#1 Benefit
Raising a record $4.7 million, the benefit for Fight for Children once again staged live matches with boxers from the World Boxing Council as well as other entertainment in front of about 2,000 guests at the Washington Hilton. The event has continued its partnership with Under Armour as the presenting sponsor and created a new top tier for other top sponsors. After the event, guests headed to the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. for the traditional after-party with guests of the anti-domestic violence gala benefiting Knock Out Abuse. Next: November 5, 2015
#2 Benefit
The gala, a staple for Washington’s social scene that regularly attracts some 500 guests including notables such as U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, this year moved to the German ambassador’s residence. The event raised about $700,000 for the Washington National Opera. Next: Spring 2016
#3 Benefit
By rethinking its sponsorship strategy, the benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society surpassed its fund-raising goal with a total of $3.13 million. The event, which took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, featured entertainment from Howie Mandel and raffled off a new Mercedes. Next: March 12, 2016
#4 Benefit
Artists Cheyenne Jackson, Wayne Brady, Paquito D'Rivera, and Megan Hilty were among those who performed at the gala, which had a theme of “It Don't Mean a Thing ... A Celebration of Swing.” In addition to the gala performance, the evening included a cocktail reception, dinner, and after-party on the center’s roof terrace. The event raised nearly $2 million. Next: April 10, 2016
#5 Benefit
Organizers rebranded the fall gala, formerly called the Breath of Life Gala, and will move the event to a new venue, the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Scott Pelley, anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, will return as M.C. In 2014, the event drew 600 guests and raised $2.6 million. Next: November 1, 2015
#6 Benefit
The organization’s 21st annual gala welcomed more than 900 guests to the National Building Museum and raised $1.6 million. The event had a theme of Ireland in honor of its honorary patron, Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson. Next: March 11, 2016
#7 Benefit
The black-tie benefit, now in its 16th year, returned to the National Building Museum and had a theme of “Smoke & Mirrors: the Art of Illusion.” Singer Eric Benét performed at the event, which drew 450 guests. Organizers choose new beneficiaries each year—in 2015 they selected Best Buddies and Yellow Ribbon Fund—and raised $300,000. Next: October 22, 2016
#8 Benefit (new to the list)
The signature gala for the Children's National Health System will celebrate its 10th year in 2016, capping a decade of raising money and awareness for the institution. The event achieved an impressive $10.7 million in 2014, making it one of the city’s largest fund-raisers ever thanks to co-chairs Ambassador and Abeer Al Otaiba and Amy and Bret Baier and major sponsorships. It retained many of those relationships and followed up with a $4.2 million total this year at a “Secret Garden”-theme event for 900 guests at the National Building Museum. Next: April 15, 2016
#9 Benefit (new to the list)
Long held in New York, the gala moved to Washington and is in its fourth year in the city. In a new partnership, Apple is the lead sponsor of the event, and the staging and decor will incorporate technology. Preston Bailey is designing the 1,500-person event, now in its 27th year, and ABC’s Robin Roberts will host. In 2014 the gala raised $4.1 million, and this year the goal is $5 million. Proceeds go toward scholarships, internships, and a leadership institute for 400 students that takes place in the days preceding the gala. Next: November 16, 2015
#10 Benefit
The luncheon took place in the trust’s first priority for rehabilitation: Constitution Gardens, the 38-acre site that connects the World War II and Vietnam Veterans memorials. There, about 1,000 guests gathered and together raised more than $1.3 million for the trust’s Campaign for the National Mall. The keynote speaker was Sheila C. Johnson, co-founder of BET, C.E.O. of Salamander Hotel and Resorts, and vice chairwoman of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. Next: April 28, 2016
#11 Benefit
The organization celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and had a fund-raising goal of $1.4 million. The event took place at a new venue, the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, and honorees included singer Connie Francis and Sergio Marchionne, C.E.O. of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Next: October 2016
#12 Benefit
The gala moved to a new location, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, this year to accommodate its 1,000 guests. The event pays tribute to members of the military and will have entertainment from Michael W. Smith. Event sponsors include Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. In 2014, the gala raised $1.47 million. Next: October 20, 2015
