Charity events are back in Tampa Bay! Sort of. Tampa Bay-area charities and nonprofits make it easy to do good while having a good time throughout the year with fundraisers of all shapes and sizes — even if they are modified for safety’s sake. We’ve rounded up some of the top charitable events happening around the Bay over the next year on the following pages, along with how you can support local nonprofit organizations.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society has been leading the fight to end cancer for more than 100 years. The organization funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients and spreads the word about prevention.
Fundraising Event: 2021 Tampa Cattle Baron’s Ball
Date: October 9, 2021
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street
Chair: Adam Johnson-Weintraub
Honorary Chairs: Julie & Steve Weintraub
Tickets and Sponsorships: $1,000 to $50,000
Contact Info: Debbie Leon, debbie.leon@cancer.org
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The AHA has invested more than $4.5 billion in research and aims to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Event: 2021 Tampa Bay Heart Walk
Date: November 20, 2021, walk starts at 9:00am
Location: Raymond James Stadium
The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is inviting Tampa Bay back to its premier event to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the lifesaving mission. This year’s theme, Heart Walk Here, invites participants to walk on the event path or to create a path of their own — from parks and parkways to tucked away trails, participants are invited to Heart Walk at any location that inspires their heart health.
Tickets: free
Contact Info: tampabay@heart.org or www.tampabayheartwalk.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay serves more than 2,500 children in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter Counties. They connect children with mentors and give them tools to develop lifelong, purposeful relationships.
Fundraising Event: Art of Helping Children Gala
Date: September 11, 2021
Location: Hilton Tampa Downtown
Signature event began as a modest art auction and cocktail party and has evolved into a spectacular evening where 600 community and business leaders network together and are inspired as Big Brothers Big Sisters share the impact their mentoring programs have on children in the community.
Event Chair: Stephen Koch & Brian Auld
Ticket Price: Sponsorships available
Contact Info: Big Brothers Big SIsters of Tampa Bay
Amy Hollington
(813) 769-3636 amyh@bbbstampabay.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay
The Great Futures Gala raises funds to provide quality, educational programming for underserved kids, to make up for the learning loss caused by COVID-19.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay Mission Statement is “To enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.”
Fundraising Event: Great Futures Gala
Date: September 18, 2021
Location: Armature Works
Contact Info: Elisa Jackson
BGCTampa.org
Chapters Health Foundation
Foundation supports charitable care programs including hospice care for uninsured and grief centers for children, teens and adults.
Fundraising Event: Rock the Dock
Date: October 16, 2021
Location: Tampa River Center in Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
The evening will be the ultimate high energy tribute to Classic Rock N’ Roll and includes chart topping food and beverages, silent and live auctions, and entertainment performing the legendary rock anthems that once ruled the airways.
Ticket price: $150
Sponsorships: start at $1,500
Contact Info: Pauline Navarro
navarrop@chaptershealth.org
Charity Polo Classic
The Charity Polo Classic is an annual polo match that benefits a rotating group of local charities each year. The organization has raised over $1.5 million for local Tampa Bay charities since 2011.
Event: Charity Polo Classic
Date: February 26, 2022
Location: Did not provide
You won’t want to miss our biggest and best event yet, our 10th Anniversary!
Tickets: starting at $250 (includes all food and beverages), sponsorships also available
Contact info: Kelly Becker
(813) 601-1244
charitypoloclassic.com
Children’s Cancer Center
The Children’s Cancer Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving families of children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders. They have more than 24 support programs and services and have helped more than 1,000 families in the Tampa area.
Fundraising Event: 10th Annual Fall Stampede
Date: September 11th, 2021 at 8AM
Location: Amalie Arena (401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602)
Join the herd in the month of September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and walk or run for local kids and families battling pediatric cancer.
Registration: FallStampede.com
Contact Info: Marketing and Event Coordinater, Clare Fleming
cfleming@childrenscancercenter.org
Children’s Dream Fund
The Children’s Dream Fund was founded in 1981 with the single purpose of fulfilling dreams for children ages 3-21 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, and who live in West Central Florida.
