#1 Benefit
More than 1,500 art and party lovers are expected at the 15th annual Power Ball, staged as always at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery on the waterfront. This year’s theme is Old/New World and the presenting sponsor is Hugo Boss. Next: June 5, 2014
#2 Benefit
Last year’s gala raised $1.1 million for kids with disabilities—a 10 percent increase over 2012. This year’s event has a British theme and is expected to draw a crowd of about 1,400 to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre; sponsors include Jaguar and Land Rover. Next: November 8, 2014
#3 Benefit
More than 750 design-minded philanthropists attended the design museum's big event in 2013, where key sponsors included Flare magazine, the Four Seasons Hotel, and Porter Airlines. Next: November 7, 2014
#4 Benefit
Last year Goldie Hawn and Kiefer Sutherland were on hand for the 10th annual private-dining event, hosted by top philanthropists in their own homes. The 2013 festival raised more than $5 million. Presenting sponsor for 2014 is Rogers. Next: November 1, 2014
#5 Benefit
Viva Italia is the theme for this year’s gala soiree, and patron sponsors include CIBC and IT services provider CGI. Last year’s event was the most successful to date, raising $2 million for the Children’s Aid Foundation. Next: November 1, 2014
#6 Benefit (up from #9)
For its 10th anniversary, the feasting fund-raiser will return to its new downtown location—Daniels Spectrum. The event’s 500 guests raised $280,000 in 2013, but organizers hope to top that in 2014. Next: November 5, 2014
#7 Benefit (up from #10)
The Art Gallery of Ontario’s signature party sold out in 2014 with almost 1,900 patrons drinking, dancing, and viewing bold, modern art. The event raised more than $300,000, and the lead sponsor was TD Bank. Next: April 2014
#8 Benefit (up from #12)
More than 1,000 music lovers attended the 10th anniversary of Operanation, hosted by the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in 2013. The sold-out rock-pop-opera mash-up raised more than $130,000. Next: October 16, 2014
#9 Benefit (up from #13)
Supporting Second Harvest and sponsored by Daniels, Toronto Taste moves to Corus Quay in 2014. About 1,000 guests will sample fare from celebrity chefs at more than 70 food and beverage stations. Last year more than $600,000 was raised. Next: June 8, 2014
#10 Benefit (up from #11)
The fund-raiser for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation returns to its larger format in 2014: 500 guests will enjoy a casino and cabaret night at Casa Loma. Last year $1 million was raised and matched by the foundation. Next: May 28, 2014
#11 Benefit (up from #14)
The young philanthropists behind Rethink Breast Cancer’s Boobyball raised $225,000 in 2013—surpassing their goal—with 1,500 attendees at the collegiate-theme party. Next: October 17, 2014
#12 Benefit
China’s Forbidden City was the theme for this year’s prom, where $85,000 was raised and the sold-out crowd of 1,000 young guests was encouraged to dress the part. Gold sponsors included Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Stila Cosmetics. Next: March 2015
#13 Benefit (up from #15)
Rally racers and philanthropists raised more than $1 million in support of pediatric cancer research, treatment, and care in 2013. This year’s rally goes high-tech, thanks to sponsorship from Samsung, with clues and maps on tablets and social media. Next: September 19-20, 2014
#14 Benefit (up from #16)
More 500 guests dined on creations by celebrity chef Lynn Crawford and took in a spectacular show based on several featured novels at this year’s benefit, which raised $500,000. The bibliophile favorite celebrates 10 years in 2015. Next: February 5, 2015
#15 Benefit (up from #17)
The National Ballet of Canada’s Cinderella-inspired event is expected to raise $1.1 million this year. More than 2,000 patrons will enjoy a CIBC-sponsored performance and cocktail reception at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Next: June 11, 2014
#16 Benefit (up from #18)
The 2013 ball, sponsored by LG, raised $590,000 for the Science Centre’s community access programs. Eco-tourism leader Bruce Poon Tip and architect Raymond Moriyama were honored with the second annual Innovator Awards. Next: Fall 2014
#17 Benefit (up from #19)
More than 20 boutiques, museums, and galleries invite top culinary masters to transform their spaces into dining venues in support of H.I.V. and AIDS research. More than 750 people attended in 2013. Next: November 25, 2014
#18 Benefit (new to the list)
The black-and-white theme literary gala in the Distillery District, benefitting the nonprofit behind the magazine The Walrus, had its best fund-raising year to date in 2014: $443,000 from the sold-out crowd of 450 guests. Next: Winter 2015
