A good fundraiser gives people a reason to care and enough room to connect. ERIA helps nonprofit teams shape gatherings in San Francisco and Sausalito around a clear purpose, from an intimate donor dinner to a reception with a presentation and an auction. We begin with your audience, your fundraising goal and the amount you can responsibly spend on the event.
Build the budget around the mission
Separate your fundraising target from the event's operating budget. List venue rental, food, drinks, staffing, production, rentals and any applicable fees before deciding what ticket income or sponsorship needs to cover. Ask for a proposal with the same headcount and service assumptions across every option. Tell us about date flexibility early so we can explore suitable arrangements; nonprofit pricing and availability are confirmed individually.
Give the appeal a place in the evening
A heartfelt appeal needs guests' attention. Plan the welcome, meal service and speeches together so the room is ready to listen. Keep the presentation position visible from the proposed seating and allow time for a microphone check. If you want an auction, share the number and size of items, the display needs and the collection process before the floor plan is finalised.
Make sponsor recognition feel considered
Decide where sponsors appear before designing signage. A welcome display, a programme acknowledgement and a clearly timed thank-you can work together without filling every surface. Give ERIA your logo files, display requirements and delivery schedule. The organising team should identify who approves sponsor wording, operates donation collection and handles donor follow-up, while the event team coordinates the hospitality and room logistics agreed in the proposal.
Choose the room for the programme
ERIA Marina offers a San Francisco setting for receptions, seated meals and presentations. ERIA Sausalito brings a waterfront setting to donor gatherings and dinners. Compare the actual event layout with the overall venue capacity: auction tables, a stage and service stations all need space. Review the room plans with us and confirm the guest route and any individual access needs before invitations are issued.
A possible rhythm for the day
Use this example as a starting point. Your event schedule, services and access hours are agreed for your booking.
Welcome & connection
Guest check-in, refreshments and time to view auction items or learn about the cause.
The shared purpose
A concise introduction, a story from the organisation and the planned fundraising moment.
A thoughtful close
Conversation, sponsor thanks and clear instructions for auction collection or next steps.
A few details to begin
You do not need to have every answer. These details help us suggest a suitable space and prepare a useful proposal.
- Organisation, event purpose and audience
- Guest estimate and preferred dates
- Event spending limit and anticipated sponsors
- Auction, donation and presentation requirements
Your questions, answered
Does ERIA offer nonprofit event rates?
Share your organisation, event brief, preferred dates and budget. We can discuss the options available for that booking. Any adjusted rate, inclusions or minimum commitment will be stated in the written proposal.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Outside catering is possible with approval and a certificate of insurance. Tell us whether the caterer needs kitchen access, equipment or service staff so the proposal includes the relevant arrangements and charges.
Can we include an auction or a donor presentation?
Include the format in your brief. The team can review display space, seating, AV requirements and the schedule. Your organisation remains responsible for donation processing and donor records unless a specific additional service is agreed.