About Our Event
One Night. One Region. One Powerful Community.
The Raise the Region Gala brings Northern Virginia's leaders together for an unforgettable black-tie evening of connection, celebration, and impact.
📅 Friday, October 16, 2026
📍 Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
🕡 6:30–10:00 PM
🎶 Live entertainment
🎁 Silent & live auctions
🤝 Hundreds of business, civic & philanthropic leaders
Join the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia for an unforgettable evening celebrating leadership, generosity, and the shared future of our region. The Raise the Region Gala brings together the people and organizations who believe in Northern Virginia—and are invested in helping it thrive.
🎟️ Tickets: $500
🌟 Sponsorships: Start at $1,500
(With year-round visibility and impact)
Be part of the night. Be part of what’s next.
Community Leadership Award Honorees
Serving the Northern Virginia Region
A defining moment of the evening is the presentation of the 2026 Community Leadership Awards, honoring both individual and organizational leadership that has made a lasting impact on Northern Virginia. We are proud to recognize:
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARDEES
🏅 Gil & Liz Blankespoor
Gil and Liz Blankespoor are honored for their lifelong commitment to expanding educational opportunity through the Reston Scholarship Fund. For decades, their leadership has helped remove financial barriers, opening pathways to higher education for students and strengthening the region by investing directly in its future workforce and leaders.
ORGANIZATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARDEE
🏅 Inova
Inova is recognized for its leadership in advancing health, innovation, and community wellbeing across Northern Virginia. Through world‑class care, medical research, and deep community investment, Inova has strengthened the health infrastructure of the region and improved outcomes for individuals and families at every stage of life.
Honorary Gala Committee
Dedicated to Northern Virginia
The Honorary Gala Committee is composed of former Community Leadership Award honorees whose enduring commitment to Northern Virginia continues to shape our region. Their leadership and service reflect the lasting impact of philanthropy rooted in community.
Richard Duvall (2014)
Ellen and Jim Dyke (2018)
Mark and Brenda Moore (2017)
Phil and Marge Odeen (1998)
F. Kevin Reynolds (2007)
Sumeet Shrivastava (2023)
J. Knox Singleton (2016)
Zuzana Steen, Micron (2022)
Warren M. Thompson (2025)
Event Attire Details
Black Tie
The Raise the Region Gala is a black-tie event, and guests typically dress in formal evening attire.
For men, this often includes a tuxedo or dark formal suit.
For women, floor-length gowns, elegant cocktail dresses, or equally formal attire are common.
We encourage you to dress in a way that feels celebratory and comfortable for you. While black tie is encouraged, our priority is creating a welcoming evening where all guests can enjoy the experience—we look forward to celebrating together.
Sizzle Reel
Experience last year's Raise the Region Gala!
Relive the electric energy and unforgettable moments from last year's gala in our thrilling sizzle reel, setting the stage for an even more sensational event this year. Get ready to be wowed, inspired, and amazed as we gear up for our biggest and most memorable gala yet!
Our Sponsors
Thanks to our 2026 Raise the Region Gala Sponsors
Our generous sponsors have an integral role in making our Raise the Region Gala a special night!
The Raise the Region Gala is proudly presented by:
Join Us!
Tickets and Sponsorships Available
Supporting the Raise the Region Gala means supporting the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and its role as a trusted partner in the region’s future. CFNOVA directs resources into local grants and scholarships, brings leaders together around shared challenges, and helps strengthen the organizations that make Northern Virginia work. Gala support ensures the Foundation can remain flexible, forward-looking, and ready to respond—while continuing to invest in long-term solutions that help our community grow stronger over time.
Individual tickets are $500. Sponsorships start at $1,500 and include visibility throughout the year and during the event.
Questions: Contact Tara Nadel, Chief Marketing Officer, at 703-879-7637 or tara.nadel@cfnova.org.
Donate an Auction Item
Have the perfect item or experience for our silent auction that highlights the beauty and bounty of Northern Virginia and beyond? Submit the details here and our team will reach out to coordinate further details.
All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
About the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia advances philanthropy and community leadership to build a region that works for everyone. Since 1978, we’ve connected donors with causes they care about, provided data-driven insights to inform lasting impact, and partnered with nonprofits, businesses, foundations, and government to drive meaningful change. We proudly serve Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Need Support?
Contact our Team with Questions.
Have any questions for us? Please contact Tara Nadel, Chief Marketing Officer, at 703-879-7637 or email tara.nadel@cfnova.org.