Here in Marin, we are lucky to have a wide swath of nonprofit organizations that appeal to a soft spot in all of us… whether the cause that gets to us is helping youth higher education, animals in need, those living in poverty or on the streets, aging seniors, mistreated women, struggling families, expecting mothers, developmentally disabled adults, foster families, and so forth. Just take a look at our annual Marin Gives Back feature with nearly 60 local nonprofits of every size and stripe to see what we mean.
Which brings us to On the Scene — our ongoing roundup of the area’s best fundraising and community events, designed to foster community support around all of the great causes mentioned above, and many more. Here’s a month by month roundup of how you and your neighbors helped support our amazing county (and the greater Bay Area) in 2024. Many of these events happen annually; perhaps you will see an event to put on your list to attend in 2025!
Were you out on the scene? If so, and we missed your event, please let us know.
January
Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture‘s yearly preview gala of FOG Design+Art — an event showcasing leading contemporary artists — was again a sold-out affair on January 17 with thousands of guests in attendance, including much of the city’s well-heeled crowd. Along with benefiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s educational programs and exhibitions, the gala offered previews of works of contemporary art and design from leading galleries.
The sledgehammers flew at 16 Ritter Street in San Rafael on January 25, as representatives and supporters of Ritter Center broke ground for a new 14,000 square foot facility to replace its existing site. Budgeted at $14.5 million, the new building will expand Ritter Center’s medical and behavioral health services, double its food pantry capacity as well as offer adequate workspace for the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers.
February
At By the Bay Health‘s annual gala, themed Springtime in Seville, guests were transported to a charming Spanish enclave where life is vibrant and abundant. Held on February 3 at the Clubhouse at Peacock Gap, the event raised $750,000 to help patients and families in need with equal access to quality, compassionate care and support programs. Attendees enjoyed a full evening of Spanish-inspired appetizers, cocktails and dinner fare highlighting the extraordinary flavors of the region.
The Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Celebration, held on February 8 in San Rafael, honored five extraordinary women for their passion, dedication, wit, hard work and drive to ensure the progress and well-being of Marin County, including Kim Mazzuca, CEO of 10,000 Degrees; Linda Witong Abrahm, retired Marin Deputy District Attorney and Non-Governmental Organization United Nations Delegate; Kellye Eboni McKinley, CEO of Our Sister’s Keeper; Beverly K. Wood, Judge of the Superior Court, Marin County; and Berta Campos-Anicetti, retired Director of Latin Services, North Marin Community Services.
On February 9, the Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus officially went from dream to reality during its grand opening ceremony hosted by Edan Housing. The campus for senior living, which is also San Rafael’s first car-free community, features 67 units of 100% affordable senior homes. It also includes the new Vivalon Healthy Aging Center and Integrated Care Clinic that combines traditional medical services with coordinated care, social engagement, learning opportunities, nutrition services and activities and programs designed to promote healthy aging.
February 10 ushered in the county’s hottest Valentine’s celebration, the Marin Valentine’s Ball, attracting more than 370 cupid fans ready to boogie to the music of Wonder Bread 5. The heart-studded event raised $325,000 to support the impactful work of three Marin charities — North Bay Children’s Center, The Godmothers of Catholic Charities St. Vincent’s School for Boys and Side by Side — all of which provide critical safety-net services to help ensure Marin children and youth have the chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances in life.
March
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, owner of nonprofit Sausalito Books by the Bay, Cheryl Popp, gathered nearly two dozen of Sausalito’s female business owners and leaders for a celebration at Ditas on the waterfront. The gathering featured light bites and lots of champagne toasts and clinking of glasses to all the women everywhere making it happen.
The Sausalito Community Boating Center at Cass Gidley Marina, a nonprofit that aims to preserve a gathering place on Sausalito’s waterfront and provide affordable access, held its annual Sausalito Herring Festival on March 16 at the Sausalito Center for the Arts. The nonprofit successfully raised $20,000 during the course of the evening, which will assist in the completion of the Cass Gidley Marina.
The Marin American Indian Alliance hosted the county’s Second Annual Marin Powwow on March 17 at Terra Linda High School, bringing together 1,000 individuals to celebrate the cultural diversity of several Indigenous peoples including those who live and work on Coast Miwok land. The festivities included drum groups, indigenous arts and crafts vendors, and performances by traditional Native American dancers.
April
On April 11, the St. Vincent de Paul Auxiliary Board hosted its third annual ladies’ boutique, luncheon and fashion show at the Meadow Club. The fete featured the designs of Trina Turk on the runway and plenty of opportunities to scoop up jewelry, accessories and other baubles during an onsite shopping soiree. The sold-out affair was attended by 210 women, who opened their hearts and pocketbooks to raise $100,000 by the afternoon’s conclusion — all in support of Vinnie’s mission to lend a hand up to those in need.
