We've all been there... You open and invitation to a charity fundraiser where your heart says "yes!" but your body feels a sense of dread as you know what lies ahead: figuring out what to wear, awkward small talk, a rubber chicken dinner, and the many attempts to ask for money. This isn't to shame traditional fundraising—these events have raised billions for important causes. But as our team started realizing that most nonprofit fundraising events felt like copy-paste templates, we asked ourselves, "What if fundraising events could actually give back to the generous people who support them, rather than just extracting from them? What if we reimagined fundraising to un-do the traditional elements and do something better?
The UN-Gala
The UN-Gala concept starts with a radical premise: What if a Momento fundraising event could feel like an investment in a donor's own growth, healing, and community as much as their support is an investment in our mission and the community we serve?
Instead of the traditional model, the UN-Gala is designed to ensure every person walks away having experienced meaningful connection, support, and value beyond what they paid for their ticket. We want to create sustainable giving by nourishing the people who make that generosity possible.
- Personal Growth & Healing: Through thoughtfully designed experiences focused on healing and support, donors can invest in themselves while giving to help others.
- Nourishment Over Extraction: UN-Galas are designed to fill you up rather than drain you. This means genuine hospitality, only one ask for radical generosity, food that nourishes both your body and soul, environments that feel welcoming, and experiences that leave you feeling energized and inspired rather than socially exhausted.
- Inclusion: We sell sponsored tickets so your generosity can create an invitation for families we serve who are unable to afford a ticket themselves. This not only creates a gift for the families, but allows donors to share a meal with the recipients of their generosity.
This approach recognizes that generous people are a precious resource that should be treasured, not just tapped. When we invest in their growth, healing, and connection, we're not just raising money for today's needs—we're building a sustainable community of support for the long haul.
Moreover, the model itself becomes part of the mission. In a world that often feels transactional, creating spaces that are generative and relational demonstrates the very values we lead with. We've hosted three UN-gala events thus far... from Barnsley Gardens to Monday Night Brewing, we've created spaces for sound baths, grief yoga, and meditation walks as we eat, drink, and honor our humanity. We can't wait to host many more!
A Future of Radical Generosity
What if the very act of supporting others became a source of personal renewal and community connection? What if fundraising events left us feeling more whole, more connected, and more hopeful about the world we're building together?
This is the promise of the UN-Gala: unforgettable experiences that honor both your generosity and your humanity, creating sustainable communities of care that benefit everyone involved.
We can't wait to explore this vision with you. Because you deserve more than rubber chicken and awkward paddle raises. You deserve experiences worthy of your loving heart and generosity.
