6 Tips to Make Your Football Club’s Charity Gala a Success

A charity gala is more than just a social gathering: it’s a strategic moment to raise funds, engage supporters, and increase your club’s social impact. For football clubs, this often means supporting the club foundation, youth teams, or local community projects. With the right approach, the gala becomes a success for both the club and the community.

6 Tips for a Successful Charity Gala

1. Set a clear goal

Be transparent about the purpose of your charity gala. Focus on a single social theme and make it tangible with stories, images, or people connected to the cause. This helps your guests understand exactly what they are contributing to and increases their engagement.

2. Choose a venue that suits your audience

While the stadium strengthens the club feeling, a special external location can make the evening just as memorable. Consider accessibility, ambiance, and comfort to create the best experience for your guests.

3. Design a program that inspires and entertains

A well-planned gala leaves a lasting impression. Alternate entertainment with meaningful moments, and structure the program to reflect the story of your club and the cause:

• Personal opening: start with a video, testimonial, or short speech from someone directly involved in the cause to set the tone and immediately engage your audience.

• Dinner: a well-prepared dinner offers space for conversation and networking. Consider table arrangements that mix sponsors, club members, and guests.

• Live entertainment: include music or a performance that suits the evening’s atmosphere and audience.

• Auction and lottery: combine exclusive auction items with an accessible lottery to maximize both fundraising and engagement, giving every guest the chance to contribute—even those with smaller budgets.

  
  

4. Activate your network: before, during, and after the event

A charity gala starts long before the evening itself. Run a campaign via social media, email, and press ahead of time. Share the funds raised, thank your guests, and show the impact. This strengthens relationships with supporters and sponsors and increases the likelihood of future contributions.

5. Add a digital lottery to your gala

A digital lottery is an easy and fun way to increase both revenue and engagement. While an auction often only involves a few generous bidders, a lottery allows all supporters to participate—even those who cannot attend in person.

Why it works:

• Open to everyone aged 18 and older

• Tickets can be sold both before and during the gala via a campaign page and QR codes on tables or screens

• Sponsors can contribute prizes in kind, making their involvement visible

• A live drawing adds excitement and enhances the overall experience

Case example
Clubs like FC Utrecht and SC Heerenveen have shown that a digital lottery can be highly successful. Through smart promotion and unique prize packages, they increased revenue and boosted supporter engagement. For a detailed explanation of how to combine a digital lottery with an auction and why it works so well, see our blog: The Golden Combination at a Charity Gala: Auction and Lottery.

6. Ensure a professional execution

With Lotify, organizing a digital lottery in your club’s style is simple, including custom colors, logos, and recognizable elements. Our GLI-certified drawing mechanisms guarantee a fair and reliable lottery, fully compliant with the Kansspelautoriteit’s guidelines.

Step-by-step overview:

• Create a campaign page in your club’s branding in advance

• Let guests purchase tickets via QR codes during the gala

• Organize the live drawing with a screen or presenter

• Share the results immediately on screen or via announcement

Make your club’s charity evening unforgettable with a digital lottery
A digital lottery helps you raise more funds, increase engagement, and create a memorable experience. Schedule a free consultation today and discover what Lotify can do for your club. Together, we’ll turn your charity gala into a moment of lasting impact.

✅ More revenue
✅ Greater engagement
✅ Unforgettable experience