BOLD Leading
Free scorecard for small nonprofits

The 4-Question Event Test

Keep it. Fix it. Or retire it. Score your gala, banquet, or fundraiser in 10 minutes.

  • 01New people
  • 02Money
  • 03Story
  • 04Raving fans

My first banquet was a disaster. Five-hour program. Half the room gone by the two-hour mark. It took thirteen years to get it right. What changed? Every event had to pass four questions. Run your next event through them before you book a venue.

Get the free scorecard

Checklist, scoring, and step-by-step fixes for every question.

Our last gala, after thirteen years of getting it wrong first

900tickets sold
800guests in the room
500+sponsors standing with us
6 figuresraised in one night

What's inside

Know what to keep, what to fix, and what to retire.

  • A checklist for each question, so you can tell if your event brings in new people, makes money, tells your story, and creates raving fans.
  • A 0–2 score for each question. Be honest. It takes about 10 minutes.
  • Step-by-step fixes for any question that scores a 0 or 1, from the donor sprint to the three-minute ask.
  • The follow-up plan most nonprofits skip, which is where the relationship actually grows.
7–8Keep it and grow it
4–6Redesign it
0–3Retire it
An empty banquet table becomes a full table of joyful supporters

A gala that fails the test doesn't just waste a night. It wastes months of staff time you don't have.

Dave Sena, Founder, Bold Leading
Dave Sena

From Dave Sena

I've spent nearly 30 years in nonprofit leadership, from leading a rescue mission to running major donor fundraising and crisis turnarounds. I ran galas for thirteen years and have helped raise millions of dollars for compassion-based ministries.

Bold Leading helps executive directors at faith-based and compassion-based nonprofits build fundraising that funds the mission.

Before you book a venue

Score your next event.

Get the free scorecard