Keeping the Party Purposeful

So, two years ago we decided to scale up and do our first major gala. First year out we netted $425,000, mainly from individuals and corporations. We had musical performances by Nile Rodgers and his band CHIC, and Emmylou Harris, and 425 guests at the Supper Club in Midtown Manhattan. Then last year we built on that success and netted $485,000 from 450 guests and a handful of corporate sponsors, surpassing our goals. That event was held at Hammerstein Ballroom.

FS: What do you think made the gala more successful than the former house parties?
SF: It was just a totally different animal. The house parties were very organic, and we could be more flexible in how we organized them. The annual gala takes far more planning and investment since it’s a major production. That said, our expenses are still pretty lean since all of the musical performances are donated. But organizing a sit-down dinner at a major New York venue with a professional concert is, of course, relatively expensive compared to what we had been doing.