just a little bit. And just bringing people together for it is so cool. And having this be an annual event, and having this annual event be put on and run by you, somebody who was like, You know what this is? This is an organization I want to get behind. This is an organization that, when I first learned about it, I could give, I don't know, 100 bucks, and that's all I've got, and you've just stair stepped your impact and gone outside of what you yourself could even give monetarily, and you've given so much more by by having that awareness piece. I think it's so cool, so
Kayla Rae Houchin 26:28
cool. Thank you. Yeah, but yeah, just getting people aware, and then, you know, it's up to them if they if they want to put their dollars behind it. And I really, and I I'm not close to this at all. But I thought, gosh, if everyone who knew me and who knew sonder, I wish they knew Charity Water, like, I want them to be so like, together in that, yeah, um, I still, I'm not good at that at all, because I, and I don't have things in my store, and I I have a cherry cam, but like, I don't. It kind of depends. Sometimes I talk about it a lot with the customer, sometimes I don't. There's been some really, you know, just really cool stories that have come out of it. Um, I've got probably, well, two that really stick out to me, yeah, just from, you know, a complete stranger, or they were a complete stranger at one time. This one gal actually came in last month, and I still had never met her, but she's like, I just turned 40, and I just wanted to tell you that I was at the gala the first year, and I just donated a well for my 40th birthday. I'm like, she just, she dropped 10,000 or 12, wow. And I'm like, wow thing. Like, I'm glad she told me that. Because you, you never know how far your ripple, what kind of ripples, you're going to create, and you, you never truly will, because you're not going to usually hear them, right? Yep. So it just the impact you create goes so much further than you could ever know. And then another story that I just love, gosh, she came into the bake house, like a year and a half ago. It was like July of 23 she came to Fargo on a whim at the last minute. She'd never been here before. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, okay? And we were talking, but she looked at my website and she saw something about charity water. So she's like, that's cool. How? Or, you know, she's connecting what she's doing, like, with a nonprofit. Yeah, that must have spoke to her a little bit. And then I gave her, I have copies of Scott's book in my store, yeah, um, I probably give more away than I sell, because I gave her a copy of the book, and a full year later, in July this past year, she emailed me and was like, That book was so amazing. Like, I finally, like, read it. And like, thank you. And if you're ever in Nashville, need a place to stay, let me know. And then a couple months later, I got Charity Water hosted this water weekend in Nashville, in October, I stayed with her, and she, like, went to one of the events with me. And turns out one of her friends is like a mega big supporter of Charity Water. Oh, wow. How does this happen? And she was just such a delight. And like, I think, well, she'll be a forever friend. Now, they recently opened. It's called this experience, lab. Are you aware of that at all?
Christina Edwards 29:32
I cannot wait to visit. And since I'm in Atlanta, I'm driving distance, yeah, I'm like, take the kids for the weekend. I think that'll be a really fun trip. Oh
Kayla Rae Houchin 29:41
yes, bring your kids. And then, assuming they still have the HR, you can watch that video I'm talking about. Yeah, I have to go back to I have a feeling that I'll want to go back. Every year they were giving some private tours. It wasn't done yet. That kind of weakened for water. And, yeah, it was so. Cool. Just it's gonna open up so many people's eyes, yep. And like, the gal beside me, you know, she had tears in her eyes after watching that video, and then she she donated a well right after that. And I'm like, how many people are gonna do that? So yeah, that space is so amazing. And now they've added so much more since I was there and it officially opened to the public, I believe, on World on just on Saturday. Oh
Christina Edwards 30:28
so cool. It's so cool. And you know, Charity Water has always been an innovator in that way. You know, of just find me another nonprofit that has an experience like this, like, I, I don't know anyone, write in and tell us, this is the only one that I can think of that has this level of experience. And I think to your point that you brought up earlier, when you were teaching and you're it was you said the kids got it because they got the through line of, like, hold up. Other kids don't have access to water. What? What's clean water, right? And they immediately got it. And I think that this helps just drill down for adults, I think too, who are like, well, their country should figure that out, or somebody else should handle that problem. When you're in an immersive experience like that, like you it, I find it. It disrupts you. It disrupts you from like, the way, the way people have been chugging along, chugging along, and it's like that moment, is why somebody would donate a well, after listening to that or being part of that experience, it's like a disruptor in that way. And I think Charity Water is really exceptional at doing that.
