Episode
408: The Smart Gala Playbook with Justin Goodhew
- Published
- Apr 2, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2068
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Summary
Reflections from host Sarah Olivieri ... Are Galas Actually Worth It? Let's be honest. Most nonprofit leaders have a love-hate relationship with galas. They take a ton of time. They stress out your team. And sometimes… they barely break even. So it's a fair question: Are galas actually worth it? After my recent conversation with Justin Goodhew, I think the better question is: When and how can galas be worth it? The Problem Isn't the Gala Galas get blamed for poor results. But the real issue is how they're used. Many organizations treat their gala like a one-night fundraiser. Sell tickets. Run an auction. Hope it makes money. That's where things fall apart. Because a gala is not a standalone strategy. It's a tool. Many organizations hold galas as an early stage fundraising strategy, but the reality is galas are an advanced tactic or tool to be used as part of a fundraising strategy focused on relationship based fundraising. What a Gala Is Actually For A gala is an opportunity to: • Get your certain supporters in a room • Get your donors introducing new potential donors to your mission • Generate an emotional connection, a collective effervesce of mission support That can be incredibly valuable. But only if you use it that way. Justin put it simply: Events aren't the alternative to relationship-building. They're one of the tools that make it happen. The First Shift: Cover Your Costs Early One of the most practical takeaways: Your event should be paid for before it starts. That means focusing on: • Sponsorships • Table buyers • A small group of committed supporters Instead of trying to sell hundreds of individual tickets, you focus on a smaller number of people who can bring others. That does two things: • It removes financial risk • It gets the right people in the room A…