Are you looking for a glamorous way to raise money for your nonprofit organization or charitable work? Why not host a fundraising gala?
Whether you’re on a mission to save a life, find a cure, create a greener city, or preserve the arts, you can raise money with a fundraising gala and have a smashing time.
But behind the exciting conversations, glittering gowns, and chin-chin of champagne glasses, there’s the not-so-sexy, behind-the-scenes detail you’re secretly stressing about:
How do you organize the gala budget and collect contributions seamlessly?
These critical details don’t always get the airtime they deserve, so we’re spotlighting them here.
With Braid Money Pools, you get to organize your gala budget, manage and pay for event expenses, and collect donor contributions. We know, it sounds like quite a feat - or should we say fête?
But Braid streamlines gala finances like a sleek tuxedo and helps you throw a successful event. Keep reading to see how.
Includes:
- What is a gala event, and how do galas work?
- How do you plan a gala event? (Check out our Gala Event Planning Checklist!)
- How do you throw a successful gala?
What is a gala event, and how do galas work?
Galas are sophisticated parties that often double as fundraisers for nonprofit or charitable organizations.
Often billed as the organization’s biggest bash of the year, gala fundraisers give attendees a fabulous time while raising money for important causes.
How do charity galas make money? Give donors a wonderful gala experience, and they’ll feel inspired to give generously.
It’s like a dance. And as your delightful gala draws out the altruist in every attendee, give them an effortless way to donate by giving them Braid Pool Links. We’ll show you how below.
Ready to learn how to set up your fundraising gala money pools? Click here!
7 Step Gala Event Planning Checklist
Galas feel effortless for the guests. But as the organizer, you know they are anything but. A gala event planning checklist, like this one, helps you stay on top of everything.
How do you plan a gala event?
- Review your goals and know your budget
- Set up Braid Pools for gala expenses
- Pick a theme
- Curate attractive event features
- Choose a fitting venue
- Promote your gala fundraiser and secure early bird payments with Pool Links
- Identify your fundraising goal
Here’s a closer look at each item.
1. Review your goals and know your budget
Galas are an attractive fundraising option. But before planning one, review your budget and financial goals:
- Will your current budget support gala expenses?
- Will the gala raise the funds you need?
If yes, you can confidently begin planning a fundraising gala.
How far in advance should you plan a gala? In general, the sooner you start, the better. This way, you can lock in lower prices and give donors an even better experience.
2. Set up Braid Pools for gala expenses
Galas have many moving parts: venue, decor, catering, entertainment, swag, etc. Organize and budget for each of these expenses with your Braid Pools:
- Set up one or several pools to organize your gala budget.
- Share Braid Pools with other committee members and manage gala finances together.
- Add funds to the pool via bank transfers, debit card, or credit card payments.
- In Braid Pools, gala money stays separate from personal bank accounts.
- Keep pools open for as long as necessary - they’re temporary accounts without the pressure of deadlines or fees.
- Assign spending permissions so other pool members can pay for gala expenses using the Braid debit card. Never pay a single transaction fee, overdraft fee, or maintenance fee.
- Track pool spending and gala contributions at any time from the app.
Click here to learn more about setting up Braid Pools for your fundraising gala.
3. Pick a theme
What kind of gala do you want to throw? Dream up a fantastic idea with your committee. If you feel stumped, get inspired by the following themes:
- Groovily raise funds with a funky Disco Night gala
- Pick a decade and get decked out for the Roaring 20s or Flower Power 60s
- Invite attendees to dress up for an intriguing Masquerade Ball
- Throw an action-packed 007 party with a James Bond theme
- Host a Night at the Museum at your local science or history museum
- Inspire attendees with artistic themes, from Monet to Matisse
- Let everyone come as their favorite Disney character
- Make a splash by throwing an oceanic Under the Sea gala
- Host a classic, timeless Black and White event
- Give attendees a fun, summery experience with a Tropical gala
- Pick a Color and watch every guest express themselves chromatically
- Take all the best parts of the coldest season and create a Winter Wonderland event with them
- For donors who appreciate all things ironic, host an Ugly Sweater gala
- If weather permits, host a Secret Garden fundraiser in a local botanical garden or park
- Fundraise Under the Stars at a planetarium, observatory, or countryside venue for guaranteed stargazing
- Traditional jazz? Modern jazz? Fusion jazz? How about All That Jazz?
