Gala Night Of - FAQ page
Please note: The 2023 Gala is a ticketed event and is completely sold out. This information is exclusively for sponsors and ticketed guests. Click here to check out the event webpage! Our Silent Auction is now live, and our Live Auction items are available for preview. Click here to browse and bid!
When is the Habitat Gala? This year’s Habitat Gala will be held on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at 6pm.
When will I receive my ticket? You will not receive a physical ticket to this event. When you are registered through the GiveSmart online ticketing system through your table sponsor or your purchase of individual tickets, you will receive a notification with a prompt to create a username and login. We encourage you to fill out all personal information, as well as submit your credit card information for the auction prior to the event for a faster check-in and check-out. The event itself will be a ticketless event with all registrants’ names on a list for entrance. Only pre-registered guests will be admitted.
What do I need to bring to the Gala? Please bring your ID and a credit card to participate in the auction and Fund-The-Future.
What time does the Habitat Gala start and end? The Habitat Gala begins promptly at 6pm with a reception followed by a program and exciting after-party under the stars with a DJ and surprises in store!
Where is the Habitat Gala? The Habitat Gala will take place at the Memorial Auditorium located at 1515 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814. The reception, dinner and program, as well as after-party, will take place outdoors and inside the Memorial Auditorium. Guests are asked to enter along 15th street Between I and J streets at the western entrance to the Memorial Auditorium.
Where do I park and will there be valet? Complimentary valet parking will be available for guests. Valet is located on the west side of the Memorial Auditorium on 15th street between I and J street. Wine, beer, bubbles, and specialty cocktails will be complimentary at the Habitat Gala, so we highly recommend attending the event via Uber/Lyft or a designated driver.
What can I expect at the event? The “Hard Hats & High Heels” Gala is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s premier fundraising event of the year! The event includes an exciting champagne reception, outstanding live entertainment, wine and gourmet dinner, an exciting live auction and a lively after-party where guests can dance the night away under the stars! You won’t want to miss the fun surprises in store during the after party! The goal of this year’s Gala is to raise $475,000 to support Habitat’s ambitious goals to build and repair more homes in the coming year than any other year. For guests who have not attended the Habitat Gala recently, we encourage you to watch this brief video recap of our last in-person Gala to get a feel for what to expect at this year’s event.
What do I wear to the Habitat Gala? The Habitat Gala is a black-tie event. Most guests wear suits, tuxes, or floor length gowns. For inspiration, please check out this photo album from the Sacramento Business Journal’s coverage of our 2022 event!
Why am I being asked to give my credit card information? The “Hard Hats & High Heels” Gala is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s premier fundraising event of the year. A main focus of the evening’s program is the exciting live auction and our Fund-The-Future opportunity. All guests are encouraged to participate. Funds raised during the Gala will support Habitat’s mission to build and preserve affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and Veterans in our region. Together we can build homes, communities and hope!
Can’t I just submit my credit card when I arrive rather than putting it into the safe, secure system ahead of time? While you can provide your credit card at the event upon arrival at check-in, by putting in your credit card prior to the event, you help support a quicker and more efficient check-in and check-out process for yourself and our other guests.
Where can I view the live and silent auction items? The live auction is available for preview and silent auction is open for bidding now! Click here to browse and bid. The silent auction is open for bidding for everyone, whether attending the event or not! We encourage guests to please share the link with anyone who may be interested in supporting Habitat’s mission to build and preserve affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and Veterans.
I know someone who is not able to attend, but would like to make an absentee bid or donation at the event, how can this be coordinated? Fantastic! Donations can be made online here. Absentee bids or donations can also be made by contacting our Senior Development Officer Kathy Severson at KSeverson@HabitatGreaterSac.org or (916) 440-1215 x1122.
I am interested in making a matching donation challenge and/or making a large gift at the Gala and I’d like to coordinate with Habitat beforehand, is that possible? Yes! Please contact our Senior Development Officer Kathy Severson at KSeverson@HabitatGreaterSac.org or (916) 440-1215 x1122.
If I am the winning bidder, when do I receive my auction item? The live auction will take place exclusively during the event and, with the exception of items requiring delivery, will be given to guests at the auction check-out table upon exit from the event. The silent auction will be available for all to take part in (whether attending the event or not) and will close the following day on Sunday, September 17th at noon. Unless otherwise noted, silent auction items will be available for pick up at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento (819 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811) on Monday, September 25th between the hours of 9:00am – 6:00pm. If you are unavailable to pick up your item on the pick-up day, please contact Habitat directly for alternative pick-up or delivery options. Please note that for delivery options, additional charges may be incurred at the expense of winner.
I have food allergies/restrictions, how do I make sure they are accommodated? When you receive your ticketed registration through purchasing your ticket or through your table sponsor, please select your entrée of choice and let us know if you have any additional restrictions/allergies for our team to be aware of. Our menu includes a meat and a vegan/vegetarian option for the main course. Passed appetizers will also include meat, fish, and vegan options.
What food and beverages will be served at this year’s Habitat Gala? Dinner entrée options will include cider-braised beef short rib with rustic herbed mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, or roasted cauliflower steak served with seasonal vegetables and grains (vegan, gluten-free). Entreés will be served with house-baked bread and butter and a salad of field greens, port-soaked cherries, feta, balsamic grilled onions, candied walnuts, and vinaigrette.
I am interested in getting an additional ticket to this year’s event, is that possible? Unfortunately the Habitat Gala is completely sold out. Please contact Senior Development Officer, Kathy Severson at KSeverson@HabitatGreaterSac.org or (916) 440-1215 x1122 with any questions.
I have friends/colleagues/family members who are unable to attend the Gala, but would love to support Habitat. How can they do that? We encourage sharing the silent auction and donation page which are open to members of the public to participate in. Individuals can also make a general donation here, donate material goods to the Habitat ReStore, or sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento on our website page here. For any questions on how to support Habitat outside of attending the Gala event, please contact Community Engagement Manager Brianna Lowrie at BLowrie@HabitatGreaterSac.org.
I have a question that was not answered on this page, who can I contact? For any questions not answered, please contact our Senior Development Officer Kathy Severson at KSeverson@HabitatGreaterSac.org or (916) 440-1215 x1122.
