Fundraising Gala Calculator

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.