Fundraising Event: 2021 Dreammaker Luncheon
Date: September 30th, 11:30am-1pm
Location: Bryan Glazer Family JCC
Chair: Michael Greene/Sara Louderback
Tickets: $150-$10,000
Contact Info: Pamela Arbisi
parbisi@childrensdreamfund.org
(727) 896-6390
Children’s Home Network
Children’s Home Network is dedicated to improving lives and changing life stories. The CHN unlocks the potential of at-risk children and families by providing compassionate and effective services that create opportunities for success
Fundraising Event: 38th Annual Golf Classic and Auction
Date: November 8
Location: Carrollwood Country Club, Tampa
Golfers are provided complimentary range balls, golfer gifts, boxed lunch, on-course beverages and a catered awards ceremony. Auction items will be available for online bidding prior to the event.
Tickets: $150 (individual) / $600 (foursome)
Contact Info: Lauren Ruiz
(813) 864-1537
LRuiz@childrenshomenetwork.org
childrenshomenetwork.org
Clothes to Kids
Clothes to Kids provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or in crisis school-age children, free of charge. They have 3 locations where Pinellas or Hillsborough County school children can “shop” for a new wardrobe twice a year.
Fundraising Event: Kick One Back
Date: October 21, 2021, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Hyde House
How can you “Kick One Back” with Clothes To Kids? By joining us for our annual shoe drive Thursday, October 21st at the Hyde House. Clothes to Kids distributes 15,000 pairs of shoes to kids in need in our community. If the shoe fits…donate it!
Tickets: $80
Contact Information: Megan DiBlasi – megand@clothestokids.org
The Dalí Museum
The museum cares for and shares an expertly curated collection of Salvador Dalí works and provides unique inspiration for events, programs and special exhibits. The Museum is also an active resource in Tampa Bay’s cultural community.
Fundraising Event: Sueños de Dalí
Held in the fall, our annual surreal soiree transforms the Museum into a dreamlike fantasy with costumes, cocktails & dancing.
Date: Saturday, October 23
8PM-11PM
Location: Dali Museum
Fundraising Event: Sueños de Dalí
Date: Saturday, October 23
Location: Dali Museum
Held in the fall, the annual surreal soiree transforms the museum into a dreamlike fantasy with costumes, cocktails and dancing.
Tickets: $150/$140 for Museum members
Contact Information: thedali.org/suenos
The Florida Holocaust Museum
The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of the milions of people who suffered or died in the Holocaust and is dedcated to teaching the inherent worth and dignity of human life to prevent future genocides.
Fundraising Event: To Life Annual Benefit for The Florida Holocaust Museum
Date: February 5, 2022
Location: The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg
The Florida Holocaust Museum’s Annual To Life Benefit supports the multi-faceted educational and outreach programs provided to students and educators, at no cost, throughout Tampa Bay, the entire state of Florida, and the country. Using the lessons of the Holocaust, The FHM encourages people to make a positive change in today’s volatile world through the promotion of acceptance, inclusion, and diversity.
Tickets: $250 and up
Contact Information: Meg Carlone, Donor Relations and Events Manager
mcarlone@TheFHM.org | 727-820-0100
Frameworks of Tampa Bay
Fundraising Event: 3rd Annual Tampa Oyster Fest
Date: December 12th, 2021
Location: TBD
All-you-can-eat oyster extravaganza for the entire family to enjoy
Chair: John Wakefield
Tickets: $75
Contact Information: dtyler@myframeworks.org
F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is an acronym for Families, Respect, Inspire, Education, Networking, Down syndrome & Special needs. The Mission of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is to provide free, all-encompassing educational and support services to families who have been impacted by Down Syndrome or other special needs, while advocating for and promoting community integration.
Fundraising Event: 6th F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk
Date: Oct. 29, 2022, 10 a.m.
Location: TBD
The event includes an Advocacy Walk and fosters a “family reunion” atmosphere. Medals and awards are given to individuals and teams. The Buddy Walk is F.R.I.E.N.D.S.’s largest fundraiser.
Tickets:
Contact Information: info@friendssupport.org
(813) 245-2782 | friendssupport.org
Heart Gallery of Tampa
The mission of the Heart Gallery of Tampa is to raise awareness of Tampa’s waiting foster children, engage the community in their welfare and secure permanent, loving adoptive families. Heart Gallery children represent those in foster care who need additional support in finding families due to factors of age, race, those part of large sibling groups, and children with special needs.
Fundraising Event: Be Mine 2022 “Oh the Places You’ll Go”
Date: February 10, 2022, 6 p.m.
Location: Palma Ceia Country Club
Be Mine is an incredible and unique event that always has a festive theme! Join the Heart Gallery of Tampa for an unforgettable Silent Auction, Photo Scenes, Food, Drinks, and inspiring program sharing stories of adoption and the power of love.
