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The Crystal Charity Ball is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, comprised of 100 active volunteers. The active volunteers work on many committees such as Underwriting, Children's Book, Special Gifts, Silent Auction and Contribution Tickets. These committees are responsible for generating money to be given to the selected charities. Each January, the Charity Selection Committee conducts an intensive review of beneficiary applications and the membership determines the beneficiaries for which funds will be raised during the year. Funds are distributed in March of the following year.

The Crystal Charity Ball has evolved since its inception in 1952. In 1951, Nancy Ann Smith of Dallas was a guest at a ball in the Rainbow Room of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The success of the New York City ball benefiting children's charities inspired Nancy Ann Smith to establish a similar organization in Dallas. She and 18 women of equal interest became the founders of the Crystal Charity Ball.

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The Crystal Charity Ball began with one beneficiary, the Dallas Polio Chapter (later known as the March of Dimes). The founding members worked at their first office space, Pollard Simons' Fine Arts Gallery on Cedar Springs, to raise a total of $21,000 for their first beneficiary.

With such a successful first year, The Crystal Charity Ball benefited two organizations the following year, the National Association for Mental Health and the Children's Development Center. Within a short period of time, the Ball, held in early December, became the traditional and anticipated celebration of the year's work.

In 1984, The Crystal Charity Ball located its office in Highland Park Village and hired two full-time staff members. In 2002, The Crystal Charity Ball celebrated its 50th anniversary, commemorating this milestone with the selection of The 50th Anniversary Project. Three million dollars was raised over a multi-year period for this project to create the Children's Learning Center of The Museum of Dallas History at Old Red Courthouse. By this time the membership had increased to 369 members (43 past Ball Chairmen, 100 Active members and 226 Inactive members), the office had relocated within Highland Park Village to allow for much-needed expansion, and the office staff had increased to 4 full-time employees.