Here's an excerpt from the Chronicle of Philanthropy article Feb. 9, 2005, "Tips for Creating a Fund-Raising Gala for the First Time" by Sharnell Bryan.

However, Terry Axelrod, a fund-raising consultant in Seattle, also warns against having too many sponsors. Charities, she says, "are too anxious to please the sponsor sometimes, and they're not selective and take on too many sponsors for some events, which means they don't get some of the limelight. They should focus and choose one or two sponsors who will give them more money and believe in their mission."