Yours for the Asking: An Indispensable Guide to Fundraising and Management

by Reynold Levy

Few activities in life are more fun than conceiving and executing a superb benefit or gala for your organization. Identify a worthy honoree, someone, it is hoped, who is popular and not averse to asking for support. With his or her help, choose cochairs who will do the heavy lifting on solicitations. After figuring out the table and ticket pricing structure, presolicit, face to face, the highest category of supporters. At this level of asks, the chief executive should be personally involved. At Lincoln Center, I introduced the $100,000 table and the $5 million gala. Underwriters at such an exalted level of giving must be seen face to face. They have a right to expect personal treatment and to be thanked early and often. We also presolicit as many $50,000 and $25,000 tables as possible. Doing so makes having others sign on a lot easier. Gala attendees are as interested in who will be present as they are in the organization they are supporting and what will be performed. The more recognizable names commanding tables at higher prices, the better.