Benefits Washington 2019

Up from #2
The Washington National Opera ended its 2018-2019 season with its annual benefit, hosted this year by Tony winner Christine Ebersole. The gala is the organization’s largest fund-raiser, boasting more than 400 attendees across all aspects of the evening, and raising more than $1 million for the organization’s artistic, education, and community engagement programs. A pre-reception on the terrace of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and following performance comprise the main portion of the evening. Some guests then make their way to various cultural embassies for exclusive post-performance dinners hosted by ambassadors and foreign dignitaries. Next: May/June 2020

Up from #3
Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the ball has raised more than $65 million since 1988. The 32nd annual event, held in March at the Marriott Marquis, contributed $3.2 million to the fund-raising total. Musical group O.A.R. and comedian Kathleen Madigan entertained guests, who participated in a silent auction and Mercedes-Benz drawing. Next: March 21, 2020

Up from #5
One of the most historic benefits in Washington, the Meridian Ball celebrated its 51st year with its most successful event to date, raising $1.5 million for the Meridian Cultural Center, a nonprofit diplomacy center. Former House speaker Paul Ryan, Senator Joe Manchin (Democrat of West Virginia.) and Senator Roy Blunt (Republican of Missouri) were among the many dignitaries present in the crowd of 850 guests. Pre-dinner festivities took place across 35 embassies, as well as the historic White-Meyer House, which were followed by a reception for all at the Meridian House. Next: October 23, 2020

More than $1.5 million was raised at the 25th annual gala, held at the National Building Museum. Senator Bill Cassidy (Republican of Louisiana) and Senator Mazie Hirono (Democrat of Hawaii) were honored as cancer champions, and honorary Congressional co-chairs came from both parties. Next: May 14, 2020

Up from #6
The primary fund-raiser for the organization, the event has become the largest nonpolitical event in Washington, D.C. The theme of the 2019 gala, which marked the 32nd year of the benefit, was “Developing Minds… Delivering Dreams.” More than 1,600 guests, including 400 students from historically black colleges and universities, attended the gala, held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. Next: October 2020

Up from #8
Actor Forest Whitaker and philanthropists Patrick G. Ryan and Shirley W. Ryan were honored with the Award for the Human Spirit for their contributions to society and art at the 2019 benefit. After the ceremony and dinner concluded, Broadway legend and Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel serenaded guests with renditions of her most beloved hits, from hit musicals such as Rent and Wicked. Next: Spring 2020

Up from #8
CNN’s Wolf Blitzer once again served as master of ceremonies for the ball, which raised more than $1.2 million for the National Mall’s restoration projects. Businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein honored Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and the late Representative John Dingell with the “History, Heroes, and Hope Award” for their efforts to protect public land while holding office. Walmart President and C.E.O. Doug McMillon, delivered remarks to the more than 700 attendees as the keynote speaker. Next: May 7, 2020

Up from #9
More than 850 guests came to the Anthem, the District Wharf’s premier music venue, for the 13th annual Children’s Ball, which raised more than $3 million for Children’s National medical center. Additionally, a surprise $30 million grant from the United Arab Emirates to support the upcoming Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus stole the show. Carrie and David Marriott were honored for their longtime commitment to D.C.’s children’s hospital. Next: April 18, 2020

Up from #10
In collaboration with the Embassy of Singapore, the 2019 Wolf Trap Ball raised a record amount of money for the Wolf Trap Foundation's arts and education programs: $1.73 million. Singapore Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri and Gouri Mirpuri served as honorary hosts for the evening, with decor inspired by the country's culture. Next: September 2020
See more: What You Might Have Missed from the 2019 Summer Benefit Season

Up from #11
The collection’s 2019 edition of their annual gala paid homage to the art and culture of Mexico. In partnership with the Embassy of Mexico, the gala honored artists Jose Dávila, Aliza Nisenbaum, and Bosco Sodi; chef Pati Jinich; and Congressional honorees Joaquin Castro (Democrat of Texas) and William Hurd (Republican of Texas). A younger crowd of about 500 guests attended a contemporary bash held at Dock5 in the Union Market District to conclude the evening’s festivities. Next: May 15, 2020

Up from #23
The drinks started flowing early at the 2019 Chance for Life gala, where a Texas Hold ’Em-style poker tournament started around noon with more than 700 players vying for the grand prize of $10,000 and a seat at the World Series of Poker tournament in Las Vegas. The charity event, which raises money for research on pediatric cancer with the proceeds going to Children’s National Health System and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, brought in R&B star Robin Thicke to entertain the masses at a reception following the tasting experience, which featured local restaurants such as Maketto and the Salt Line. Overall, 2,000 guests helped raise $2.3 million. Next: February 22, 2020

