Raising Paddles, a national fundraising consulting and auctioneer firm, released data on October 16, 2025, showing that despite a challenging political and economic environment, non-profit galas have experienced overall growth in revenue and attendance from 2022 to 2025. The analysis, based on 800 gala-type events where professional fundraising auctioneers were used, provides insights into how non-profits are adapting to shifts in donor behavior and government funding.
According to the data, total event revenue for galas averaged $433,227 in 2025 through September, up from $429,183 in 2024, a modest increase of about 0.9%. Average attendance also rose from 330 guests in 2024 to 348 in 2025. Over the longer term from 2022 to 2025, total revenues increased by 14% and attendance by 9%. However, giving per attendee has declined by 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, equating to roughly $70 less per person. This suggests that while individual donations are shrinking, larger crowds are compensating for the shortfall.
Raising Paddles attributes the positive trends to two main factors. First, non-profits that engage professional fundraising firms can implement strategies to offset declines in sponsorships or ticket sales. The company provides consulting services to identify underutilized fundraising opportunities. Second, key donors are stepping up to "fill the gap" left by reduced government funding and other traditional revenue sources. Strong donor relationships enable organizations to request additional support during tough times.
The data excludes events that do not use a professional fundraising auctioneer, as Raising Paddles only measures performance at their own events. The firm has supported over 1,000 non-profit organizations and helped raise nearly $500 million. For more information, visit www.raisingpaddles.com.
