At a fundraising event in New York City, First Lady Michelle Obama shared her “motto” for donations to the Democratic National Committee: “Max out! And if you’ve maxed out, get your friends to max out.” She explained that “maxing out” won’t just help embattled Democratic congressmen in 2014 — it “sounds kind of baller too.”

Mrs. Obama attended two events in Manhattan on Wednesday, including one with members of fashion elite at the apartment of designer Tony Burch, where she thanked those in attendance for helping her “become the poised and stylish woman that I am.”

White House Dossier reports that the first event “drummed up at least a half a million dollars – and probably much more,” and then the first lady headed to a LBGT dinner on Park Avenue.

She addressed the crowd of 350 at the LBGT gala for 20 minutes, thanking them for their ongoing support of her husband and his party. She told them, “Because of you, we have a president who stands up for our most fundamental rights, from ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell . . . to supporting our right to marry the person we love.”