FEWER FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS, LESS CAVIAR

“Use balloons instead of flowers,” said Cuppy Kraft, a real estate agent who spends half the year in Delray Beach, Fla., and the other in Pittsburgh and is active in many charities. “Even when speaking to the caterers, one might say, I don’t know that we need truffles.” Mr. Duchin advises still working with the best caterer and the best florist, but negotiating with them to reduce costs. One huge flower display in a prominent spot might be better than 20 or 30 scattered through the hall, on every table.

NO MORE BUSTLING WAITERS

“There’s not as many seated dinners now,” said Ms. Riven, of St. Louis’s art museum. “There are more and more food stations, which are neat. You kind of graze around, sampling different foods.” Some dinners are served from a buffet table, with only dessert and coffee served at the table by waiters.

FIND NEW VENUES

You don’t have to pay for a ballroom at the Ritz. Think a trustee’s grand apartment in the city or a neighbor’s apple barn in the country. Or at the very least, shop around (far more than in the past) for the cheapest deal on the space you want: some places will cut prices in half if you select a Thursday night, rather than a Friday or Saturday.

SOLICIT FOOD AND WINE DONATIONS

At the Center of Creative Arts, the cocktail hour for a coming benefit has been totally donated  for the first time. Increasingly, nonprofits are reaching out to businesses to sponsor or contribute their products, or perhaps one of the supporters owns a vineyard. So, instead of Château Margaux on every table, the charity may end up serving bottles from the local winery  in fact, offering “local” menus has become even more popular in these environmentally conscious times. (It’s easier to persuade local farmers and restaurants to donate than it is more far-flung sources.)

COMMUNICATE IN DIFFERENT WAYS

In the first broadside about the benefit, explain to donors that the board recognizes that times are hard for everyone, and tell them the steps being taken that will make the benefit less lavish  and therefore increase the percentage that goes directly to the charity. In hard times, it probably isn’t enough just to send out the usual invitations and expect the normal response. Some boards give each board member 20 or 30 invitations and ask them to personalize each one to a friend or colleague, offering to make a table of acquaintances.

GIVE THEM MORE FOR THEIR MONEY

In St. Louis, Ms. Riven said that for the $450 patron ticket contributors would be invited to a reception to greet the television star Jon Hamm, of “Mad Men” and “30 Rock,” who grew up in St. Louis. In addition they will be given free cosmetics and the opportunity to be made up by local artists. “All the guests will get more goodies in their goody bag,” Ms. Riven added. In the Hudson Valley of New York, attendees at some sites are now being given free annual memberships.

Without paying attention to the appearances  as well as the realities  of tighter times, the professional party-givers agree: these fund-raisers may get toned down all by themselves.

No one will show up.