It was a lovely gathering and a wonderful reminder of what an incredible place we get to live and call home.
– Gala of Gratitude attendee
Join the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin for an evening of camaraderie, collective giving, and celebration of our community working together in the spirit of gratitude. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of our Keystone Endowment Fund and its vital role in uplifting our region and ensuring the Community Foundation can serve Central Wisconsin for generations to come.
Enjoy meaningful moments throughout the evening, including the recognition Louis Wysocki as the Keystone Awardees, the VIP Cocktail Hour, live auction items, and much more as we celebrate the heart and strength of our community together.
Evening Schedule
- 4:00 PM VIP Cocktail Hour at The Inn at SentryWorld – Exclusive opportunity
- 5:00 PM Cocktails and Mocktails with hand-passed hors d’oeuvres
- 6:30 PM Dinner
- 7:30 PM Program with Live Item Auction and Live Giving Experience
It is a fantastic event bringing people from a variety of areas within the community for a night of philanthropy and networking.
– Gala of Gratitude attendee
About the Keystone Endowment Fund
The Keystone Endowment Fund is an operational endowment fund dedicated to sustaining the long-term strength and impact of the Community Foundation. Sharing about the Keystone Fund celebrates our commitment to enhancing community leadership, fostering philanthropic goals, and building a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come. By raising funds for the Keystone Endowment, we are investing in the Community Foundation’s ability to respond to emerging needs, lead with vision, and continue making our community the best place to live, work, and thrive.
Getting Ready for the Gala
Whether it’s your first time or you need a refresher, here’s what to expect:
Getting There: Ample parking is available at SentryWorld. Once inside, our staff and board will be on hand to welcome you. You’ll receive a name tag with your dinner choice, table number, and paddle number for Live Giving.
Dress Code: Dress in your “Wisconsin Nice” style—whether that means your best shirt and pants or a stunning evening gown and tuxedo jacket—we want you to wear what feels comfortable.
Giving Opportunities: Enjoy the evening with no obligation to donate. If you feel inspired, you can give discreetly with a pledge card or join in the excitement of our cork-pull, live artistry, and Live Giving events.
Live Giving Experience: Engage with the dynamic atmosphere of our gala through our Live Giving segment. Each guest will receive a unique paddle number linked to their seat. We kindly request you remain in your designated seat, which is personalized with materials for you.
When you’re ready to donate, simply raise your paddle to participate. We’ll warm up with some generous volunteers to demonstrate the process. The formal giving program will provide giving opportunities between $100 to $10,000. Whether you choose to contribute once or multiple times, the energy of our philanthropic community will make it an exciting part of your evening.
Live Music: Enjoy the evening with music by Lumonicity; a jazz-based saxophone and piano duo from Central Wisconsin. Expect the duo to play a mixture of original music, classic jazz standards, and their favorite cover songs.
Magician: Experience the joy of magic! This elevated experience provides a fun and dynamic opportunity with James David.
Lodging Opportunity: The Inn at SentryWorld is a charming boutique hotel right next to where the Gala of Gratitude is hosted. Please call 715-295-7301 and reference the Gala of Gratitude to get the $279 room block rate.
New Additions This Year
Community Impact Table: Includes 8 tickets, 8 VIP cocktail hour tickets, recognition in the program, two special bottles of champagne, and a $350 donation to the Keystone Endowment Fund.
VIP Cocktail Hour: Limited tickets available for this first-time VIP exclusive opportunity. Tickets include a drink at Muse, an exclusive auction item, and light hors d’oeuvres. This section of the evening is hosted by Quyen and Michael Hom and Tina and Don Peters.
Live Auction Items: We’re excited to introduce a brand-new feature to this year’s event, a Live Auction led by a professional auctioneer, Bryan Mergen! This high-energy segment will kick off the evening’s main program, featuring a curated selection of exclusive items and experiences available for real-time bidding.
Food and Drink: Enjoy hand-passed hors d’oeuvres, and make sure to order a signature cocktail (non-alcoholic options also available) during the mingling portion of the evening. A special plated dinner will give you an opportunity for engaging conversations with others around your table. After the program, stick around for more drinks or grab a delightful treat from Sweet Juanjo’s to cap off the night.
Very inspiring! And. So. Much. Fun.
– Gala of Gratitude attendee
Have Questions? Contact us at marlee@cfcwi.org. Remember to register early, as tickets sell out quickly every year!
Partners
We love our community partners and value their role in making all of this come to life:
Local photographers with Rachel Jensen Photography will document candid moments throughout the event. NAME OF PHOTOGRAPHER will be capturing the fireplace portraits as you walk into SentryWorld.
Lumonicity, a jazz-based saxophone and piano duo, will play original music, jazz standards, and some of your favorite covers throughout the evening.
Sponsorships
Your generous sponsorship can make a significant impact in helping us reach our goal of raising $150,000. Your support will contribute to the growth of our Keystone Fund. We invite you to explore our sponsorship tiers, which offer a variety of options to fit your commitment. Your support can make a lasting difference.
Explore sponsorship opportunities here (LINK) and reach out to Marlee Samuels at marlee@cfcwi.org or 715-342-4454 for more information.