GALA ND/SMC, the LGBT alumni group for the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, is in the third full year of a fundraising program in support of the LGBT Student Scholarship Capital Campaign to raise $250,000 by 2020. Almost 50% of the goal has been raised so far.
The LGBT Student Scholarship Fund is to assist qualified LGBT undergraduate students of St Mary’s and Notre Dame. To-date, eight $2,500 scholarships have been awarded in 2015 – 2018. The scholarship recipients are all high character, high achievers who strive to improve the LGBT environment on the two campuses.
On Sunday November 18, 2018, GALA will be holding our Fourth Annual Benefit in NYC to raise money for the scholarship fund. Local alumni and friends will be treated to a cocktail reception as well as hear from guest speakers. In addition to the main event, a special VIP Pre-Event Reception will be held where guests can meet Notre Dame grad Phil Donahue ’57. This will be an exclusive opportunity for a limited number of guests.
The event will be held at Phil Donahue ’57 and his wife Marlo Thomas’ penthouse overlooking Central Park. Phil, in addition to being a world famous talk show host, is a member of GALA’s board.
GALA is seeking donations to support a silent and live auction at this event. Popular items at auctions include: theater tickets, restaurant gift certificates, hotel stays/vacation packages, original artwork, signed sports/entertainment memorabilia, and other unique design items. We are looking for 10-20 items to showcase at this event. Donors to the auction will be featured on the event website and acknowledged at the program.
GALA is a 501 (c)3 tax-exempt charitable organization and will provide acknowledgement of receipt of donation for accounting purposes. (Value of items donated to be provided by donor as required by IRS guidelines)
To donate an item for the auction, or for more information, contact Silent Auction Committee Chair John Flanagan ’93 at johnjflan@aol.com.