eSurvey: Gala vs Fun Run
Posted Date: 05/16/26 (06:00 PM)
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The Seacliff Gala has become one of our community’s most loved traditions — creating a fun parents’ night out while raising important funds for our school. At the same time, the event requires a tremendous amount of volunteer leadership, planning, procurement, sponsorship outreach, and coordination over many months.
The Gala is a deeply valued Seacliff tradition, and exploring future fundraising options does not mean the event is permanently going away. We are also considering ideas such as rotating the Gala every other year to help create a more sustainable balance for volunteers, fundraising goals, and our school community.
We are also exploring fundraising models such as a Fun Run / Direct Donation Drive, which many schools in our district and surrounding communities have used successfully to raise meaningful funds with lower upfront costs and fewer volunteer hours.
This survey is intended to help guide fundraising planning for the 2026–27 school year, including ideas such as:
✨ Holding the Gala every other year
✨ Moving toward a Fun Run / Direct Donation model
✨ Exploring a combination of fundraising events
📋 TAKE THE SURVEY:
SEACLIFF FUNDRAISING SURVEY
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WHAT IS A FUN RUN?
These fundraising models often provide:
💙 Strong student and family participation
💙 School and student goal incentives 💙 School spirit and community engagement
💙 Lower upfront costs
💙 Fewer volunteer hours and planning demands
Many schools within our district and surrounding communities have successfully used Fun Runs and Direct Donation campaigns to raise significant funds while creating sustainable volunteer models for their PTAs and school communities.
While Fun Runs may not offer the same parent social experience as a Gala, they can still raise meaningful funds for our Sea Stars and provide a more sustainable approach to fundraising and volunteer support.
While Fun Runs may not offer the same parent social experience as a Gala, they can still raise meaningful funds for our Sea Stars and provide a more sustainable approach to fundraising and volunteer support.
The Seacliff Gala is one of our school’s most loved traditions — a parent-focused evening that brings our community together for dinner, entertainment, auctions, and fundraising in support of our Sea Stars.
This event started when the school opened and the PTA was established. Moving away from this fundraising model isn't an easy decision, as we have strong emotional ties to its connection to Seacliff's fundraising identity.
This event started when the school opened and the PTA was established. Moving away from this fundraising model isn't an easy decision, as we have strong emotional ties to its connection to Seacliff's fundraising identity.
Our Gala creates:
💙 A fun parents night out
💙 Strong community connection
💙 Meaningful fundraising for our school
Over the years, the Gala has raised significant funds that directly support the PTA, and all profits go back to help students, teachers, enrichment programs, campus improvements, and school experiences.
At the same time, Galas require extensive volunteer leadership, months of planning, procurement, sponsorship outreach, and higher upfront event costs to successfully bring the event to life.
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At this time, no Gala Lead or planning team has stepped forward for next year’s event. Without additional volunteers willing to help lead and organize, it may not be possible to continue the Gala in its current form.
No matter which direction Seacliff chooses, these events rely on volunteers to make them successful. Whether it’s a Gala, Fun Run, or another fundraising model, we will need dedicated event leads and team members willing to help support our school community.
If you are interested in helping lead or support next year’s fundraising efforts, please reach out to SeacliffPTA@gmail.com or, use the
Thank you for helping shape the future of fundraising for our Sea Stars! 💙
Stay Connected!
Follow Seacliff PTA on Instagram and Facebook to discover all we do and how we support our Sea Stars at Seacliff Elementary! For more detailed information, visit our website: www.SeacliffPTA.com