Fundraising Gala Calculator
Plan your fundraising gala budget, set ticket prices, calculate sponsorship targets, and project net proceeds.
Expenses
Projected Net Proceeds
$78K
56.9% margin · $138K gross
Total Revenue
$138K
Total Expenses
$59K
Cost/Guest
$237
Rev/Guest
$550
Breakeven
0 tix
Revenue Mix
Expense Breakdown
Fundraising Best Practice
Successful galas aim for 40-60% of revenue from sponsorships and donations, with ticket sales covering event costs. Target a 60%+ net proceeds margin for maximum charitable impact.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your target guest count, venue costs, and catering budget per person.
Set ticket price tiers and sponsorship package levels.
Add entertainment, decor, and auction/donation revenue projections.
Review total revenue, expenses, and projected net proceeds for the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical fundraising gala budget?
Gala budgets typically range from $25,000-250,000 depending on guest count and venue. The industry standard is to keep expenses below 40% of gross revenue, meaning a $100,000 gala should net at least $60,000 for the cause.
How should I price gala tickets?
Ticket prices should cover per-person costs (food, drinks, entertainment) plus a margin. Individual tickets range from $100-1,000+. Table sponsorships (8-10 seats) typically sell at a 15-25% premium over individual ticket prices.
What percentage of gala revenue should come from sponsorships?
Well-run galas generate 40-60% of total revenue from sponsorships, 20-30% from ticket sales, and 15-25% from auctions and donations. Sponsorship revenue is the most profitable since it has minimal associated costs.
How much should a gala spend on entertainment?
Entertainment typically accounts for 10-20% of the total budget. Live bands cost $3,000-20,000, celebrity speakers $5,000-50,000+, and DJs $1,000-5,000. The entertainment should match the ticket price level and audience expectations.
What is a good net-to-gross ratio for a fundraising gala?
Top-performing galas achieve 60-75% net-to-gross ratio. A ratio above 60% is considered good, above 70% is excellent. First-time galas may only achieve 40-50% as setup costs are higher. The ratio improves in subsequent years.
Why Use This Calculator
- Set ticket pricing for target fundraising goals
- Calculate sponsorship package values
- Project net proceeds after all expenses
- Plan auction and donation revenue targets
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"Planning our annual conference budget used to take days. This tool gave us a solid framework in under an hour."
Events Director, Trade Association