New York's Top 100 Events 2015 - Benefits
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit
#1 Benefit
The annual benefit for the Met’s Costume Institute is no ordinary fund-raiser. A-listers from the fashion and entertainment worlds turned out to walk the red carpet for last year’s tribute to couturier Charles James. The upcoming theme is based on the spring exhibition, “China: Through the Looking Glass,” and the event will bring together an eclectic list of co-chairs along with honorary chair Silas Chou: Jennifer Lawrence, Gong Li, Marissa Mayer, Wendi Murdoch, and Anna Wintour. Next: May 4, 2015
2. Robin Hood Foundation Benefit
#2 Benefit
New York’s top executives are always among the 4,000 guests at the high-end, high-concept benefit at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Last year, former NBC News anchor Brian Williams hosted, and Grammy winner Bruno Mars headlined the entertainment. The blockbuster event raised $60 million, including $35 million for the new Robin Hood American Dream Fund, which supports nonprofits that assist immigrants. Next: May 12, 2015
3. Museum of Modern Art's Party in the Garden
#3 Benefit
The elite in entertainment and art mingle with New York high society at the benefit held in MoMA’s sculpture garden, which honored Daniel Craig, Steve McQueen, and Maja Oeri last year. Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li performed with a full band for the after-party. Next: June 2, 2015
4. Whitney Museum of American Art Fall Gala
#4 Benefit
The annual event brought in $4.3 million for the museum last year, when 620 guests gathered at the Whitney’s Breuer Building on the Upper East Side for the final time before the museum’s relocation downtown to the meatpacking district this year. Next: Fall 2015
5. American Ballet Theatre's Spring Gala
#5 Benefit
Some 1,200 celebrities and society figures will gather under the Tent at Lincoln Center for the classical ballet company’s 75th anniversary gala this spring. Performances, guest speakers, and film excerpts will pay tribute to the theater’s legacy. Next: May 18, 2015
6. Metropolitan Opera's Opening Night Gala
#6 Benefit
In a season kickoff marked by protests, last year’s performance of Le Nozze di Figaro was enjoyed by guests at Lincoln Center’s plaza as well as fans watching on a Times Square simulcast. Next: September 21, 2015
7. Friends of the High Line Benefit
#7 Benefit (up from #8)
Buzz continues to build about the 900-guest fund-raiser for the increasingly high-profile High Line park. Last year’s presenters included Cynthia Nixon and Darren Walker; Susan Sarandon is among the honorees for this year’s event, which takes place at Pier 36 on the East River. Next: May 20, 2015
8. New York Public Library's Library Lions Benefit
#8 Benefit
Last year, the annual gala to benefit the library honored literary notables Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers, Kazuo Ishiguro, Robert B. Silvers, and actress and academic Anna Deavere Smith. Next: November 2, 2015
9. Amfar New York Gala
#9 Benefit (up from #11)
The unofficial kickoff to Fashion Week draws 700 guests to Cipriani Wall Street. The entertainment and fashion insiders who attend have collectively raised $15 million for AIDS research. Next: February 2016
10. Central Park Conservancy's Frederick Law Olmsted Award Luncheon
#10 Benefit
The daytime gathering of some 1,300 of New York’s high society—and nearly as many fanciful hats—raised $3.5 million for Central Park last year, and paid honors to outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Next: May 6, 2015
11. Frick Collection's Young Fellows Ball
#11 Benefit
With a “celestial” theme inspired by art depicting celestial and mythological themes, the popular event drew 600 young socialites in 2014. Fashion house Paule Ka sponsored, and DJ Jason Fioto spun for the revelers. Next: March 26, 2015
12. Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Spring Ball
#12 Benefit
Now in its eighth year, the annual fund-raiser will take place at the Pierre Hotel. More than 400 guests came to the Waldorf Astoria for the event last year, which raised $1.3 million for the society. Next: May 12, 2015
13. New York Botanical Garden's Conservatory Ball
#13 Benefit
Sponsored and chaired by designer Caroline Herrera, this spring’s annual fund-raiser will take its inspiration from an upcoming exhibition on Frida Kahlo. The 650 guests will spend the evening in the gardens and conservatory and under tents on the Botanical Gardens’ 250 acres. Next: June 4, 2015
14. Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation's Collaborating for a Cure Gala
#14 Benefit
More than 750 guests came together at Cipriani Wall Street to honor Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs, listen to a performance by Ziggy Marley, and raise $2.5 million at the evening’s live auction. Next: November 2015
15. Unicef Snowflake Ball
#15 Benefit (up from #16)
One of the holiday season’s biggest fund-raisers, the ball raised a whopping $3.4 million in 2014—on top of the $18 million raised in the previous decade. Now in its 11th year, the ball will host 700 guests Cipriani Wall Street again. Next: December 1, 2015
16. Keep a Child Alive's Black Ball
#16 Benefit
Last year, the benefit featured performances by co-founder Alicia Keys, David Byrne, Nas, and Angel Haze, and raised $2.3 million to fight AIDS. This year’s fund-raiser will once again take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Next: Fall 2015
17. New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala
#17 Benefit
Raising $1.2 million annually to support New York City kids in foster care, the benefit will bring 750 guests to Cipriani 42nd Street to honor Steve Pemberton, chief diversity officer at Walgreens/Duane Reade, in 2015. Next: September 16, 2015
