When you’re planning your next gala fundraiser, the details matter.

The meal you choose for the next fundraiser will impact the overall tone of the event. A good meal can make guests more comfortable and more likely to support your cause. On the other hand, a poorly planned dinner can leave a bad taste in the mouth of patrons—literally and figuratively.

Keep Costs in Mind

The first thing to consider is your budget. Fundraising event expenses can add up, but you have to be careful about the overall costs reducing the amount of money you raise.

Keeping your budget in mind will help narrow your meal choices and allow you to focus on the food that provides the most value for guests. Opting for a dinner that’s affordable but not so cheap that important guests will feel slighted is the way to go.

Fortunately, there are several options to choose from to help you curate a memorable event that inspires donors to give to your cause.

Dinner for Two

A classic theme for a fundraising gala is to provide a dinner-for-two experience. This meal option would include multiple courses suitable for a date-like setting. Whether your guests come in pairs or groups, a dinner-for-two experience provides an opportunity to walk patrons through your theme, with hearty food leading the way.

Consider meal choices that are budget-friendly and can be broken up into courses for the best value for the host and guests. Examples include:

• Roast chicken and veggies with a dessert option
• A soup sampler with breadsticks
• A vegetarian main dish with fruit dessert options

Offer a Selection

Another option is to invite guests to choose their preferred meal with a pre-organized selection. While you want to find the best dinner for your fundraising gala, it may benefit you to offer one or two choices to guests beforehand, and then serve them at the party.

This can be supplemented with appetizer trays brought around during the event to encourage snacking before a single-course meal.

Offering a selection can help to accommodate those who have diet restrictions for their meals. To keep the dinner menu inclusive, you can:

• Offer vegan or vegetarian options
• Have kosher food available
• Have optional gluten-free dishes and sides

The best dinner for your fundraiser gala will cater to the broadest swath of your donor base, so an inclusive menu is a must.

Themed Dinner

If you’re looking to leave an impression with your gala dinner, opt for a themed menu. You can cut costs by limiting the options while adding flair to your party with food that aligns with the night's theme.

A themed dinner menu will also give you some flexibility in your food choices. You can take creative liberty in how you offer them to your guests.

For example, a simple chicken pot pie and soup could be reframed as “The Travelers Choice: a hearty meal for the well-journeyed."

Themed dinners, whether hearty or just appetizers, will add a layer of depth to your gala and make it a night to remember.

Host Your Next Gala Fundraiser at CrystalView in Fairfax, VA

CrystalView is the best venue for charity and private events in Fairfax, Virginia. Our event staff will help you curate the perfect environment for your gala fundraisers. You can choose from one of our vetted food vendors to cater the perfect dinner for your gala. Contact us today to schedule a tour.