Lifehouse, a Marin County-based agency dedicated to providing support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, celebrated 70 years during its Great Chefs and Wineries Gala on April 13. The elegant affair, featuring culinary delights and fine wines from 50 of the Bay Area’s most renowned chefs and wineries, took place at the Festival Pavilion in Fort Mason, and raised more than $800,00. As in years past, rock legend Huey Lewis served as honorary chair and Insalata’s chef Heidi Krahling was culinary host.
On April 18, Marin restaurateurs Bill Higgins, Peter Schumacher and Jason Sims invited 50 lucky people to a pre-opening bash at Corner Bar, their new, sleek establishment in Downtown Mill Valley. Located in the space that was previously home to Vasco and Coho, this cozy gathering place combines the authentic charm of a neighborhood bar with the sultriness of a cocktail lounge. Guests were treated to mouthwatering libations and an eclectic array of Mediterranean bites courtesy of Chef Michael Siegel.
Supporters of MarinHealth Foundation gathered at San Rafael’s Peacock Gap Golf Club on April 20 for the foundation’s annual black tie gala, An Emerald Evening. More than $1.2M was raised in support of MarinHealth’s nationally recognized cancer care program while physician champions, Drs. Alex Metzger and Lloyd Miyawaki, shared words of profound gratitude for the support of the community.
On April 26, sponsors and partygoers mingled with 2024 San Francisco Decorator Showcase designers while sipping fine beverages, savoring delicious hors d’oeuvres, and delighting in four levels of spaces while supporting San Francisco University High School’s Financial Aid Program, which has raised 18 million since the showcase’s inception. Guests took in the impressive Golden Gate sunset views and enjoyed a sneak preview inside the fully transformed, magnificent Bliss Estate in Pacific Heights.
Play Marin’s second annual Players’ Night on April 27 at the Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Hall gave grownups a chance to unleash their inner child-like selves by playing board and arcade games, taking silly photo booth shots and dancing the night away — all in support of the nonprofit’s mission to empower Marin County’s youth and bridge the cultural divide in sports and play activities.
10,000 Degrees, a Marin-based nonprofit, raised over $1.1 million at its annual One Amazing Community gala on April 27 at the Marin Civic Center. The funds support scholarships and programs for low-income youth striving to become college graduates. More than 500 guests celebrated and recognized community contributions, including Kim Mazzuca, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, who received the One Degree of Change award for her tireless dedication over the past 25 years.
May
More than 100 women filled the Alexandrite Suite at Casa Madrona on May 2 for Marin Magazine’s Celebrating Women event, in honor of the magazine’s annual issue that highlights the county’s finest movers and shakers. Guests enjoyed wine provided by J Vineyards and Rodney Strong, cocktails by Local Motion, plus tasty nibbles and desserts by Poggio. Lucky raffle winners received generous gifts from Porsche Marin and the event’s title sponsor, Skin Suite Marin, which also gifted each attendee with a generous portion of Alastin skin care products.
Michael Moon, a Marin County parent and tennis-turned-pickleball player, organized the first-ever Norcal High School Pickleball Championships at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on May 11. Thirty four students from pickleball club programs at Branson and Marin Catholic in Marin, St. Vincents in Petaluma, Analy in Sebastopol, Drew School and Proof School in San Francisco, Oak Ridge in El Dorado Hills and Palo Alto High in Palo Alto competed in girls and boys doubles plus mixed doubles events.
Ritter Center, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and resolving homelessness while also positively impacting the health, dignity and well-being of people living in poverty in Marin County, held its annual Under The Stars: Dare To Dream fundraiser on May 16 at the Elks Lodge in San Rafael. More than 200 guests played lawn games, enjoyed a seated dinner and celebrated awards given to Ritter Center’s outstanding volunteers and community members. More $160,000 was raised towards the nonprofit’s mission.
Also on May 16, The Redwoods, an affordable senior living community in Mill Valley, held its Springtime at The Redwoods: A Celebration of Mothers benefit on its beautiful grounds. 200 supporters attended and raised $240,000 towards the nonprofit’s new memory care center.
On May 17, more than 100 Marin residents, advocates, elected officials, staff, and volunteers gathered to champion Community Action Marin’s vision at Step Up Marin! The evening, held at the Las Palmas Children’s Center in Novato, celebrated the achievements of those it serves, featured keynote speaker Johnathan Logan and raised $40,000 to further its mission of equity for all in the county.
June
The annual Dipsea Race Foundation Hall of Fame and Scholarship Dinner, sponsored in part by Dipsea Capital, LLC, was held at the Spinnaker Restaurant in Sausalito on June 7. 150 attendees were treated to spectacular views of boats passing by as they dined on a delicious steak and seafood buffet. A highlight was the presentation of eight $5,000 scholarships to Marin high school students, along with recognition of Norman Pease as a Dipsea Hall of Fame runner.
