Going to a gala? Here’s your checklist. - The Washington Post

Going to a gala? Here’s your checklist. - The Washington Post: Do your homework. Studies show that people are more likely to support a cause when asked by their friend. In fact, that’s how many people end up at galas and fundraising parties. But before you say yes, “Do your due diligence,” said Andrew Watt, head of Association of Fundraising Professionals International. “I do worry some people might spend more time researching getting a new pair of running shoes than [learning about] the causes their running for.” Along with understanding the organization’s mission, it also might save an embarrassing moment. One fundraiser recalled a friend who accepted an invitation blindly and ended up at an event that raised money for a cause opposed to her values.