Galas vs. Major Gifts: What the Data Reveals About True Fundraising ROI

If you’ve ever wondered whether your gala is really worth all the time, money, and energy it takes to pull off, this episode is for you. I’ve been in the trenches planning big-name events with celebrity co-chairs and keynote speakers, and I’ve also seen nonprofits raise six- and seven-figure gifts in just a few conversations. When you compare the cost, the time, and the results—it’s not even close.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the true ROI of galas versus focusing on major gifts, why galas are almost always more exhausting than they are profitable, and how you can start raising unrestricted dollars in less time with a better strategy.

 IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT:

• Listener wins: real stories of people who closed $15K, $75K, and even seven-figure gifts just from listening to this podcast
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• The hidden costs of galas- staff time, hard expenses, and energy drain
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• Why gala money is often restricted (and why that ties your hands)
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• The challenge of converting gala guests into loyal donors
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• How major gifts free up your time and bring in bigger, unrestricted dollars faster
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• A client case study: what shifted when she stopped underestimating her board and started asking for more
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• The real reason leaders cling to galas (hint: it’s a courage problem, not a strategy problem)

If you say you value relationship-building, why are you still prioritizing event planning? Major gifts are hands-down the highest ROI strategy, and they don’t burn out your team. You can raise six figures in just a few hours a week with the right strategy, confidence, and language—and without spending nine months planning a gala.

Want 15 leads in 5 minutes? DM me "Breakfast burrito" on LinkedIn and I'll send you a pdf and 6-minute training to help you generate 15 leads for your nonprofit in minutes. It's totally free. All you need is an email to sign up. DM me "Breakfast burrito" - I'm from Texas, what can I say? - to get your pdf and mini training. 

If you're an org with at least $800k annual budget and major gifts is your top priority, but you need a better strategy and approach, get on the waitlist for the next CourageLab cohort here: https://julieordonez.kit.com/couragelab2