200 like-minded supporters of accessible healthcare in the county gathered in the lush gardens of Inn Marin on June 19 for Marin Community Clinics’ yearly Summer Solstice Celebration. It was an evening of music, delicious food by Stacy Scott Catering and crafting of DIY flower bouquets — along with recognition of the nonprofit’s esteemed community health champions: Susannah Clark and Susan and Dennis Gilardi.
Sausalito Pride celebrated its second Pride Celebration with three packed days of events June 20-22, starting with with a town night out on Caledonia Street and ending with A Night in Drag fundraising event at Gene Hiller Menswear. Sandwiched in between: a Friday Night Pride celebration at the Sausalito Center for the Arts and Pride Night at Jazz by the Bay. All events were spearheaded by a diverse team of volunteers.
For the third year in a row, several Marin-based agencies teamed up to hand out free summer learning backpacks for kids aged 2 to 5. The Learning Bus of the Marin County Free Library, First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission and the Bay Area Discovery Museum distributed 1,000 backpacks at several family centric events around the county in late June; each pack was chock full of essential learning tools such as a notebook, markers, colored pencils, crayons, pencils, sharpener, eraser, scissors and a glue stick.
5,500 loyal fans attended the Mountain Play’s 2024 musical, Kinky Boots, which chronicles the journey of a man who enlists a charismatic drag queen to help him save the floundering shoe business he inherited from his father. The play, based on music and lyrics by 80s icon Cyndi Lauper, had audiences jumping to their feet and voicing their praise during the production’s four shows in June at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre on Mt. Tam.
July
A dozen Marin high school students took part in a cultural immersion trip to Sausalito’s sister city of Sakaide, Japan from July 26 to August 7. It was part of the Sausalito Sister Cities program which has led cultural youth exchanges between Sausalito and other international cities for the past 60 years. The students, chaperoned by Jill and Larry Knott, stayed with local Japanese families during their 12-day visit and participated in tea ceremonies, ikebana flower arranging and a festival parade, made Udon, visited the ancient city of Kyoto and were honored at a special event hosted by Mayor Arifuku of Sakaide—all contributing to a life changing experience for the teens.
August
Over 300 attendees, including many Marin residents and business owners, came together at Sausalito’s Marina Plaza for Marin Magazine’s Best of the County party on August 9. The sold-out rooftop affair, with a party-perfect atmosphere created by 38 North Design Co., inspired guests to break out their warm weather attire and enjoyed the summer-perfect temperatures. As guests vibed to the eclectic mix of tunes spun by DJ West Coast Good Times, they noshed on international cuisine by Stacy Scott Catering including poke bowls and antipasti, and enjoyed signature cocktails made with specialty gin and vodka from Alamere Spirits, rum from Batiste Rhum, a variety of wines from J Vineyards & Winery and Orin Swift and vodka libations from Local Motion. Guests also satisfied their sweet tooth with tastes of Angela’s Organic Ice Cream and were showered with several surprises: luxurious, ahhh-inducing wellness treatments in the Jyzen Labs medical spa room; Golden State Spritzes paired with California Caviar in the Local Getaways Lounge, and special tarot card readings. Part of the event’s proceeds were donated to the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
September
On September 7, thousands of adventurous spirits made their way to the top of Mount Tamalpais for Sound Summit, the annual community gathering high above San Francisco Bay known for its winning combination of vibrant music, good vibes, and breathtaking views. This year’s festive crowd was treated to a stellar lineup featuring indie-rock icons Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile along with retro-soul ensemble The California Honeydrops, 18-year-old guitar sensation Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, and the genre-defying Bay Area artist, Skyway Man.
SchoolsRule Marin, a nonprofit that unifies the many public school foundations throughout the county, held its annual fundraiser at the Corinthian Yacht Club on September 7. The event raised $400,000 which will go towards fostering important programs in the arts, technology, literacy and wellness in all of Marin’s public schools. Marin County Superintendent of Schools John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent emerita Mary Jane Burke and other advocates of Marin’s public school system were among the 200 supporters in attendance.
The picturesque Meadow Club in Fairfax set the stage on September 9 for Marin Community Clinics’ annual fundraising golf tournament. 170 golfers hit the links to help raise more than $113,000 for accessible healthcare and to support Marin Community Clinics’ nine medical, dental and behavioral health facilities throughout the county. Out on the course, golfers enjoyed real-time swing instruction and tips from pro golfer Pearl Rojanapeansatith of Perform for Golf and an end-of-day bagpipe serenade by Pipe Major Janice Richey of the Macintosh Pipe Band.