Tickets: Individual tickets – $150, VIP (limited availability, includes seating on stage during program presentation) – $250
Contact Information: https://heartgallerytampa.org/bemine/
Humane Society of Tampa Bay
For more than 100 years the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has been dedicated to ending animal homelessness and providing care and comfort for companion animals in need. Their services include adoption programs, affordable veterinary care and community outreach programs.
Fundraising Event: Tuxes & Tails
Date: October 23, 2021, 5:30PM to 11:59PM
Location: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St. Tampa, 33602
Contact Information: Ornella Varchi
(813) 876-4150 | HumaneSocietyTampa.org
The Junior League of Tampa
An organization of more than 2,000 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Fundraising Event: Holiday Gift Market
Date: November 11-14, 2021
Time: TBA
Location: Florida State Fairgrounds Expo & Entertainment Halls
The Holiday Gift Market is The Junior League of Tampa’s largest fundraiser bringing together merchants and shoppers for a unique shopping event. Attracting over 20,000 attendees every year, the Holiday Gift Market raises vital funds for our community projects and programs.
Tickets: start at $10
Contact Info: www.JLTampa.org/HGM
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medicine’s annual women’s health program A Woman’s Journey provides new and compelling information about important issues affecting women’s health. By attending A Woman’s Journey, you are supporting the Fetal Care Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
Fundraising Event: A Woman’s Journey
Date: Wed., Feb. 23, 2022
Location: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Tickets: $25. Sponsorships, premium tables and scholarships are available
Contact Info: (727) 767-4199 achfoundationevents@jhmi.edu
hopkinsallchildrens.org/awomansjourney
LAMPLighters
LAMPLighters was founded in 1986 and is an all-female volunteer organization of nearly 200 members whose mission is to support homeless and at-risk children and families in need by engaging in activities to improve their health, education and rehabilitation. All funds raised by LAMPLighters benefit children at both Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House.
Fundraising Event: Sunset Soiree on the Bay: LAMPLighters Fund Hope
Date: 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Fri., April 1
Location: Westshore Yacht Club, 6005 Beacon Shores St., Tampa
Celebrate an exquisite Tampa Bay sunset with dinner, drinks and dancing under the stars to Tampa Bay’s most lively show band, #NoFilter, all while raising money to support children in residence at both Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House. In celebration of LAMPLighters’ 35th/coral anniversary, this tropical dinner and dance party will help fund the growing need for food, shelter, educational help and therapy that Tampa’s homeless and foster children require.
Tickets: $150 per person in advance and must be purchased no later than Wed., March 23 at lamplighterstampa.org/lfh; sponsorship opportunities are also available for purchase.
Contact: president@lamplighterstampa.org or (813) 966-2520
Lion’s Eye Institute
The Lion’s Eye Institute is home to the world’s largest eye bank, a cutting-edge ocular research center and a foundation that, together, create the leading institution for ocular science. Lion’s Eye advocates for the 45 million blind and visually impaired people around the world.
Fundraising Event: 2021 Eye Ball
Date: November 13 (Time TBD)
Location: TBD
The Eye Ball is the annual fundraising gala for Lions Eye Institute Foundation. Proceeds support sight-saving surgeries, vision screenings, and other sight-related programs.
Tickets: $250
Contact Info: Holly Moon, hmoon@lionseyeinstitute.org, 813-289-1200
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Whether a child chooses to go somewhere exotic, meet an adored celebrity, have a treasured gift or be a dream occupation for the day, each wish experience is tailor-made to exceed all expectations. The Southern Florida chapter grants a wish every 14 hours and has granted more than 12,000 wishes since its inception in 1983.
Fundraising Event: 2021 Make-A-Wish Dishes and Wishes
Date: October 15, 2021, 7 p.m.
Location: Armature Works
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida is excited to announce the return of their annual Dishes and Wishes event on October 15, 2021 at Armature Works. Each year, Dishes and Wishes
Tickets: $150
Contact info: Kelsey Makowski – kmakowski@sfla.wish.org – 813-288-2600 x303
Mary Lee’s House
Join us for an evening that will include a great band, delicious food, libations, and golf…all while raising money to help Hillsborough’s most vulnerable children.