Kayla Rae Houchin 31:33
They are. Yeah, I don't know any charity that comes close to them. I wish others would. They've truly reinvented charity. And yeah, just, yeah, pretty radical, the way they operate in their three pillars. And just, I don't know, like, how could you not get on board? How could you not care? But you know, I know everyone has their causes. And yeah, yes, clean water
Christina Edwards 31:59
for you. One of the things we haven't touched on yet, that I wanted to touch on was with the birthday fundraisers. And maybe it's happening at the gala too. You have woven in, from what I can tell, like, if you've got a birthday fundraiser, I don't know what your goal What's your goal for this year's
Kayla Rae Houchin 32:16
uh, so the I didn't know how to do this in the first point, because Charity Water is like you, you're hosting a gala first. Like, people don't do that. Like, what I was like, Yeah, can I host a gala for you guys? Like, do I have your permission? Can I get some photos from you? Like, yeah, if you want, because I have a local graphic designer. He's got a logo, right? Donate his time, but, yeah, I'm like, he'll whip up a logo. Like, I can send you everything if you want to. Like, okay, yeah. They're like, okay, yeah. Um, so, yeah, I think they were a little surprised at that, but I was like, Well, I'm just fundraising you guys, yeah, um, but so my, the gal is linked with my birthday campaign, yep. So people can donate to that. But I guess my I don't know if it's a high it's kind of a higher goal than I've ever had. It's 75,000 this year. Love it. We are a long, long ways from that. But like the first year the gal The gallery is 51 something, and then last year was 49 something. It's amazing. Um, so remarkable. See, that's amazing. So, what I've noticed, I want to raise millions low. So,
Christina Edwards 33:32
and how do you raise millions by starting exactly with what you're doing, literally, right? Yes, yes, you're, you are doing it. You're, you are completely doing it. You will raise millions. Is that the goal?
Kayla Rae Houchin 33:45
Yeah, for you, and just to see it eradicated in my lifetime. I just really want that. And, yeah, I don't know it's, they've come such a long ways. But also, like, because Scott, Scott speaks to you know how frustrated he is, because, like, when they started, it was, like, one in six people didn't have clean water. Now it's one in 10. So, like, I don't even think they've made like, 3% of the way there. Like, so we still have one in 10 people, 700 million. But I don't know there's so much, there's still thing. There's so much hope around it. It's completely solvable. It's just like, I don't know, it's like a lack of will and caring, and it's just an awareness, I guess.
Christina Edwards 34:38
So that's kind of what I'm thinking with. Like, you can say, I can, I can say to my neighbor, right that? Stat right there, okay, and my neighbor may be like, okay, then I stick my neighbor in this experience with the VR headset like in it, she's gonna have a different reaction. That's what I think is is palpable is going to help move this needle quickly. And. Then you layer on, there's so many different strategies, but you layer on what you're doing and what so many other birthday fundraisers are doing. Then you layer on other different giving, you know, ways that that they have going. So it's happening. It is moving the needle. One of my like, one of my pillars, though, is I'm impatient, and so I get it like, I match your impatience. Of like, I don't. I don't want this shit, like, eradicated in 400 years. I would like it. I actually would like it yesterday. I don't think that anyone should.
Kayla Rae Houchin 35:32
There's so, yes, so, like, right? So behind the game on it
Christina Edwards 35:36
impatience is, in this instance, helpful. It's moving you forward faster. Um, with, with one of your fundraisers, I did notice you were like, one of the things that you do really well in weaving in the business is you'll like, auction off cakes, right, and things like that. So weave it in. Tell us about that, because I think it's a really fun strategy.
Kayla Rae Houchin 35:57
I don't remember when I started doing that first, I think even before that big birthday campaign in 2018 I started doing it for this, for some local it's called giving hearts day, but it's like the biggest fundraiser in North Dakota and, like Northwestern Minnesota, they raised millions of dollars that day. So I would always do it then. But then I just started randomly doing it around my birthday. Like, I think I did five cakes this year, but I usually do a couple more, so I should do one soon, just like one. And it's kind of random. Not much heads up, but yeah, they don't, I don't know the average is probably like 1/5 year. So they go, and it's nothing crazy. We had one story last year that the cake raised nearly 800 I think it was, Wow, that was really cool. Um,
Christina Edwards 36:45
was it like a limited edition flavor or something?
Kayla Rae Houchin 36:50
my mom and this other guy, I didn't even know him. He's like, near like my hometown. But yes, he he would ask my mom, he texts her, like, when's when she gonna sell those cakes again? Because yes, they would get in bidding wars, and I think it went 3 or 350 and then so my mom ended up getting that one, but kind of this stop on the way home as our other friend's house. Yeah, so random, but we share the same birthday. I do with Brad, so my mom dropped gave it to Brad for his birthday, and they're like, Where'd this come from? And then his wife, then Brad and Cindy donated that same amount to my birthday campaign. And then there's something I'm forgetting, because it was between seven and $800 seven and $800 it's amazing. But like, three people, like, essentially donated or gave money for that one cake. Yeah. I was like, What is going on here? But she's like, I don't want that cake. It's my family. Like, never eats the stuff I make. Hardly ever. It's so funny. She'll always bid on cakes. But I'm like, who'd you give it to this time, because she's like, your birthday buddy, and then, yeah, like, the next day, I'm like, Oh my gosh, Cindy donated that same amount that you paid. That's amazing, but, yeah, cool. Like, yeah. And then it's just like, to have people message her and be like, when's Kayla? Like, doing that again? Because he just, like, looks forward to it. So I'm like, That's cool, but yeah, they're just on Facebook. They're really low key. It's just kind of when we have time to throw something extra together. So yeah, it's really, I don't know it's easy and simple, and they just donate directly to that link. And, like, I don't do any extra work, really, on my end, perfect. So I'm gonna have to do one soon. Yeah, I love it.