250 Marin Humane supporters along with their animal friends gathered at the nonprofit’s Novato campus on September 14 for Tails by Twilight—the organization’s annual fundraising event. iHeart Radio’s Marcus D. emceed the evening which included a vegan dinner by Sage Catering, and Marin Humane Board President Sandy Monticelli shared stories about the organization’s impact, along with its need for funding for facility improvements, especially canine housing. Following dinner, the live auction offered up visits to an elephant sanctuary not open to the public, a trip to Ireland, and a chance to have one’s beloved pet on next year’s Tails by Twilight invitation. The event raised $600,000 by its conclusion.
As it has since 1957, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival once again took over Old Mill Park on September 14 and 15, bringing with it 135 juried artists ranging from sculptors and watercolorists to photographers and woodworkers—all exhibiting the fruits of their amazing talents. While local and national musicians entertained event-goers from the park’s famous redwood grove stage, storytellers and magicians fascinated children of all ages in the Children’s Grove.
To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation held its signature Stepping Out gala on September 28 at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael. 400 guests helped raise $560,000 benefiting the foundation’s breast cancer grant program which funds Bay Area nonprofits providing critical services and financial assistance to underserved breast cancer patients. The highlight of the evening was an inspirational runway fashion show featuring 29 local volunteer models thriving after breast cancer, escorted by prominent physicians.
October
On October 2, the Center for Domestic Peace held an open house at its beautiful, welcoming building in San Rafael for the community to learn more about its services. The event also served as an introduction to the nonprofit’s new executive director, Tara Peterson, who welcomed everyone with a moving talk about the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October).
Marin Foster Care Association’s annual Blues & Brews fundraiser was held the weekend of October 4 and 5 at Pacheco Ranch Winery in Novato, drawing in more than 350 guests in support of Marin’s foster youth and their caregivers. Executive Director Ashley Hurd shared the past year’s achievements, including the purchase of an apartment building in Novato for transition age foster youth and support of additional Bay Area resource centers for foster families in Solano and San Francisco counties. The event raised more than $450,000.
Marin Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which provides individualized advocacy for Marin County youth in the foster care system, in juvenile justice or on probation, held its annual Voices for Hope Gala on October 10 at The Seminary at Strawberry. The event honored the Honorable Judge Beverly Wood (Ret.) for her 13 years of service as Marin County’s dependency judge, and welcomed Judge James Chou, the newly appointed dependency judge. The night featured a live auction, raffle, fund-a-future and a lively wine toss and raised more than $150,000.
On October 12, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin hosted its annual gala, Pennies from Heaven, at the Meadow Club in Fairfax. The elegant sold-out event was attended by 210 benefactors and raised more than $600,000 for SVdP’s programs and services feeding the hungry and housing the homeless in Marin County. The program featured a silent and live auction, fine wine and spirits tastings, an oyster bar, and a cigar lounge.
Mill Valley’s Acqua Hotel set the scene for an October 16 fireside chat with Baie Netzer, Managing Director and Senior Investment Strategist with Bank of America Private Bank. The Marin-minded crowd was lively and asked insightful questions ranging from real estate to AI, while Netzer talked about how current events impact—and drive—the economy. Prior to the discussion, guests mingled outside overlooking Richardson Bay and snacked on small bites by Piatti.
The annual Lifehouse Awards Banquet took place on October 18 at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael, with more than 350 guests celebrating the contributions of Lifehouse’s community partners, staff, and most importantly, the people it supports. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools Emerita. In 2024, Lifehouse is commemorating 70 years of helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full lives in Marin.
Sausalito Center for the Arts’ Milagros & Memories: Celebration of Día de los Muertos on October 26 was an unforgettable evening melding tradition and festivity in a colorful setting of art, dance, music, food and drink. Led by master magician Jay Alexander who served as master of ceremonies, 200 guests enjoyed lively performances by the Aztec Dance Group, Mariachi Nueva Esperanza and a guitar trio, as well as delicious bites from Jack Sherwood. Funds raised will help the nonprofit with updates to its interior and exterior spaces.
November
The PNOC Foundation hosted its annual Gratitude Gala on November 2 at San Francisco’s Letterman Digital Arts Center. Co-founders Bruce and Allyn Campbell united philanthropists, business leaders, patient families, and leading UCSF doctors at the event to toast a groundbreaking global collaboration against pediatric brain cancer.
When Rosalyn and Justin Porcano’s only daughter, Lia, was diagnosed in 2018 with Usher syndrome type 1B, a rarity that causes childhood blindness and congenital deafness, they responded quickly by creating Save Sight Now — a Marin nonprofit focused on finding a treatment or cure. Five years later, Save Sight Now hosted its 5th Annual Gift of Vision gala on November 14, drawing in 200 dedicated supporters and raising $406,000 for medical research to combat the impact of Usher syndrome type 1B, which has affected not only Lia but also hundreds of children all over the world.
