Bright Futures Gala
EMPOWERING YOUTH, INSPIRING FUTURES: A CENTURY OF IMPACT
Make a Gala Gift
Purchase Gala Tickets
(ticket sales have ended)
Our Mission
Youth Guidance creates and implements school-based programs that enable children to overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.
Sponsorship
You can contribute towards one of Chicago’s leading providers of best-practice, evidence-based programming that works directly with children to help them make positive choices and remain on the right path towards life success.
Why Support
Youth Guidance meets kids where they are and gives them access to the support and tools they need to thrive. With your generous support, our programs not only impact the individual youth, but help make their schools and communities safer and more successful.
What is the Bright Futures Gala?
Bright Futures Gala is Youth Guidance’s premier annual event to raise the necessary funds for the organization to support programs such as Becoming A Man (BAM) and Working on Womanhood (WOW), which served more than 14,000 youth directly this school year. More than 500 guests are expected to attend in person, including corporate and foundation sponsors, business owners, and philanthropic leaders.
2025 Gala Host Committee
Melissa Clark (Co-Chair), Michael Harris (Co-Chair), Zak Judd (Co-Chair), Jim Mills (Co-Chair), Terrell Anderson, Susan Benton, Phil Bierman, Karen Bubrowski, Kalia Coleman, David Helms, Kim Flynn, Julia Gerstein, Eva Loseth, Nick O’Conner, Matt Parr, Paul Reilly, Diane Reilly, Mena Ruiz, Greg Simoncini, John Schmidt, Rachel Goodman Sturges, Michael Thomas-Goodwin, Bob Waibel, Victoria Watkins
Sponsor the Bright Futures Gala!
Youth Guidance sees a bright and successful future for every elementary and high school student in under-resourced communities. For information or questions about sponsoring the gala, please contact dev@youth-guidance.org.
Your Centennial Sponsorship Includes:
Logo on Gala 2025 program cover and Youth-Guidance.org.
Two-page color ad in program book (11 x 8.5").
Dedicated post on Youth Guidance social media.
2 tables at Bright Futures Gala (20 guests).
Logo in Gala program and event signage.
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Logo Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in all press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Centennial Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Premier Sponsorship Includes:
Logo on Gala 2025 program cover and Youth-Guidance.org.
Two-page color ad in program book (11 x 8.5").
Post on Youth Guidance social media.
2 tables at Bright Futures Gala (20 guests).
Logo in Gala program and event signage.
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Logo Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in all press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Premier Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Platinum Sponsorship Includes:
Full-page color ad in program book (5.5 x 8.5").
1 table at Bright Futures Gala (10 guests).
Logo in Gala program and event signage.
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Logo Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Platinum Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Gold Sponsorship Includes:
Full-page color ad in program book (5.5 x 8.5").
1 table at Bright Futures Gala (10 guests).
Logo in Gala program and event signage
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Logo Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Gold Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Silver Sponsorship Includes:
Half-page color ad in program book (5.5 x 4.25").
1 table at Bright Futures Gala (10 guests).
Logo in Gala program and event signage
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Logo Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Silver Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Bronze Sponsorship Includes:
Half-page black and white ad in program book (5.5 x 4.25").
1 table at Bright Futures Gala (10 guests).
Logo Included in 2 e-blasts to Gala invitees and attendees
Displayed on Youth Guidance website for 1 year.
Recognition in press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Bronze Sponsor during Gala program.
Your Table Patron Includes:
1 table at Bright Futures Gala (10 guests).
Recognition in press, ads, and promotions.
Acknowledgment as a Table Patron during Gala program.
2025 Bright Futures Gala Sponsors
Premier Sponsors
David & Andrea Helms
Sacks Family Foundation
Platinum Sponsors
Zachary &
Rachel Fardon
Mark & Julia Gerstein
Brent & Katie Gledhill
Maria Green & Greg Lewis
Raitt Family Foundation
Paul C. Reilly &
Diane H. Reilly
Rob & Mary Womsley
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Amazon
Ann & John Lennon
Bill Nygren Foundation & Maggie Baczkowski
Darren &
Bethany Robbins
Peoples Gas
Phil & Laura Bierman
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
James & Bobbi Anderson
Jamie & Rob Taylor
Mary Vihon
The Boeing Company
Bronze Sponsors
ACCO Brands
BDT & MSD Partners
Chicago Blackhawks Foundation
Chicago Bulls
Chicago White Sox
Dr. Rachel Goodman Sturges
Jennifer A. Naber, Laner Muchin, Ltc.
Levenfield Pearlstein, LLC
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
SC Johnson
Thompson Coburn LLP
Troutman Pepper Locke
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Table Patrons
AEG Partners
Ajay Desai/UBS PWM
Ariel Investments
The Annie. E. Casey Foundation
BCBS
BCG
BCLP.
Bob Waibel
BOWA Construction
Braun, Degan, India, Manny Families
CBIZ Gibraltar Real Estate Services, LLC
Chris Steadley & Brittany Merritt
Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres
Crowe LLP
Douglas K. Walker
DRW
Fabian Souza
Fiducient Advisors
Ginsberg Jacobs
Gregory G. Simoncini & Ed Dudley
Casey Family Programs
Families of Allison Gerstein and Evan Gerstein
Harry B. Rosenberg, Jr. & Rachel Dvorken
Ian Elfenbaum & Susan Adler
Jim Mills
John & Beth Schmidt
John Salvino
Katten Muchin Roseman LLP
Laura & Mark Beres
McShane Construction
Merck
Michael Harris
PJT Partners and Matt & Carrie Parr
Prosper Road Foundation
Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
The Ruttenberg/Kagan Foundation
Susan Benton
Ulta Beauty
Value Based Business Strategies
Ventas
Wipfli