In recent conversations with members, ABA has heard from many arts and cultural organizations who are rethinking their galas and other benefit events. Our latest Arts Leader Survey asked arts leaders to benchmark themselves on how they are strategizing their galas and donor events for the future, including the budget and return of these events as well as changes in gala structure. We also want to understand the value of galas/benefit events considering the time and fiscal investments surrounding them.
Highlights from the survey include:
Half of arts organizations are investing the same level of finances into galas today compared to pre-pandemic years, and the majority find value in recent galas despite the time investment in producing these events.
Arts organizations have a varied reliance on galas and benefit events for overall annual contributed income goals.
Compared to last year, arts organizations have increased their plans to make galas and benefit events more representative of the community and accessible with regards to ticket prices.
Examples of special gala innovations include positioning events to be more friend-raising rather than fundraising as well as the primary importance of creating community connection, with income being only a secondary factor.
