Planning a nonprofit gala or fundraiser near Plantation? The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale rents event space at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, about 17 minutes from Plantation. Its Main Auditorium seats 110 for a seated dinner or 275 for a program, the Welcome Lobby holds 200 for a cocktail hour, and the lot parks 150 vehicles.
At a glance
- From Plantation: about 17 minutes and 10.0 miles by car via Sunrise Boulevard and I-95 (typical time; traffic varies).
- Main Auditorium: 2,944 sq ft; 110 for a seated dinner or 275 auditorium-style.
- Welcome Lobby: 1,418 sq ft; up to 200 cocktail-style for receptions and silent auctions.
- Multipurpose Room: 1,026 sq ft; 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style or 40 conference-style.
- Included: tables, basic linens, 275 banquet chairs, place settings for 200, kitchen access and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- AV: professional sound and video booth with projection, streaming and a teleprompter for your program.
- To book: call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868.
Why Plantation planners look to Oakland Park for galas and fundraisers
Plantation has a habit of raising money for good causes. The fire department’s barbecue fundraiser began in 1956 and is still one of the city’s annual traditions. The Plantation Women’s Club dates to 1949, and the city’s civic life started with homeowners: a homeowners’ organization founded in 1949 appointed the first mayor when Plantation incorporated in 1953.
Business is part of that civic fabric too. The Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce has served the community since 1961 and describes itself as one of the largest and most active chambers in Broward County, with nearly 400 member companies. Chambers, service clubs and the nonprofits they support all need somewhere to host an annual dinner, an awards night or a donor reception.
The venue’s list of welcome events names fundraisers and non-profit organization events directly, along with dinners, banquets and networking. A short trip east gives a Plantation board a room set up for exactly that kind of evening.
How far is it from Plantation?
From the center of Plantation, the venue is about 10.0 miles by car, typically about 17 minutes. The usual route heads east on West Sunrise Boulevard (SR 838), north on I-95, then east on Commercial Boulevard (SR 870) to North Dixie Highway in Oakland Park.
Those numbers are typical free-flow estimates measured from the city’s center, not traffic-adjusted. Guests coming from Plantation Acres on the west side, or from Jacaranda and Melaleuca Isles, will have different times. On a weeknight gala, remind guests that I-95 traffic varies and suggest they leave a few minutes early for the cocktail hour.
Nonprofit galas, fundraisers and networking events
The classic gala evening
Most galas follow a familiar shape: a cocktail hour, a seated dinner, a short program with a speaker or honoree, a paddle raise, then dessert and goodbyes. The Center’s rooms line up with that rhythm. Guests mingle in the Welcome Lobby, which holds up to 200 standing, then move into the Main Auditorium for dinner at round tables for up to 110.
Silent auctions and sponsor displays
The rectangular buffet tables and square card tables included with the Main Auditorium work well for silent auction items, raffle baskets and sponsor signage. Placing them in the lobby keeps bidding active during the cocktail hour and frees the dinner room for tables.
Programs that need a big screen
A mission video, a slideshow of the year’s impact or a live pledge total all play better on a big screen. The professional sound and video booth handles projection and microphones, and the presidential teleprompter helps your executive director deliver the ask without reading from notes. Streaming lets board members or supporters who are out of town watch the program.
Chamber breakfasts and board meetings
Not every event is black-tie. A networking breakfast for 60 fits the Multipurpose Room cocktail-style, and a 40-seat board retreat works conference-style with the room’s whiteboard. Civic and HOA meetings for larger groups can use the Main Auditorium’s 275 seats.
Which room fits your guest count?
For a gala, plan around the seated dinner number. For a program-only event, plan around seats in rows.
| Room | Size | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Auditorium | 2,944 sq ft | 110 seated dinner, 275 auditorium-style | Gala dinners, awards programs, annual meetings |
| Welcome Lobby | 1,418 sq ft | 200 cocktail-style | Cocktail hours, silent auctions, donor receptions |
| Multipurpose Room | 1,026 sq ft | 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style, 40 conference-style | Networking breakfasts, committee meetings, VIP receptions |
Many fundraisers book the lobby and auditorium together. The event venue rental page lists the furniture that comes with each space.
Check gala dates and room details
What’s included: tables, linens, place settings and the kitchen
For a nonprofit committee, every item that comes with the room is one less thing to source. A Main Auditorium rental includes:
- Thirteen 60-inch round tables (seating 8 each) with basic linens
- Rectangular buffet tables in three sizes and six square card tables, with basic linens
- Six round high-top cocktail tables with black linens or spandex
- 275 tan banquet chairs, plus two blue linen couches and two blue linen club chairs
- Place settings for 200: salad and dinner plates, full dinnerware, basic linen napkins and water glasses
- Kitchen access and password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi
The kitchen gives your caterer two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders. That reach-in is a real help when plated salads and desserts need to stay cold until service.