#13 Benefit
The Meridian International Center gathers guests, desserts, and dancing following the White-Meyer Dinner or dinners hosted at an ambassador’s residence. The event is pitched as offering A-list networking and typically delivers with a crowd that includes cabinet secretaries, corporate leaders, and members of Congress. The top corporate sponsor at this year’s 47th annual ball was the Coca-Cola Company. Next: October 2016
#14 Benefit
Dubbed the Swan Ball in honor of the ballet’s performance of Swan Lake, the gala met at the residence of the German ambassador. Ballet performances took place in a tent behind the home’s reflecting pool, and decor included live birds in cages hung from trees. The event raised more than $600,000. Next: Spring 2016
#15 Benefit
Rebranding and reinventing its after-party helped reinvigorate the museum’s benefit and achieve a record $1 million fund-raising total. Proceeds from the gala and Contemporaries Bash after-party support the museum’s arts education programming. Next: May 13, 2016
#16 Benefit
The event celebrated a milestone year with its 60th annual ball, pulling off an event after some observers questioned whether it would continue following a controversial sale of the museum and its college of art and design by George Washington University. The event continued its tradition of fresh, springtime decor, but it scaled back its guest list from 780 people to 300 as well as its fund-raising to about $250,000. Next: Spring 2016
#17 Benefit
The benefit features a constant flow of entertainment—from African drumming and dance and a Chinese dragon performance during the opening reception to the organization’s own Children of the Gospel Choir and numerous other acts that reflected multiple cultures and performances styles. The evening drew 550 guests, many of whom participated in a boisterous live auction. The event raised $950,000. Next: March 5, 2016
#18 Benefit
The Shakespeare Theatre Company honored actors John Hurt, Stacy Keach, and Diana Rigg with its William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre at its 2014 gala. Judith Light served as M.C. Each year the event includes a performance in Sidney Harman Hall followed by dinner and dancing at the National Building Museum. Last year it raised more than $1 million. Next: November 1, 2015
#19 Benefit
With decor evoking modern and historic Italy—a nod to the ball’s partnership with the Embassy of Italy—the ball celebrated the end of the performing arts foundation’s season. More than 800 guests attended the event, which raised a record $1.2 million for the organization’s national arts and education programs. Next: Fall 2016
#20 Benefit (new to the list)
Honorary chairman Denzel Washington—a national spokesman for the organization—was on hand at the 68th annual edition of the awards, which honor inspiring youth from across the country. Disney was the presenting sponsor for this year’s event, which was held at the National Building Museum and also featured actress Sherri Shepherd as M.C. and singer Kelly Rowland and outgoing House Speaker John Boehner. Next: Fall 2016
#21 Benefit
The bipartisan food-theme event features United States senators and representatives and their spouses to create dishes served to guests gathered at the National Building Museum. Professional chefs then judge the results and award honors in several categories. The event marked its 33rd year in 2015 and raised more than $880,000. Next: May 17, 2016
#22 Benefit
The 16th annual benefit began with a performance in the Opera House of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts followed by dinner and dancing on the center’s Terrace Level. The event raised more than $790,000 to support Ailey’s Washington programs, and a record 20 scholarships with housing stipends were awarded to talented local dance students to attend the Ailey School in New York. Attendance was 675 guests. Next: February 2, 2016
#23 Benefit
Hosted by the National MS Society, Greater D.C.-Maryland chapter, the 37th annual ball featured Senator John McCain as one of its speakers and had a video welcome from former President Bill Clinton. The black-tie event also chose a new venue this year, the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. Next: Fall 2016
#24 Benefit
The hospital raised more than $910,000 at its gala in 2014, which drew more than 325 guests to the Four Seasons Hotel. Next year will mark the event’s 15th anniversary. Next: Fall 2016
#25 Benefit
The pet-friendly fund-raiser invites its 1,000 guests and 500 dogs to dress in black tie. It raised $615,000. Next: June 11, 2016
#26 Benefit
The local chapter’s largest fund-raising event honors men, women, and families in the military as well as people involved in emergency preparation and response. In 2014, the event raised almost $500,000 and drew about 450 guests. This year’s gala will recognize U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter as its Lifetime of Service Honoree, and J.R. Martinez will serve as M.C. Next: November 20, 2015
