The resignation of a Seattle arts group’s chief executive has brought a fund-raising debate to the forefront: Are flashy fund-raising events worth all the trouble and money?

For about five years, Gordon Hamilton was director of the group Poncho, a Seattle organization that raises money for cultural projects, reports The Seattle Times.

He resigned last week after being criticized for relying too heavily on major events to bring in donations. The organization’s fund-raising total dropped 10 percent in the past fiscal year, after Poncho’s annual gala failed to raise more money than it cost, according to the organization’s board chairman, Janet True.

Officials at Poncho are considering replacing the annual gala with a smaller, less costly event in years to come.

Mr. Hamilton said he was proud of the work he had done at the organization but that it was time for a change.