The gala, held in May at the Anthem, invited guests to a cocktail reception, dinner, and performance, followed by a dancing after-party. The event raised $850,000 for the Washington Ballet’s education and community engagement programs. NBC4 Morning News Anchor Eun Yang emceed the gala, which was attended by luminaries such as the ambassadors of Brazil, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, and Monaco, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities chairwoman Kay Kendall, and former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Next: May 8, 2020

The 2019 gala theme, “Sizzle and Swing,” paid tribute to decades past, and the musical stylings of Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie were the sounds of the evening. Lyn and Barry Chasen and Tom Gallagher and Barbara Myers co-chaired the evening, which featured vocalists Veronica Swift and Stephen Scott Wormley, among other performers. Next: March 14, 2020

The Shakespeare Theatre company saw its most successful gala to date with its 2019 iteration, “A Journey Through Neverland,” which raised over $1.15 million for the organization. The organization also announced a change in leadership, introducing new artistic director Simon Godin. Many were honored throughout the evening, including Democratic Senator Chris Coons and Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, both of whom received the company’s Arts on the Hill Award. Next: Fall 2020

Congressman Steny Hoyer (Democrat of Maryland), actress Taraji P. Henson, and star ballerina and Boys & Girls Club alumna Misty Copeland were among the V.I.P.s present for the gala at the National Building Museum. Sabrina McFarland from San Francisco was named the 2019 National Youth of the Year, the organization’s highest honor, during the celebration, and was awarded $100,000 in scholarship money. Next: October 6, 2020

The gala, held in 2019 at the Ritz-Carlton, benefits survivors of domestic violence. Consisting of a silent auction, dinner and gala, and after-party, the event is an all-night fund-raising affair. Tony Porter, an author, educator, and activist focused on ending violence against women, served as the honoree and speaker. Next: November 12, 2020

Up from #18
Members of Congress are pitted together during this cooking showdown which doubles as a fund-raiser for March of Dimes to support maternal and infant health through research, education, vaccines, advocacy, and community services. In 2019, 43 lawmakers tested their culinary skills, whipping up their best hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beverages. The gala, attended by 711 guests, had a record-breaking 110 sponsors and raised nearly $1.4 million. Next: May 13, 2020

Up from #19
In February, the dance company celebrated its 20th anniversary gala and kicked off its annual weeklong stint at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Co-chairs for the event included Lyndon K. Boozer, Sela Thompson Collins, DeDe Lea, Ruth and Arne Sorenson, and Yelberton R. Watkins. Dinner and dancing followed preview performances of Rennie Harris’ "Lazarus" and Alvin Ailey’s "Revelations." Next: February 4, 2020

More than 2,000 people of Italian descent took to the Omni Shoreham Hotel in November for a weekend of celebration. For its 44th year, the gala honored the Molise region of Italy with all things native to the area, from wines to local dishes. Italian Ambassador Armando Varricchio, Italian Minister of Regional Affairs Francesco Boccia, and Molise President Donato Toma were among the featured speakers. Next: Fall 2020

Up from #21
Susan Pompeo, wife of Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, and Jill Cooper Udall, wife of New Mexico Senator Tom Udall, served as co-chairs for the annual event held at the Anthem. Other V.I.P.s in attendance included Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Benjamin Carson, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, among others. The 41st ball raised more than $500,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Next: September 30, 2020

Up from #22
More than 1,400 guests—about 400 of whom were furry and four-legged—gathered at the Washington Hilton for this year’s Bark Ball. The event raised over $686,000 for the Humane Rescue Alliance, $168,000 of which came from a live auction that included tickets to see the Washington Nationals in the World Series. Among noteworthy attendees were former Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole, and Roberta McCain, mother of the late Senator John McCain. Next: Fall 2020

New to the list
The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens gala debuted a new theme in 2019: the Black & White Gala, an ode to the estate’s new exhibit, "Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisenstaedt," which showcases black and white shots from the famed photographer. The event, which drew nearly 400 guests, raised a record $460,400, with proceeds supporting the art museum, which was once the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post. Next: June 2, 2020

The Metro D.C. Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raised $160,000 at its annual gala, which drew 225 guests to the Conrad Washington hotel in November. The chapter awarded the Hitchcock Humanitarian Award, named in honor of famed filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock’s great-granddaughter Melissa, who died of cystic fibrosis at age 24, to Preston W. Campbell III, the foundation's president and C.E.O., who announced plans to retire at the end of the year. Next: November 2020