Planning tip: Put your highest-value auction items closest to the auditorium doors. Guests pass them twice, once going in to dinner and once coming out, which gives late bidders a second chance.
Setting the scene: lobby arrivals, dinner layout and program space
Arrival sets the tone for a fundraiser. Guests come in from the parking lot directly into the Welcome Lobby, where the Guest Services desk can serve as check-in for name tags, table assignments and bid numbers. The lobby’s couches and club chairs give older donors a place to sit during the cocktail hour.
In the Main Auditorium, set the rounds so every table has a clear view of the screen and the podium. Leave a center aisle for servers and for honorees walking up to accept awards. Jim Wood can talk through layouts and any décor plans during a walk-through.
Planning checklist for your Plantation event
- Set your goal, guest count and format (dinner gala, cocktail reception or breakfast).
- Call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 to hold a date, review policies and request a quote.
- Choose rooms: lobby for the reception, auditorium for dinner and program.
- Line up your caterer and share the kitchen equipment list with them.
- Plan AV: mission video, slides, microphones, teleprompter and any livestream.
- Map out silent auction tables, sponsor signage and check-in.
- Draft a run of show with timings for cocktails, dinner, program and the ask.
- Send guests the address, 4849 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, plus parking details.
- Schedule a walk-through with your committee chair before invitations go out.
When to book: gala season
Gala season generally runs from fall through spring, and many organizations aim for the same handful of weekends. If your organization holds an annual dinner, book next year’s date soon after this year’s event wraps.
Weeknights can be a smart choice for networking events and smaller fundraisers. Check the Center’s calendar to see what else is happening on a given week, then call to confirm availability.
Parking and arrival for guests coming from Plantation
The on-site lot holds up to 150 vehicles, enough for a full seated dinner with room to spare. Guests park and walk straight into the lobby, which matters when they are dressed up for the evening.
In your invitation, include the route from Plantation (Sunrise Boulevard to I-95 north, then east on Commercial Boulevard) and the street address. If your board includes members from Plantation Acres or the far west of the city, suggest a carpool from a central meeting point.
A home base for community causes
Plantation takes pride in shared spaces: Plantation Central Park opened in 1983 as a 77-acre recreation complex, Plantation Heritage Park opened the following year, and the city has been a Tree City since 1980. The Center for Spiritual Living brings that same community spirit indoors. It welcomes events of every kind and every background, and your gala does not need to be spiritual in any way. See the organizations it already works with on its community partners page.
Also planning nearby? Read our guides to an event venue near Sunrise, event space near Lauderhill and a venue near Lauderdale Lakes, or the complete Broward County venue guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the venue from Plantation?
The Center for Spiritual Living at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park is about 10.0 miles from central Plantation, typically about 17 minutes by car. The usual route takes Sunrise Boulevard to I-95 north, then Commercial Boulevard east. Times are typical estimates and traffic varies.
Can the venue host a nonprofit gala or fundraiser?
Yes. Fundraisers and non-profit organization events are among the events the venue welcomes. A typical setup uses the Welcome Lobby for a cocktail hour of up to 200 and the Main Auditorium for a seated dinner of up to 110.
How many guests can the Center for Spiritual Living hold?
The Main Auditorium seats up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner. The Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style, and the Multipurpose Room holds 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style or 40 conference-style.
Do we have to be members or share CSL’s beliefs to rent the space?
The venue hosts many kinds of events, from banquets and conferences to fundraisers and weddings, as well as religious and spiritual gatherings. For the rental policies that apply to your organization, call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868.
How do you get a free venue for an event?
Free space usually comes through in-kind sponsorship, where a business or partner donates a room in exchange for recognition, or through a board member’s organization. For a full-service room with furniture, a kitchen and AV, ask the venue directly about availability and pricing. At the Center for Spiritual Living, quotes come from Jim Wood at 954-566-2868.
What are some good event venues in Broward County, Florida?
A good venue fits your seated dinner count, has enough on-site parking, and supports your program with sound and projection. In central Broward, the Center for Spiritual Living in Oakland Park offers a 110-seat dinner setup, a 200-guest lobby, a professional AV booth and parking for 150 vehicles.
Is there Wi-Fi for presenters and guests?
Yes. Password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi is available, which helps with mobile bidding and check-in. Presenters using slides or video should coordinate with the Center’s booth team.
How do I get a rental quote and check dates?
Pricing is by inquiry. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote, or reach out through the contact page.
Ready to walk the room with your gala committee? Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 to schedule a tour, or send us your event details. You can also review the Oakland Park venue’s spaces before you call.