Whichever theme you choose, you can budget for every gala expense using your Braid Pool.
4. Curate attractive event features
What do you do at a gala?
As the gala organizer, you might think the primary goal is raising money. But that comes second. First, you need to give attendees an unforgettable event with offerings like:
- Dinner
- Keynote speakers
- Live or silent auctions
- Live music or performances
- Event-related swag
You can pay for these components directly from your pool using the Braid debit card.
5. Choose a fitting venue
The proper venue is the one that best aligns with your organization, gala theme, and number of attendees.
Start this research early to lock in your best price, keep overhead costs low, and increase your budget for other event components, like advertising, catering, keynote speakers, etc.
6. Promote your gala fundraiser and secure early bird payments with Pool Links
There are many ways to get the word out about your gala: emails, websites, social media, and local advertising.
However you choose to promote it, consider including Braid Pool Links in your messaging. They’re the easiest way to secure early bird payments, and we’ll show you how to use them below.
7. Identify your fundraising goal
Once you identify your fundraising goal, plan to give donors a fantastic party and an easy way to donate.
We’ll leave it up to you and your talented organizers to choose the perfect theme, decor, dinner menu, and DJ for your gala. When it comes to a seamless donation experience for your attendees, leave it to Braid Pool Links. Check it out.
Ready to check “Money Pools” off your gala checklist? Click here!
How do you throw a successful gala?
Your gala is a fundraiser, so a successful fête largely depends on how much money you raise.
For this, you need Pool Links. They are links that come with every Braid Pool, and they’re a fundraiser’s dream. Here’s how to set them up and collect donations with them.
✅ Set up your Pool Links:
- Create a separate pool to collect payments for admission tickets, raffle tickets, and other fundraising appeals.
- Customize Pool Links by giving them a unique name, adding an image, and writing a brief description, so people know precisely what they’re for.
✅ Share Pool Links with donors to reach your fundraising goal:
- Share Pool Links anywhere: invitations, emails, text messages, websites, social media, and QR codes. People who can’t attend the gala can always donate using Pool Links.
- Place the Pool Link QR code at the venue entrance so that attendees can make quick cash-free payments.
- Put your Pool Link QR code on tables and stations throughout the venue for easy scanning and donating.
- Set up QR codes on raffle tables for cash-free entries.
✅ Collect donations with Pool Links:
- With Pool Links, anyone can donate without creating an account or signing up.
- People can contribute with a debit card for free or by credit card for a 3% fee.
- Attendees can make quick, secure, and cash-free contributions.
- Donors can make as many contributions as they like throughout the course of the event.
✅ As a gala organizer, you’ll enjoy how convenient Pool Links are:
- Collect donations without worrying about cash or checks.
- Collect funds in a free, dedicated place without the oversight or limitations of larger platforms, like GoFundMe, PayPal’s Generosity Networks, etc.
- Turn on instant notifications to see contributions in real time.
- Check the pool balance anytime to see how close you are to your fundraising goal.
Because Braid takes care of donations behind the scenes for you, you can focus on networking and building a better report with your donors.
Once the gala is over, you can keep donations in the pool for as long as necessary. There are no pool deadlines or expiration dates.
When spending donations for your nonprofit or charitable endeavors, use the Braid debit card to spend 100% of pool funds directly without worrying about a single transaction fee, service fee, or overdraft fee.
You can also transfer funds to a bank account using your pool’s routing and account numbers. Send funds instantly for a 1.75% fee or transfer money for free with our standard transfer option.
You now know how to simplify money at fundraising galas, from organizing your budget and gala expenses to collecting donations. All with the help of Braid Pools and Pool Links.
So, raise a glass to your savvy self and have fun raising funds to further your important work and mission.
