Southern California's Top 100 Events 2012 - Benefits

#1 Benefit
The year the Carousel of Hope Ball will honor George Clooney at the Beverly Hilton. Founded by Barbara and the late Marvin Davis in 1977, this event, held every two years, has raised $75 million for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes since its inception with help from corporate sponsors and entertainment industry partners. Next: October 20, 2012

#2 Benefit
Co-chaired by Nancy Davis and Tommy Hilfiger, Race to Erase MS raises big money for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis and its Center Without Walls program. The 2012 theme was glam rock, and the event took to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza and raised $1.8 million. Next: May 3, 2013

#3 Benefit
The California Science Center’s Discovery Ball celebrated its 14th go with a Cleopatra theme, offering a sneak peek of the exhibition surrounding the Egyptian pharaoh’s life. Christina Sion heads up the detail-minded event annually. Next: March 9, 2013

#5 Benefit
The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s An Unforgettable Evening benefits the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, and is typically held in Beverly Hills in February. The 15th annual event took place on April 18, 2012 to accommodate the schedules of honorary chairs Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, and Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg. Next: February 2013

#6 Benefit
A celebrity-studded, 11-year-old benefit for the homelessness support organization, the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball takes place at a luxe private estate. Seth MacFarlane hosted this year’s program. Next: June 2013

#7 Benefit
Begun in 1977, the Women in Film’s Crystal & Lucy Awards acknowledge women in a male-dominated environment at a celebrity-heavy annual award show and fund-raiser. Christina Applegate and Viola Davis were among the 2012 honorees at the Beverly Hilton. Next: June 2013

#8 Benefit (up from #9)
This year Concern Foundation’s Block Party took to the Studios at Paramount, honoring the 60th anniversary of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and honoring Alan Freed. The event draws more than 3,500 and raises about $1.5 million. Next: July 2013

#9 Benefit
Los Angeles Opera season-opening celebration will have an alfresco setting on Music Center Plaza, with an accompanying performance of Two Foscari starring Plácido Domingo and conducted by James Conlon. Next: September 15, 2012

#10 Benefit
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s Dinosaur Ball is the museum’s black-tie biannual fund-raiser. In 2011, it was tied to the opening of the new, permanent Dinosaur Hall, which has the most species of dinosaurs on display anywhere in the country. The 2013 ball will mark the centennial of the museum. Next: June 8, 2013

#11 Benefit
Elizabeth Glaser’s Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s A Time for Heroes celebrity picnic event has raised more than $33 million since it began in 1990. It draws about 1,000 for arts and crafts, carnival games, music, and food. Next: June 2013

#12 Benefit (new to the list)
Concours D'Elegance at Greystone Mansion, which the City of Beverly Hills hosts as a fund-raiser for the former Doheny family venue, is a high-end auto show in its third year and has fast become one of the region’s most anticipated—and exclusive, with tickets limited to 3,000—auto events. Next: May 5, 2013

#13 Benefit
What started as a mixer for 50 people at Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete’s home has grown to include a reception, fashion show, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. This year at the HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare Benefit Natalie Cole performed, led by music director Rickey Minor. Next: July, 2013

#14 Benefit
A black-tie gala that honors writers for adapting books into film, the U.S.C. Libraries Scripter Award gala doled out awards to author Kaui Hart Hemmings and screenwriters Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash for their contributions to The Descendants. Next: February 2013

#15 Benefit
This year the Fulfillment Fund’s Stars Benefit Gala at the Beverly Hilton will honor Paramount Pictures’ vice chairman Rob Moore. The event includes cocktails, dinner, and entertainment. Next: October 24, 2012

#16 Benefit
Backstage at the Geffen recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising awareness of the Geffen Playhouse’s education and outreach programs. Most recently, it honored Jim Gianopulos and Carol Burnett. Next: May 2013

#17 Benefit
Art of Elysium’s Heaven gala is held annually on Golden Globes weekend and this year took over downtown’s historic Union Station. Next year designer Colleen Atwood will be presented with the Visionary honor. Next: January 12, 2013

#18 Benefit
The Los Angeles Urban League Whitney M. Young. Jr. awards dinner, which in 2011 marked the organization’s 90th anniversary, is the group’s signature event, attracting more than 1,400 attendees. Next: April 2013

#19 Benefit
In March Keep a Child Alive acquired the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation’s fund-raising events, including Dream Halloween. The family-friendly affair with treats for kids, arts and crafts activities, and face painting also offers a sponsor reception, food from L.A. eateries, stage shows, and live and silent auctions at Barker Hangar. Next: October 27, 2012