Christina Edwards 39:07
So I'm curious too, if you could inspire just one person listening to take action today, especially one person who may be not in house at a nonprofit. Maybe they're listening, and they're like, Oh, I wanted to hear the Charity Water episode I want to hear. Or I'm kind of curious about, you know, how I could help support a cause I care about. What would you want them to know? What would you want them to know?
Kayla Rae Houchin 40:33
Oh, I would hope that they would just start, yeah, you know, start by doing what you know. And to me, it's, I guess it's just along with, like, another passion of mine, and something I enjoy doing, and something that I'm somewhat good at. So like, what's a hobby of theirs? What's something they enjoy doing? I don't know if they could use that somehow, yeah, or maybe they're not. Maybe they're a painter, and they try selling their paintings. I've done lots of lots of things in the name of charity over the years. Maybe they like to run. So the first big thing I did for another nonprofit, I ran a marathon, and I just asked people to donate, like, maybe it was $1 per mile I, you know, um, and then just with the baking, I really like baking, and it's like second nature to me, and just what I do. So, yeah, hey, I'm gonna auction off these cakes. I don't have to reinvent the wheel. Or, you know, people don't expect you to do something that hasn't been done before, but you want to enjoy it, right? Like the fundraising, the first through your letters are f u n, so it should be fun, it should be joyful. And you know it isn't always, yeah, someday, but usually, like, it should be and it, it should just be something that brings you joy. Um, because for me, at the end of the day, that's what sustains me, is that joy and that service to others. Because that's, I mean, that's the biggest part of why, why I'm here. But just start by doing whatever it is that you that you like to do. Um, you you know, I can give you another example too. I host a basketball tournament. It's coming up next week. I've raised over we've a friend and I, we do it together, yeah, but we've raised over $60,000 we've done it for third this will be the 13th year. So it, it does definitely take away a lot from my business and my work, uh huh, but I couldn't imagine not doing it. Somebody, to me, is not like it fills your cup, right? Absolutely, and it's just an honor of a someone that we really cared about a teacher of ours that passed away just after we graduated high school, and we thought it was going to be a one time deal this basketball tournament. Yeah, so I'm really going off tangent here, but if this is about fundraising, like,
Christina Edwards 43:13
No, this is you're welcome to go off tangent.
Kayla Rae Houchin 43:14
Okay, thank you. Yes, because we, we didn't know what the hell we were doing? Yeah, we're we were freshmen in college, and we asked our basketball coaches if they could, like, help us and like, be refs. So we had to find volunteers, like 30 to 40, because it's, we have concessions. There's scorekeepers. But anyways, yeah, um, that first year, we didn't even raise 1500 we raised just over 1500 and there were 16 teams. Well, last year there were 42 teams, and we raised Wow. What was it? 7300 Wow. And it's a one day, this basketball tournament, like it goes from eight to four, two, it is, and just so many unexpected blessings have come, come out of that, and then just kind of after it later, volunteers and friends of ours are like, that was so fun. Like you're doing when are you doing it again? Yep, yep. What? We're not doing this again. You don't know this, but we did it again and again and again, you have
Christina Edwards 44:21
signature events. You have a basketball fundraiser that is now a signature event. You have your birthday fundraiser, which is a signature event. And you have your Gallo, which is a signature I love it. I love it. Oh, I'm curious. I've got two last questions for you. So this is a very serious question, which is, what is your favorite thing to bake?
Kayla Rae Houchin 44:42
Oh, cheesecake, probably, yeah, yeah, just because it's, um, I don't know.