Fundraising Event: Mary Lee’s House Masters Classic
Date: April 2022 (date TBA)
Location: Topgolf Tampa at 5PM
Tickets: Range $100 – $25,000
Contact Information: Kim Chavez, Development Manager
kchavez@maryleeshouse.org | (813) 250-6652
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
The Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation was founded in 1994 to support Moffitt Cancer Center’s cancer research, patient care and education initiatives. Since then, they have worked to fund breakthroughs for the future that promise greater progress in saving lives and reducing cancer to a highly treatable illness.
Fundraising Event: Magnolia Ball
Date: October 16, 2021 at 6pm
Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Magnolia is Moffitt Cancer Center’s signature gala event of the year, and one of the highlights of Tampa Bay’s social calendar that raises funds to support cancer research, bringing us even closer to treatments and cures.
Tickets: $1500
For sponsorships contact:
Kathy Werner
Philanthropic Advisor Magnolia Ball
Kathleen.Werner@Moffitt.org
813-484-1235
For ticket and misc. event details contact:
Liz Howard
Manager of Special Events
Elizabeth.Howard@moffitt.org
813-745-7805
PARC, Inc.
Founded in 1953, PARC (Providing Advocacy and Recognizing Capabilities) provides advocacy, housing, education and community engagement to give children and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest.
Fundraising Event: Evening of Elegance at The West Events
Date: Dec. 10, 2021
Location: 13435 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Gather your friends and enjoy live music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, auctions, and more at PARC’s Evening of Elegance to raise funds for individuals with developmental disabilities in your community.
Tickets: TBA
Contact info: Emery Johannes, Events Director
NephCure Kidney International
NephCure is the only nonprofit organization committed to supporting research, improving treatment and finding a cure for the kidney disease FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) and nephrotic syndrome. The disease can cause scarring in the kidneys and eventually end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or transplantation.
Fundraising Event: 10th Annual Tampa Pig Jig
Date: October 23
Location: Julian B. Lane Park
One of Tampa Bay’s premier philanthropic community events, Tampa Pig Jig, will return with its tenth-anniversary celebration when it welcomes three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker. Multi-Platinum recording artist Brett Young will join the lineup, along with alternative and folk artists Judah & the Lion and Wilderado. Additional local acts will be announced soon.
Tickets: Start at $40, sponsorships start at $3,000
Contact Info: Tampa Pig Jig
(813) 251-4336 | Tampapigjig.com
Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay provides a “home-away-from-home” for families with children receiving medical treatment in Bay area hospitals. The organization comprises four Houses, three in St. Petersburg, and one in Tampa, offering a total of 80 bedrooms with private baths.
Fundraising Event: Storybook Ball, Beauty & The Beast
Date: May 21, 2022, 6pm-midnight
Location: The Coliseum, St. Pete
Our signature event is themed after the beloved children’s book, Beauty and the Beast. This black-tie event features entertainment, dining, dancing, silent and live auctions, to raise funds for the operations of our four local Ronald McDonald Houses.
Tickets and Sponsorships: $1000/couple, Tables of Ten $4000-$25,000
Contact Info: (813) 258-6430, ext. 3
RMHCTampaBay.org/storybook-ball
St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation
The Foundation secures, manages and stewards philanthropic support to benefit the healthcare mission of St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. St. Joseph’s Hospitals have an 85-year history of medical excellence and compassionate care for families in Tampa Bay during some of life’s most important moments.
Fundraising Event: 2021 Heros Ball
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Location: JW Marriott Water Street
The 2021 Heroes Ball, an annual black tie event to benefit St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, is chaired by Howard and Deanna Bayless and will recognize Community Hero the Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil. This year’s elegant evening featuring dinner, entertainment and auction will raise support for our Cancer Institute.
Tickets: individual reservations start at $500, sponsorships available
Contact Info: St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation
(813) 872-0979
sjhfoundation@baycare.org or www.give2stjoeskids.org or corina.wian@baycare.org
Special Events Officer: Corina Wian
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
One of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, the Straz Center boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. The Straz is also home to the Patel Conservatory which annually serves nearly 65,000 students with a variety of educational activities and classes.
Fundraising Event: Broadway Ball 2021
Date: October 23, 6 p.m.
Location: David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
The Straz Center’s most significant annual fundraiser, hosted by the Board of Trustees, returns to an onsite event, and features delectable cocktails, a gourmet dinner on Morsani stage, an enticing auction and show-stopping entertainment, followed by desserts and dancing.
