AYO Gala
The AYO Gala, hosted by Keeping Families Connected (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), is an annual fundraising event created to support the organization's mission of reuniting and empowering families affected by incarceration hosted at Bentley Dallas dealership.
AYO Gala by Keeping Families Connected Rebrand & Fundraising Strategy Overview
The AYO Gala, hosted by Keeping Families Connected (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), is an annual fundraising event created to support the organization's mission of reuniting and empowering families affected by incarceration. In previous years, the gala struggled to generate significant revenue beyond covering event costs. I was brought on to reimagine and revitalize the event to ensure not only financial sustainability but also increased impact for the organization’s programs.
Strategic Contributions
My role was to lead a full-scale rebrand and implement a fundraising-focused strategy that prioritized profit, purpose, and professionalism. Key contributions included:
Rebranding the annual gala with a timeless name and identity — AYO Gala — allowing for consistency, year-over-year recognition, and long-term brand equity (AYO means Joy).
Providing creative direction for all design assets including invitations, social media content, and signage to reflect elegance and alignment with the Bentley Dallas venue
Developing a digital marketing strategy to increase visibility, donor engagement, and ticket sales
Curating the event production strategy for event coordinators to ensure a premium guest experience while minimizing overhead
Supporting the planning and execution of a fundraising auction to boost donor participation and revenue
Assisting with day-of coordination to ensure seamless execution and donor stewardship
Impact
The 2024 AYO Gala was a transformative success. For the first time, the event not only covered all expenses—it yielded a profit of $50,000 that was reinvested directly into Keeping Families Connected’s programs. The elevated brand experience, strategic marketing, and production improvements significantly increased donor confidence, attendance, and sponsor support. With a refined identity and proven fundraising model, the AYO Gala is now positioned as a signature annual event with growing influence and lasting impact.