April 24, 2015

Gritty Details Are Behind the Glitter at Fund-Raising Galas

From the New York Times:

With the gala season in full swing, […] delicate conversations are par for the course. Yet these events, some more glittery than others but all important to their organizations, serve a purpose beyond ego-stroking: They raise a lot of money.

“Many major New York City charities and many major charities cross the country raise a very substantial portion of their annual budget through galas,” said Melissa Berman, president and chief executive of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

She pointed to the Robin Hood Foundation gala, which attracts the hedge fund elite. It raised $60 million last year.

And the person chosen or coerced into being the chairman of an event has a large role in the event’s success. It’s hard work.

Click here to continue reading on the New York Times website.