A fundraising dinner has two jobs. Guests should have a good night, and the organization should leave with more money than it spent. Most committees get the first part right and lose part of the second to logistics: a program that starts late, auction items nobody walks past, or a room too noisy for the ask.
To plan a successful fundraising dinner with an auction or presentation, organizations should prioritize their primary "money moment"—such as ticket sales, a live auction, or a paddle raise—and then strategically design the event's room layout, timeline, and bar service around it. For instance, the Fleur de Lis Event Center advises placing silent auction tables in high-traffic areas and closing them before the main program to maintain guest focus during the fundraising ask. This approach ensures guests have a good experience while maximizing the funds raised for the organization.
Here is how to plan the night around the moment that raises the money, whether you’re a school, church, nonprofit or civic group in Mandeville, Covington, Slidell or anywhere on the Northshore.
How do you determine the primary fundraising method for your event?
Before picking a date, decide where most of the money will come from. It might be ticket sales, sponsors, a live auction, a silent auction, a paddle raise for one specific need, or a mix. Then plan the room, the timeline and the bar around that one moment.
If the live auction is the main event, guests need to be seated, fed and paying attention when it starts. If the silent auction carries the night, guests need time and space to walk the tables before dinner.
Choose a room that fits the guest list
Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville has three event spaces.
| Space | Comfortable range | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Private Restaurant | Up to approximately 100 guests | Donor dinners and smaller benefit events |
| Jazz Ballroom | Approximately 50 to 300 guests | Mid-size galas with a silent auction |
| Pontchartrain Ballroom | Approximately 100 to 500 guests | Large galas with a live auction and band |
These are comfortable operating ranges, not contractual minimums. For larger guest lists, the Pontchartrain Ballroom can add balcony seating for nearly 100 guests at regular tables, plus an additional upstairs bar. The second floor is reached by stairs only, so keep guests with mobility needs on the main level.
If the program matters most, consider a seated dinner. In our experience, seated service works best for about 100 guests or fewer, and servers clear tables throughout the event so speakers aren’t competing with plate noise.
Plan the room on paper first
Floor plans and layout diagrams are available by request. Use one to place registration, the silent-auction tables, the bar and the speaking area before the committee argues about it on event day. A few rules of thumb:
- Put silent-auction tables where guests already walk, between the entrance, the bar and their seats.
- Close the silent auction before the live program starts, so guests aren’t drifting back to bid during the ask.
- Keep the live auction short. A handful of strong items holds a room better than a long list.
What fundraising and entertainment ideas are suitable for the venue?
- Live painting. Live painters are allowed. A painting created during the dinner makes a strong final auction item.
- A dessert auction. Outside commercially prepared desserts are allowed, so bakery donations can go up for bid. Outside catering generally is not permitted, so the meal itself comes from our kitchen.
- A balloon drop for the final total. Balloon drops are welcome as long as the balloons don’t contain confetti.
- A live band. Live bands are allowed. A modular stage is available as a separate add-on, not part of the room, with setup currently $325.
Pick a bar plan that protects the budget
We can build the bar around the event: a full open bar, beer and wine, a cash bar, a signature cocktail or non-alcoholic and mocktail packages. Many fundraisers use a cash bar to keep costs down. Uniformed security is required with an open bar and is currently $220; it is optional with a cash bar or no alcohol service.
If a sponsor offers to donate wine or liquor, know up front that donated alcohol can’t be served at the event. Outside alcohol is not permitted; all alcohol is served through Fleur de Lis under our liquor license. See our bar and event policies for details.
What it costs
Pricing depends on the space, the menu, the bar and your guest count, so there is no single starting price. Call us with your date and goals, and we’ll put together a quote.
For banquets and organizational events like fundraisers, guest counts can generally be changed through Tuesday at 9:00 AM before the event.
Questions to ask any fundraiser venue
- Can we see a floor plan to map registration, auction tables and the stage?
- What sound system and microphones are available for speakers and the auctioneer?
- Can we run a cash bar, and is security required?
- Can donated wine or liquor be served?
- When is the final guest count due, and how late can we add guests?
How can you schedule a venue tour for your fundraising event?
Walk the space with your floor plan in hand. Tours are normally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday mornings, with virtual tours for committee members who can’t make it in person. Call 985-626-9118 to check your date.
Related: Event Spaces | Pontchartrain Ballroom | Jazz Ballroom | Plan an Event
About the Author: Taylor Thomas
