It's a gala evolution, people : As nonprofits struggle to get more dollars out of events, they're tweaking and even ending long-standing parties

Fans of event-based philanthropy, brace yourselves for changes to the party schedule. It's a gala evolution, as nonprofits try to stay fresh and wrest more dollars from events. The trend surfaces in canceled galas and reimagined ones.

The Art Institute of Chicago's spring gala has historically been a pretty party, but not a huge moneymaker. The museum plans to change that this year with Masterpiece17, scheduled for May 6. Instead of celebrating the opening of one exhibit, the party will fo...