Fundraising Gala Networking Game

Turn the cocktail hour into real conversations between donors, board members, staff, and guests.

Why Galas Need a Networking Game

At most galas, guests arrive with the people at their table and spend the cocktail hour talking to them. Donors don't meet the program staff, first-time guests don't meet board members, and nobody hears the stories behind the mission until the speeches start. A networking game gives guests a reason to walk up to someone new before dinner.

Jam Bingo sends prompts to each guest's phone, like 'Find someone who has seen our programs in person and ask for their favorite story.' After each conversation, guests scan each other's QR codes to unlock the next prompt. It fits a formal evening — no cards, pens, or props — and guests only need their phone.

How?

Jam Bingo is the simplest networking game that gets everyone talking and learning more about each other.

1. during the networking session

Introduce Jam Bingo to get attendees started.

2. Attendees scan to participate

Guests open their phone camera and scan the QR Code.

3. A conversation starter To Connect

Each guest receives a tailored conversation starter.

4. The Exchange: Get People Talking

After chatting, scan the other person's QR Code to mark the connection and unlock your next prompt.

Step-by-step

How to Use the Gala Networking Game at Your Event

The gala networking game helps the people at your event meet new people, not just the people they came with. Here’s how to use it:

01
Step 1
Decide How Many New People Each Person Meets
Create a Jam Bingo for your event and choose how many different people you'd like each person to talk with. That's the job of the Gala Networking Game: getting people past the group they came with and into conversations with people they haven't met yet.
TipNot sure? Start with 5 people each - enough to get everyone past the group they came with.
02
Step 2
Add Conversation Prompts
Pick a ready-made template or write your own prompts. Each prompt gives people a reason to find someone new and a question to start the conversation.
TipKeep prompts about people, not trivia - "Find someone who…" sends people across the room to someone new.
03
Step 3
Display Your Jam Bingo QR Code
Put your Jam Bingo QR code on the big screen, at check-in, or on table cards. People scan it with their phone camera to join - no app to download.
TipExplain it once, in one line: scan, find someone who fits your prompt, talk, then scan each other's QR code.
04
Step 4
Let People Meet New People
Each person gets a conversation prompt, finds someone who fits it, and talks with them. Then they scan that person's QR code to get their next prompt and meet someone else.
TipGive it 20 to 45 minutes during a reception, break, or networking session.
05
Step 5
Everyone Leaves With Their Connections
Every connection is saved, so each person gets a list of the people they met - with the contact info they shared and the conversations they had.
TipRecognize the people who met the most new people at the end - it's an easy way to wrap up.

Ready to Use the Gala Networking Game at Your Event?

Create a Jam Bingo, add your own prompts, and get a QR code for your event. You’ll be directed to the Create Account page first.

Have questions? Book a 15-minute demo.

Use cases

Where to Use Gala Networking Game

What is your goal with Gala Networking Game?

Colleagues from different departments University students coming from different schools Christian singles coming from different cities Delegates from different cities meeting at a conferenceProfessionals at a happy hour/networking mixer

Fundraising Galas

Get guests mingling across tables during the cocktail hour.

Donors meet staff and board members
First-time guests feel welcome
Fits a formal evening

Donor Receptions

Help donors connect with each other and with the people behind your mission.

Stories shared one-on-one
Builds relationships between donors
Easy to run in any venue

Charity Auctions & Benefit Dinners

Warm up the room before the auction so guests arrive at their seats already talking.

More energy before the ask
Mixes guests across tables
No props or printing

Compare

Gala Networking Game vs. an Unstructured Cocktail Hour

Feature	Unstructured Cocktail Hour	Gala Networking Game
Who guests talk to	Their own table	Donors, staff, board members, and new guests
Mission stories	Saved for the speeches	Shared in one-on-one conversations
First-time guests	Often stand alone	Have a reason to start conversations
Fits a formal event	Yes	Yes — just a phone, no props
Setup	None	Write prompts and show a QR code

Inspiration

Example Prompts for Gala Networking Game

Taken from the Fundraising Gala template. Use them as a starting point, then adapt them to your group.

Make people move

Start prompts with "Find someone who…" so each one sends players across the room to a new person, not back to their own table.

Mix easy and deeper prompts

Open with quick, observable prompts (something they're wearing, where they're from), then add a few that lead to a real story.

Keep them inclusive

Avoid prompts about money, looks, or anything someone could feel left out of. Everyone should be able to answer at least half of them.

Match the length of your event

Around 12–16 prompts fits a 30-minute game. More prompts than time just leaves people unfinished.

What type of event?

Company Event Networking Night University Club Church Gathering Chamber Mixer

1
Find someone attending this gala for the first time and ask them what brought them tonight
2
Find someone who has volunteered with our programs and ask them what they saw that stayed with them
3
Find someone who works or volunteers for a different cause and ask them what drew them to it
4
Find someone sitting at a different table and ask them how they first heard about our mission
5
Find someone who has been supporting the organization for more than five years and ask them what has changed
6
Find a staff or board member and ask them for their favorite story from this year
7
Find someone who came with a friend or partner and ask them how they convinced them to come
8
Find someone who has a personal connection to the cause and ask them what it means to them
9
Find someone who has been to a memorable gala or benefit before and ask them what made it special
10
Find someone who is excited about a specific program and ask them why
11
Find someone who has a talent they could donate to a charity auction and ask them what it would be
12
Find someone who grew up in a different city and ask them what community cause matters most there

See all 15 prompts in the Fundraising Gala template · Browse all templates

Alternatives

Other Platforms Like Jam Bingo

Jam Bingo is designed to help people actually get to know each other, not just exchange names. Unlike icebreaker games that focus on quick interactions or surface-level fun, Jam Bingo is built around meaningful conversations that make it easier for people to open up, find common ground, and build real relationships.

Features	Jam Bingo	Hoogo	SocialPoint.io	Booth Bingo	Eventgamification.com
Paperless (QR Code Digital)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Custom Branding	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Conversation Prompt	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Meaningful & Intentional Connections	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Contact Sharing (Email, Instagram, Linkedin, etc)	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Connect with people who aren't playing (scan their LinkedIn QR code, or enter their name + email or phone)	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Each person gets a list of everyone they connected with, including contact information and conversations they had.	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Introduction Forum	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Auto Introductions ("Introduce Me")	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good networking activity for a fundraising gala?

One that fits a formal evening and gets guests talking beyond their own table. Jam Bingo sends conversation prompts to guests' phones during the cocktail hour, so donors, board members, staff, and new guests meet each other before dinner.

Will a game feel out of place at a formal gala?

Not if the prompts fit the evening. There are no cards or props — guests just use their phone between conversations. Prompts about your mission and guests' stories feel natural at a gala.

When should we run it?

During the cocktail hour or reception, before guests sit down for dinner and speeches.

Do guests need to download an app?

No. Guests scan a QR code with their phone camera and join with just their name.

Can prompts connect guests to our programs?

Yes. You write the prompts, so you can point guests toward staff, volunteers, and program participants who can share stories about your impact.

The Simple Way to Get People Talking

Jam Bingo gets people having meaningful conversations and meeting as many new people as possible.

Guide

Fundraising Gala Networking Game

Why Galas Need a Networking Game