Non-Profit Galas – Rethink the Sit Down​ Dinner

The non-profit galas have started to follow a very predictable formula. Attendees arrive for light appetizers and drinks, a sit-down meal is followed by a live auction and a 50/50 raffle, with a silent and dessert auction to round out the night. A DJ is often engaged but few people dance and rarely does the sound system give off the proper acoustics.

Want to surprise your guests and encourage them to spend more money? Want to get more sponsors and give them better visibility than a logo on the program?

Skip the sit–down dinner.

I know, this has made you money for a long time, why change up a good thing? Because attendees are getting bored and their pocket books are not opening as easily.

Here is what I would do instead.

Switch the sit-down dinner for heavy appetizer stations. You can theme the event and match the stations to the theme.

• A Southwest theme would have the following “stations”
  • A make your own nacho bar
  • A southwest egg roll station with a variety of dipping sauces
  • Street Tacos with bean and rice  
  • A churro station with caramel and chocolate dipping sauce
  • A spicy hot chocolate and spiked cider station for a winter event. 

You can do this with any theme from around the world to baseball or even “Sport” food. Normal food can be renamed to fit the theme. One of the best examples is that a skewer of grapes can be called “Seaweed” for an under the water theme.

Why skip the sit–down meal?

Your guests are encouraged to move around the event more. You can sell sponsorships to each station and sell sponsorships to the sit down tables as well.

You can then add a VIP area. For the southwest theme – I would add a tequila garden where people can purchase 2 or 3 specialty drinks. Sponsors automatically get entrance to this area and some extra drink tickets. For an around the world theme, add a “passport” that people can purchase to have a glass of wine or beer with each station. I would allow people to purchase this at the event for twice the cost of the pre-event cost.

Then you put the silent auction tables near the stations and set up the stations so the line would form next to the silent auction items. People will spend more time looking at the items as they wait for food and you will most likely get higher bids.

How this approach makes things easier

• You will not need as many sit down tables and chairs because people will not need an assigned seat and save money.
• You do not need as many centerpieces for the above reason.
• You do not need to worry about meal options, people grab what they want.
• You surprise your guests with a new experience and something different from the normal steak and/ or chicken options that come with 90% of galas.

Things to watch for

• You will need more plates and utensils but can get smaller ones or use plastic
• If you can, get the plates that you can hang a wine glass on. This makes it much easier for guests to eat and buy more drinks.
• Ensure your caterer has a good staff that will keep stations well stocked.
• Lines will begin to form, use them to educate about your cause or make more money.
  • You can do a VIP line like the express lane at Disney land for sponsors and those who pay for it.

If you are looking for something different and a way to surprise your guests, I think this is a great plan.

Reach out and I can help you brainstorm ideas for your next non-profit gala. I will offer a one hour consultation for free to any non-profit with a 501c(3) until June 30, 2019.