Tickets: $650
Contact Info: (813) 222-1037 | Strazcenter.org
Tampa Bay History Center
The History Center focuses on 12,000 years of Florida’s history. The Center’s hands-on exhibit galleries, educational programs and community events offer a fun, entertaining and educational experience for visitors and locals of all ages. The Center is also home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Florida cartography in the world, with holdings spanning five centuries.
Fundraising event: Tampa Bay History Center Annual Gala
Date: Friday, November 12, 2021
Time: 7 – 11pm
Location: Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Water St., Tampa, FL, 33602
Tickets: $250 per person
A black-tie affair, the History Center Gala is hosted in an open cocktail party format and includes a lavish spread from the Columbia Cafe, open bars and live entertainment – all with stunning views of the Tampa Riverwalk and Cotanchobee Park; funds raised support the preservation of our region’s rich cultural heritage and the History Center’s education programs.
Contact Info: Lisa-Perry Richardson
(813) 675-8991 | TampaBayHistoryCenter.org
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art provides innovative programs with a focus on ancient, modern and contemporary art. The region’s largest institution devoted to the art of our time, the museum is dedicated to providing quality education to students and adults, with many programs offered free of charge.
Fundraising Event: CITY: Fashion + Art + Culture
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Time: 8PM – 11PM
Location: Tampa Museum of Art
Contact Info: Email or call Bernadette Casey, Special Events Manager at bernadette.casey@tampamuseum.org or (813) 421-8368
TampaMuseum.org
Westchase Charitable Foundation
The Westchase Charitable Foundation gives financial assistance to Tampa Bay families going through a devastating tragedy or that have children or parents battling a serious illness.
Fundraising Event: Tampa Bay Woman of the Year
Date: March 2022
Location: TBD
Featuring live and silent auctions, food from the area’s best restaurants and the crowning of the Tampa Bay Woman of the Year, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help children and families in need around the Bay area.
Contact Info: Trey Corish
(813) 855-0343
WestchaseFoundation.org
Wheelchairs 4 Kids
Wheelchairs 4 Kids provides well-fitted and well-equipped wheelchairs to disabled children and assists with ramps, wheelchair lifts and other home modifications to help them live their lives to the fullest.
Fundraising Event: 11th annual “Jail and Bail”
This is an exclusive event for prominent citizens in the Tampa Bay area that are being arrested for various frivolous charges. The “felons” will turn themselves in at Eddie V’s where they will be handcuffed by officers, have their mug shots taken and issued prison garb – orange jumpsuits or stripes, whatever their fashion sense dictates! They will then be brought before “Judges” Steve & Julie Weintraub to answer for their misdeeds and determine if they have raised enough bail. The participants will then be locked up in our jail. During that time, they will raise their bail by calling on friends and colleagues. Upon meeting their bail, they will be released with great fanfare.
Date: Friday, July 15, 2022
Location: Eddie V’s in Tampa
Tickets: $80, sponsorships available
Contact Info: Lisa A. Schmidt
(727) 946-0963
Wheelchairs4Kids.org
Wheelchairs 4 Kids
Wheelchairs 4 Kids provides well-fitted and well-equipped wheelchairs to disabled children and assists with ramps, wheelchair lifts and other home modifications to help them live their lives to the fullest.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids will host their 12th Annual “Wheely Good Time” live & silent auction at Ruth Eckerd Hall at 7:00 PM. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and family testimonials alongside the ongoing silent and live auctions. Tickets, tables & sponsorships available.
Fundraising Event: 12th Annual Wheely Good Time
Date: November 12, 2021
Time: 7PM
Location: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and family testimonials alongside the ongoing silent and live auctions.
Tickets: $80, sponsorships available
Contact Info: Wheelchairs 4 Kids
(727) 946-0963
Wheelchairs4Kids.org
ZooTampa
ZooTampa at Lowry Park, voted one of the country’s most family friendly zoos, offers guests unforgettable up-close adventures with endangered and unique animals from Florida and around the globe. ZooTampa provides natural connections inspiring guests to join their mission to preserve and protect wildlife.
Fundraising Event: Karamu XXXIII
Date: September 10, 2021
Location: ZooTampa at Lowry Park
This annual event moved to September for one year only and will feature an 80s theme and casual vibe with all proceeds benefiting conservation programs at ZooTampa and around the world.
Tickets: Table for $7500
Contact Info: gifts@zootampa.org