Christina Edwards 44:50
I feel like chaining is like a science,
Kayla Rae Houchin 44:53
like it's easy, um, so, and that's only because I just have a lot of nostalgia. I. Like behind it, um, I it was the first thing people started paying me for to make when I was 16. So, um, here's another story for you. It was a sophomore small town. It was the our annual fundraiser for FFA. So it was a pie auction. There's the auctioneer. You just stand up there with your pie, yeah. Well, I asked the advisor. I was like, Can I make a cheesecake? Sure, yeah. And then my friend wanted me to make her cheesecake. Well, those two cheesecakes sold for way more than normal, but that's because my uncle was being really silly, and he paid like $375 for one of them. So then, like the whole town thought I made good cheesecake or something, and he just, he just believed in me and was supporting me. And we, we lost him about a year ago now, and a couple days before the last Gala, yeah, I was like, I think we should do a live auction, like, and Scott, I know, or our MC, and he's a buddy, and like, I was like, do you have, MS, do you have auctioneering skills? Sure, yeah. He's like, Um, okay, yeah, yeah. He's like, I'm a feeder guy. We could figure something out. So, um, you
Christina Edwards 46:23
just need to be hype, hyped up, and you got it. Yeah.
Kayla Rae Houchin 46:26
He was great. So we just did three of them, but, like, they went over, well, they raised over $5,000 my gosh, um, but yeah, cuz, and that was just, I don't know, it was just such a core memory for me doing that when, and I was like, I want to recreate that and do it again and see what people do and Fargo with it. Yep, and they they did something all right, so me more of that this year. Oh, that's so cool. I love it. Yeah, cheesecake, probably that's a good one.
Christina Edwards 46:57
So we ask every guest on the podcast to share a thought or belief they like to think on purpose. So this could be a mantra, an affirmation, just something that you feel like guides you forward. Would you share one of yours with our listeners?
Kayla Rae Houchin 47:15
so I just really have a belief in God, I guess, and just, and I know not everyone does, and that's fine, whatever it does, whatever your thing, whatever your higher power, whatever your your belief is, I just, I think that he puts, I don't know, I think he's placed things on my heart, heart and charity, water is one of them. And just really giving and serving. And just, there are no joke, lots of days where I wake up and just one of the first things I think of is, how can I be the hands and feet of Jesus today, you know? And there's so many different ways. Just, how can you be? Just being generous? Yep, at the end of day, it's just all about service to Me, serving others, because I've been given so much. Yeah, and just,
Christina Edwards 48:23
while you're doing it, you are doing it.
Kayla Rae Houchin 48:28
No, that was great. I would have had thought on that more though that was just serving, I guess serving others is, yeah, it's never led me astray. It's always been so fulfilling and purposeful and so well,
Christina Edwards 48:44
I think that this, everything you shared, is going to be, I just, I can't underscore how helpful it's going to be for our listeners, because you've shared it through the point of view of a donor, of a fundraiser, of a supporter of an organization you care deeply about. You've showed us your why, if that makes sense, a lot of nonprofits spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get their mission in front of people, and so you've given us an inside look. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you for that, and thank you for the work that you're doing. I mean, you're going to raise a million. It's happening. It's done. I can see it. So
Kayla Rae Houchin 49:18
thank you for to be on here, I have to listen to your podcast, but this was such an honor. And, you know, I don't get asked about it that, you know, often here, or it's, you know, once in a while customer in the store. And I'll just, yeah, I'm like, How much time do you have? Because there's so many different things that I could say to you right now, because it's sure, it's something that I could talk about all all day, and we don't want to, we don't want to do that to anyone.
Christina Edwards 49:45
Well, where can people connect with you? We'll link it to in the show notes as well.
Kayla Rae Houchin 49:50
Okay, so we've got Instagram, Sandra bakehouse, and then just a website, sounder, bacos.com there's some info. But that's mostly kind of just about like the gala. Yep. And anyone local to Facebook page, yeah, yeah, yeah, that'd be amazing. Yeah. You probably have listeners all over the country, yeah. How long have you had your been doing your podcast for? We
Christina Edwards 50:16
are over two years in two and a half almost. Yeah.
Kayla Rae Houchin 50:20
Is it? How often do you like weekly or monthly or Wow, yeah,
Christina Edwards 50:26
that's so cool. Like, I said, Yes, I didn't know what I was signing up for. I just said, perfect. I love
Kayla Rae Houchin 50:34
it. Well, I'm not, yeah, I'm definitely very much a Yes girl, if it comes to, like, Charity Water. But, I mean, I don't always love it, just it puts me out of my comfort zone. Yeah, I really don't. And I mean, this is true for probably most people. Like, I don't feel like I'm very good at asking people for money. And like, I don't like that some days, and I care, no, a lot so like, but every time I'm like, this isn't for you. This isn't about you. Like, step out of your head like this is for, you know, a purpose that is much, much beyond you, you know, so,
Christina Edwards 51:07
so that's how you keep going when you're fundraising and you hear, now, I love that self talk. I love that it's good. It's
Kayla Rae Houchin 51:16
so good to give myself a fair bit of that some days. Oh, man,
Christina Edwards 51:20
amazing. Well, thank you so much, Kayla. We so appreciate your generosity and cheering you on and what you're doing.
Kayla Rae Houchin 51:26
Thank you.