{"id":17531,"date":"2019-10-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.causevox.com\/?p=17531"},"modified":"2024-05-08T23:34:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T23:34:36","slug":"ungala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.causevox.com\/blog\/ungala\/","title":{"rendered":"Tired Of Exhausting Fundraising Events? Try An UnGala"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s face it, galas take a TON of work. Sure, it\u2019s a great way to share your mission and recruit new supporters but the many downsides may be enough to ditch the event: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. When it comes to running a gala, the moving parts seem to be endless. Securing sponsorships, coordinating volunteers, drafting a run-of-show, and forming a committee are only a few items on your to-do list.<\/li>
  2. Not only do galas take immense planning but there\u2019s always a fire to put out. You can expect something, usually out of your control, to go awry. From inclement weather to a keynote speaker not showing up, it can be stressful to say the least. <\/li>
  3. Galas can get pretty pricey upfront; the ROI might not be worth the funds and staff time poured into hosting the event. (If you\u2019re unsure whether your event will be profitable, here\u2019s a quick guide on calculating ROI<\/a>). <\/li>
  4. As a fundraiser, your job isn\u2019t over when the event is over; you still need to calculate the total amount raised and manage back-office tasks such as issuing donation receipts or sending out thank you letters.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    This brings us to why it\u2019s time to move beyond traditional gala. An UnGala (aka the non-gala gala) is a new fundraising trend that takes away the traditional components of a gala. It\u2019s a way to free up your organization and staff, helping you focus energy where needed most and raise a lot quickly, with an even higher ROI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An UnGala (sometimes referred to as \u201cGone with the Gala)\u201d is run through an online fundraising campaign where you invite your top supporters to join and fundraise for you (aka peer-to-peer fundraising<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rather than purchase tables or tickets, they can donate the amount they would have otherwise spent directly to your cause. Your fundraisers can then invite their friends and families to give on their personal fundraising page. You can even solicit sponsors and offer perks based on the sponsorship level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you consider all of the expenses (and headaches) you would incur with a live event, UnGalas are the way to go. To help you get started, here are some considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Choose Your Platform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So, you may be wondering, where\u2019s the venue? Well, it\u2019s entirely online. And that\u2019s one of the best parts about hosting an UnGala – you\u2019ll never have to worry about exceeding room capacity. It\u2019s accessible, meaning that individuals who wouldn\u2019t have been able to attend a live event can still make a contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With all of the action taking place on the web, make sure your platform of choice is user-friendly. Since peer-to-peer fundraising supports everything from birthday fundraisers to marathons, there\u2019s no reason why it can\u2019t be applied to galas. If you want a centralized place where you can view your \u201cguestlist\u201d and the amount raised (in real-time), CauseVox has you covered<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ready, Set, Goal!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Setting Your UnGala Goal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Here at CauseVox, we can\u2019t plug S.M.A.R.T goals<\/a> enough. Ensure that your fundraising goal fits within the parameters of the S.M.A.R.T method: <\/p>\n\n\n\n