One Night. One Region. One Powerful Community.

About the Gala

Help Make More Possible for Northern Virginia!

The Raise the Region Gala brings our community 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

Support the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia while celebrating leadership and generosity.

🎟️ Tickets: $500
$450 - Early Bird Pricing through 8/1 (Discount Code: earlybird)

🌟 Sponsorships: Start at $1,500
(With year-round visibility and impact)

Be part of the night. Be part of what’s next for Northern Virginia.

Recognizing Northern Virginia changemakers

Community Leadership Award Honorees

The 2026 Community Leadership Awards honor both individual and organizational leadership that have 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.

Our Emcee

Tommy McFly

Tommy McFly is an award-winning broadcaster known for his work as a correspondent & anchor. With nearly 20 years of experience in events, television, content & radio, he has an uncanny ability to tell stories that center on real people and bring broader issues to light.

Honorary Gala Committee

Dedicated to Northern Virginia

The Honorary Gala Committee is composed of Community Leadership Award honorees throughout the years, 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)
Karen Schaufeld (2021)
Sumeet Shrivastava (2023)
J. Knox Singleton (2016)
Zuzana Steen, Micron (2022)
Warren M. Thompson (2025)
Jim Wordsworth (2015)

2026 Gala Task Force

Volunteer Community Leaders Supporting this Effort

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is grateful to members of the 2026 Raise the Region Gala Task Force, working to ensure the evening's success!

Pictured above, from left to right, are the 2026 Gala Co-Chairs:
Harry Klaff, Principal and U.S. President, Avison Young; Chair, CFNOVA's Board of Directors
Amy Wells Mackay, Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor, Truist Bank; CFNOVA's Board of Directors
Renée Byng Yancey, President and CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

The following are also members of the Task Force:
Wes Bausserman, J.R.'s Goodtimes, Inc.
Virginia Bulger, Transurban
Meredith Fortner, EduTutorVA
Paul Gilbert, Green Results
Pauline Healy, Volunteer
Leanne Hoover, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Angelina Jarrouj, George Mason University
Heidi Kibirsky, The Wine Cabinet
Rachel McLean, The Mather
Megan Mocho, Holland & Knight
Beth Morrow, Atlantic Union Bank
Meera Pillai, Philanthropist
Bruce Potter, InsideNOVA
Judy Redpath, Vista Wealth Strategies
Mitch Weintraub, Cherry Bekaert

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 philanthropic partner in the region’s future. Together we are raising funds to change lives - opening doors through scholarships, supporting the nonprofits that uplift our communities, connecting generosity with purpose, and partnering with changemakers to build a better future for our region.

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 Amanda Bomfim, Director of Communications and Events, at 703-347-7427 or amanda.bomfim@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.

www.cfnova.org

Need Support?

Contact our Team with Questions.

Have any questions for us? Please contact Amanda Bomfim, Director of Communications and Events at amanda.bomfim@cfnova.org.