SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025, 5:30 - 8:30 pm, The Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine Street, Denver

Our theme, "Why We Travel," is a celebration of the magic and meaning behind every journey. It captures the thrill of stepping into the unknown, the joy of uncovering hidden gems, and the wonder of history coming to life. It’s about those unexpected moments—the surprises and the shared humanity that make travel transformative. Join us.

AUCTION NOTE: Our silent auction is open to anyone, anywhere. If you are interested in one of our three fabulous LIVE AUCTION items, no problem. You can contact a friend who is going to the Gala or email dcisfoundation@gmail.com to secure a starting and max bid, and we'll be your proxy live at the event.

AWARD WINNERS

TICKETS: $160 Individual, $150 Alumni and Educators, $1500 Table of 10 (no price increase from last year)

ATTIRE: Evening Festive (black tie optional); use BLUE as a color focus (it signifies community + optimism)

PARKING: The Cherry Creek neighborhood can get crowded, so we encourage you to use UBER/Lyft. However, we have made valet parking arrangements as well. Please purchase a parking ticket if you plan to drive and use valet parking. Assessability - The hotel entrance has a ramp, and the elevator to the second floor is just inside the entryway.

THE MEAL: Renowned Executive Chef Matt Heikkila will prepare a delicious plated meal for our special evening. It will start with an artisanal salad with shaved vegetables, fine herbs, oregano vinaigrette, fresh baked rolls and butter, followed by free-range organic lemon chicken, roasted red potatoes, and creamed spinach. (A vegetarian option is available upon request. Order that during your ticket purchase.

THE PLAN:

5:30 pm Check-in + Reception/Drinks + Silent Auction

6:15 pm Program starts (Plated Sit-down Dinner)

7:00 pm Program continues

8:00 pm Awards Presentation

8:30 pm Conclusion + Table Winner Gifts

Sponsor Payment

Sponsor Options

Remembering GALA 2024: Celebrating Japan.

"Great job with the event! We had a great time. So many great conversations and stories." Ted, first time attendee
*"Wonderful, wonderful. We all had a fantastic time. It touched many people’s hearts." Chrissy, donor*

The Gala was a lovely evening filled with wonderful stories, awards, and the DCIS community.

Our program told the story from 1942 (Japanese internment camp in Granada, CO/Amache Internment Camp to the present Japanese American culture and their economic and cultural leadership in Denver. After a day of light snow and spring showers, an amazing crowd gathered for an evening of celebration and fundraising.

Links to relevant content:

Denver Botanic Garden's Film, now on PBS, "The Amache Rose"

Amache National Historical Site | National Park Service

Amache Preservations Society and Pilgramage Information

Cherry Blossom Festival, Sakura Square | June 22 - 23, 2024

Remembering GALA 2023: Celebrating Guatemala & Central America.

Sponsorship levels

SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT

TRIPS: This year we are partnering with Travel Culture (owned by Alumnus Freya Quist) to bring you two curated, cultural tours to Guatemala (History, Artifacts, Food, and Sightseeing) and Costa Rica (Nature, Excursions, Tastings, and Sightseeing). More details on our website and coming soon when the online auction opens on April 14. Other trips include The Ultimate Family Getaway (4 choices on locations), Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, and Vail. There is something for everyone this year!

Our VALUED GALA SPONSORS who care about DCIS students and our mission.

Remembering GALA 2022: Italy

A few people attended the Met Gala in NYC on Saturday, April 30, but the most important people of all attended the DCIS Foundation Spring Gala 2022 at History Colorado Center in Denver. All 160 attendees dressed to impress.

It was a lovely evening reconnecting with old friends, chatting on the terrace, eating family-style, playing games, having bidding wars, and watching the program and awards.

The circle chart to the right gives you a feel for categories and percentages of money raised. DCIS Foundation raised $45,578 and once we take out expenses, we cleared $25,353 to help DCIS students to travel and participate in intercultural experiences. Thank you for helping us create amazing global citizens.

If you missed the Gala and want to catch up, please feel free to watch the video. This video includes WELCOME, GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES, STUDENT PERSPECTIVES, FUNDRAISING, and AWARDS. NOTE: This video is copyrighted and is not to be downloaded or shared without the written permission of the DCIS Foundation. All rights reserved.

Photos or feedback: dcisfoundation@gmail.com

Photo Gallery

Remembering GALA 2021: World travel

Watch this: SPRING GALA 2021 Honorary Chairs Brady Efting (Former teacher and Gold Sponsor) and Gerardo Muñoz (Colorado 2021 Teacher of the Year) kicked off the event.

Educational travel changes lives. Watch this video to see our impact.

RESULTS from our April 24, 2021 SPRING GALA event: We reconciled our accounts and wanted to share the SPRING GALA results with you.

230+ people watched our virtual program – families gathered and many viewers tuned in from other states and countries. Cool!

We raised $35,000 for student scholarships, teacher grants, and DCIS projects. Yes!

We shared video interviews of students, alumni, teachers, and leaders. Insightful!

6 different languages were spoken during our presentation. 谢谢 Xièxiè! Grazie Mille!

We sold 73 of the 75 silent auction treasures. Wow!

We sold 6 trips to fabulous locations around the world (3-yr window to use). Fantastic!

We gave 4 prestigious awards to gracious thought-leaders. Congrats to them!

Volunteers delivered 84 MEALS+GIFT bags to donor homes. Phew!

We celebrated DCIS including our donors, Alumni Leadership Council, and the Council of Advisors. Muito Obrigado!

We learned a bit more about amazing Santa Fe, New Mexico. Road trip!

If you attended or participated in any way in the DCIS Foundation’s SPRING GALA 2021, thank you! You made it a great success and it was so much fun. Feels good, doesn't it?

We look forward to envisioning what the next year can bring for our wonderful students as they continue to grow into engaged, action-oriented, global citizens.

Aŋpétu wašté yuhá!

Au Revoir!

Muchas Gracias!