Charity Poker Gala
A black-tie evening where the buy-in funds your cause. We stage the tournament, the auction, the room and the receipts; your foundation keeps the raised amount in full.
The fundraiser people buy tickets to on purpose
Charity galas work because the format sells itself: guests pay a tax-deductible ticket for a black-tie evening with a tournament, a seated dinner and a live auction, and the whole ticket value lands with your cause.
We have run galas for marine research foundations, children's hospital appeals and surf lifesaving clubs. Our team stages the entire evening at cost, from the silent auction software to the champagne rail, so your volunteers can work the room instead of the logistics.
Built to maximise the night, not the budget
Full fundraising stack
Tournament buy-ins, silent auction, live auction and raffle run through one system with receipts issued for every dollar.
At-cost staging
We charge the gala at our cost rate. Venue, dealers, AV and auction software are priced to protect your margin.
Black-tie presentation
The room dresses formal: white jacket service, champagne rail on arrival and a seated three-course dinner.
Auction desk
Silent auction runs on tablets at every table. Our team provides the software, the screens and the closing hammer.
Sponsor placement
Sponsor logos on felt, screens and programmes. Your major supporters get named tables and speaking slots.
Post-event reporting
A reconciliation report within five business days: gross raised, per-channel breakdown and receipt records.
Everything arranged before you step aboard
- Venue, dealers, tournament direction and event staffing
- Seated three-course dinner and arrival champagne
- Silent and live auction systems with trained operators
- Tournament prizes and winner's trophy at our cost
- Sponsor placement across felt, screens and print
- Full post-event reconciliation report
From first call to final hand
Brief your cause
Tell us the organisation, the target and the date. We respond with a budget model showing realistic gross and cost.
Sell the tables
Tickets go on sale through your channels with our collateral. Corporate tables of ten sell fastest.
Stage the evening
Guests board to a black-tie room: champagne rail, seated dinner, tournament and auctions run to our run-sheet.
Count the result
The live auction closes on stage, the tournament crowns a winner and your reconciliation lands within five days.
Our previous record for a single-night fundraiser was A$31,000. The gala cleared A$74,000 and our volunteers spent the evening with donors instead of doing dishes.
How the night unfolds on board
Every sailing is choreographed around the tables. Times shift slightly with the season and the vessel, but the rhythm below is the one our guests know well.
18:30: champagne rail
Guests board to a formal welcome, silent auction tablets already live at every table.
19:30: dinner and first flight
Seated dinner service while the tournament's first flight plays. Non-players bid through the meal.
21:00: live auction
The auctioneer takes the stage for six headline lots. This is where galas make their number.
22:30: final table and tally
The final table plays out, the trophy is presented and the night's total is announced to the room.
Three ways to play the charity gala
Individual ticket
Seat at a scheduled public gala: dinner, fun money bankroll and auction access.
Corporate table of ten
A named table for your organisation with sponsor placement and priority seating.
Whole gala for your cause
The entire evening built around your foundation: date, theme, auction lots and run-sheet at cost.
About the charity gala
Related experiences
Put your cause on the water
Send us the organisation, target and preferred month. We will return a budget model and available dates within two business days.