We're looking for individuals to help with our 2026 Play it Forward Gala.

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Position Title: Gala Committee Volunteer
‍Organization: Montgomery Sports Foundation (montgomerysf.org)
‍Event: Montgomery Sports Foundation 2nd Annual Play It Forward Gala

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Position Summary:
The Gala Committee Volunteers play a key role in planning and executing the Montgomery Sports Foundation’s annual Play It Forward Gala, an event that brings community members together to support youth athletes by raising funds to remove financial barriers such as sports registration fees and equipment costs. Committee members work collaboratively with staff and fellow volunteers to create an engaging, successful fundraising evening that amplifies the Foundation’s mission in Duluth. We are looking for a group of 10-15 volunteers to help plan for our upcoming Gala on September 16th, 2026.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in monthly gala planning meetings and help shape event logistics (theme, schedule, layout).
  
  • Major event elements such as the venue, catering, auctioneer, and DJ have been secured; remaining planning efforts include and are not limited to: coordination with an audiovisual partner and securing sponsors for dessert and the Coin Toss Challenge game.
• Support fundraising efforts, including sponsorship outreach, ticket sales, and silent/live auction item procurement.
  
  • Sponsorships have already begun, as have silent auction item donations. We have materials prepared to make soliciting for sponsorships and auctions items easy, and are asking that each volunteer bring in 1-2 corporate sponsors from their network, and 4-5 silent auction items.
  • Identify and coordinate items and experiences for the live auction.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with the auctioneer team to support both the live and silent auctions; training, guidance and tools will be provided.
  • Committee members are encouraged to support ticket sales by sharing the event within their personal and professional networks and inviting others to attend.
• Assist with marketing and promotion to grow community awareness and attendance.
• Coordinate volunteer roles and duties for the night of the gala.
• Provide on-site support during the event to ensure smooth execution.
  
  

Time Commitment:

• Committee meetings will be held monthly leading up to the gala and will increase in frequency during the final 6-8 weeks before the event. Committee service begins March 1st, 2026 and concludes with a final wrap-up meeting held prior to September 30th, 2026.  
  
  • Committee members should also anticipate time between meetings to follow up on assignments and help execute planning tasks.
• Attendance and active participation on the night of the event.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Passion for youth sports, community building, and the Montgomery Sports Foundation mission.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well in a team, take initiative, and follow through on tasks.
• Prior experience with event planning or fundraising is a plus, but not required.
  
  

Benefits:

• Be part of an event that directly supports youth athletes and families in Duluth.
• Connect and network with community partners and local supporters.
• Gain experience in nonprofit event planning and fundraising.

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