“I give with…”
That’s the entire prompt we gave guests at a recent DC gala. No further instructions, no sample answers on display, just three words and a blank space to fill in.
By the end of the night, the line to finish that sentence hadn’t stopped moving.
That’s Scribbl’d Studio: a glass screen guests write or draw on, captured on video as a keepsake. It doesn’t replace the photo moment guests already love, it complements it, giving them another reason to stay in that line.
What happened at the gala
Guests filled in their own reasons. Some wrote a name. Some wrote a feeling. Some wrote a full sentence about why the cause mattered to them personally. Each one got captured on video and became something the guest could keep and the host could use again.
Not because the prompt was novel, but because it gave people something they actually wanted to say.
Why this worked (and what it means for your gala)
The activation wasn’t competing with the mission for attention. It was the mission, restated in the guest’s own words.
That distinction matters for three groups in the room:
For guests, it added meaning to a keepsake they already love taking home.
For your board and staff, it produced content that stands out in the recap: real donors, in their own words, on video, saying why they give.
For sponsors, it’s proof of engagement they can actually point to, not just a logo on a step-and-repeat backdrop.
The bigger principle
A photo activation should be built around what you want your guests to feel and say, not just what you want them to take home. The format is flexible. The prompt is what does the work.
That’s the principle behind Scribbl’d Studio, and it’s the reason this particular gala has stuck with me since.
If you’re planning a gala or fundraiser and want the photo moment to carry some of that same weight, that’s the conversation worth having early, before the prompt gets designed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a gala activation memorable for guests?
The best gala activations give guests a reason to participate that connects back to why they’re at the event, whether that’s a fundraiser’s mission, a milestone being celebrated, or a sponsor’s message. A great photo or video keepsake becomes even more meaningful when it’s tied to something guests actually want to say.
What is Scribbl’d Studio?
Scribbl’d Studio is an interactive activation where guests write or draw on a glass screen, captured on video as a keepsake. It’s built to be customized around a specific prompt or theme for each event.
How do you tie a gala photo activation to the mission?
Give guests a specific, personal prompt tied to the event’s purpose. It adds another layer to the keepsake guests already love taking home.
