WHAT WORKING WITH US LOOKS LIKE
Gala leadership, designed to build lasting strength
White Whale produces fundraising events — and does so in a way that strengthens leadership inside the organization.
We provide hands-on execution leadership to fully support gala planning and production, while working closely with staff, boards, and trusted partners to ensure clarity, shared ownership, and alignment throughout the process.
The result is fundraising that is well-executed, well-understood, and designed to build long-term confidence and continuity within the organization.
Clarity Before Execution
Our work begins by clarifying purpose, roles, and what success looks like — before moving into execution.
By aligning on the role a gala plays within the broader fundraising strategy, clarifying what success truly looks like beyond a single night, and setting clear expectations for staff, board, and volunteers, planning moves forward with confidence.
That early alignment reduces pressure, prevents missteps, and allows execution to feel steady, intentional, and well-supported.
Strategic Partnership
White Whale takes full ownership of event execution while working in close partnership with the organization.
We lead planning and production, coordinating with experienced vendor partners as needed to support technical, creative, and logistical elements of the event.
Execution is handled with care, complexity is managed proactively, and leadership remains informed and engaged — so organizations can trust the work is being carried with clarity and confidence.
Teaching + Knowledge Transfer
Throughout the process, White Whale focuses on teaching alongside execution.
Rather than making decisions in isolation, we ensure staff and board members understand the reasoning behind key choices — how strategies support the organization’s broader fundraising goals, how decisions connect across an event and over time, and what to pay attention to year over year.
That shared understanding builds confidence, strengthens leadership, and ensures knowledge stays within the organization.
The Tribal Workbook™
To ensure learning and clarity carry forward, every White Whale engagement includes a Tribal Workbook™ — a living record of key decisions, strategies, and context built throughout the fundraising process.
It allows organizations to retain institutional knowledge over time, so leadership changes don’t require starting from scratch.
What This Work Requires
White Whale’s work is designed for organizations willing to engage staff, board leadership, and key stakeholders in the fundraising process.
That doesn’t mean everyone does everything — but it does mean the right people are involved at the right moments, decisions are made with shared understanding, and leadership remains connected to the work as it unfolds.
This level of engagement allows fundraising to feel supported, while also building clarity, confidence, and long-term strength within the organization.
Designed For
This work is designed for organizations that see fundraising as a long-term relationship — not a one-night transaction.
It works best for organizations that want events to strengthen leadership and alignment, care deeply about donor and sponsor relationships, and value intention and clarity over urgency and last-minute pressure.
At its core, this approach fits organizations that view their gala as part of a broader fundraising strategy — an opportunity to bring the right people into the room and deepen relationships that extend well beyond the event itself.
Pricing & Engagements
White Whale’s work is structured around leadership responsibility, organizational complexity, and the level of execution support required — not a checklist of tasks.
Our engagements range from advisory support to comprehensive leadership and execution partnerships. In every case, pricing reflects the scope of responsibility we’re taking on and the long-term strength we’re helping build inside the organization.
We offer clear engagement ranges so organizations can understand what working together looks like before starting a conversation.