Background of the Gala
Southern California Ballet holds an annual fundraising gala each spring to support its programs and mission.
The Annual Fundraising Gala
The annual fundraising gala hosted by Southern California Ballet is more than a glamorous event; it serves a crucial role in supporting the organization's mission as a nonprofit.
Purpose of the Gala
By relying on fundraising efforts, Southern California Ballet is able to prioritize its mission-driven activities without the constraints of profit-making.
The gala’s funds directly contribute to Southern California Ballet’s mission to “empower aspiring dancers to reach their full potential and to elevate the community through educational programs and imaginative performances.”
Dedicated fundraising efforts, such as the gala, are catalysts that allow SCB to channel resources directly toward programs that nurture dancers and the community. In turn, having fundraising-generated support for SCB programs affords the freedom for decision-making to be driven by “How does this support the mission?“, rather than “How much can we charge?”
Through this approach, Southern California Ballet can wholeheartedly dedicate itself to fulfilling its mission and making a lasting impact on the lives of dancers and the communities it serves.
Historical Data
Net Revenue by Gala Year, 2016-2023
Average Composition of Gala Expenses, 2016-2023
Gala Activities
Annual fundraising galas at Southern California Ballet usually include:
Catered Dinner
Drinks Bar (Limited or Open)
Fundraising Games
Silent and Live Auctions
Exclusive Preview of Spring Show: Mini-Performance
Live Band or DJ
Gala Volunteering & Sponsorship
Volunteering
The gala committee is comprised by volunteers with an interest in contributing their time and skills to the success of the event.
The gala committee is instrumental to planning the gala each year. They are responsible for organizing the event, including facility rental, auction item donation procurement, event decorations, entertainment booking, the creation of marketing materials, budgeting, and donation acknowledgements.
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In addition to the planning activities above, there are several volunteer roles needed the day of the event.
Day-of Volunteer Roles:
Company Dancer Coordinator
Setup
Check-In & Check-Out
Audio/Visual
Game Facilitators
Wine Pull Attendants
Clean Up Crew
Sponsorship
Annual fundraising galas are made possible by the support of generous sponsors.
Sponsorship opportunities include Venue, Bar, Music, and Dessert Sponsors, and range from $500 to $5,000.
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Gala sponsorship benefits* may include:
Gala tickets
Logo placement on marketing materials and signage
Acknowledgement in newsletter, on website, on social media, and in performance programs
*These are guidelines based on previous sponsorship benefits. Benefits are subject to change from year-to-year and are based on the level of sponsorship.