Even the most vibrant of counties are not without need for charitable organizations, and what better way to fund admirable foundations than with a fancy party?
The 2025 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Pennies From Heaven (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Annual Gala picks see below.
Our 2025 Philanthropy category sponsor is Marin Community Foundation. View the rest of the Philanthropy category here.
We’ve broken it down by region: Central and Northern Marin.
Central Marin
10,000 Degrees ONE Amazing Community Gala
San Rafael
10,000 Degrees is unlocking student success at scale, giving more students equitable opportunities for a quality education and career success. After working with more than 60,000 students across 250 colleges over the past 44 years, and awarding more than $105 million in scholarships, they understand what it takes for students to get to, through and beyond college.
1401 Los Gamos Dr., Suite 205, San Rafael, 415.459.4240
By the Bay Health Black & Gold Gala
San Rafael
For over 50 years, By the Bay Health has been providing Marin County and beyond with compassionate, home based care during a family’s most crucial time. Originally called Hospice by the Bay, it is the oldest non-profit hospice in California (second oldest in the US) and has served as a model for similar organizations. Last year’s Black & Gold Gala at Peacock Gap in San Rafael was a black-tie event and brought together supporters, healthcare leaders and community members to honor the organization’s five decades of compassionate care.
17 East Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Larkspur, 415.938.3717
Edible Garden, Marin Art & Garden Center
Ross
An annual culinary event held among Marin Art & Garden Center’s formal gardens, Edible Garden features tastings from local chefs, wineries, and purveyors, botanical cocktails, live music, and an art walk — raising funds to support the center’s gardens, historic buildings, preschool, and community programs.
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross, 415.455.5260
Lifehouse Agency: Great Chefs & Wineries
San Rafael
Lifehouse’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing a lifetime of support. Their Great Chefs and Wineries gala is one of Marin County’s premier fundraising events — a dazzling celebration of the food, wine and community spirit held to support this cause. In the week leading up to the event, a virtual auction helps raise critical funds and awareness to support their work as well.
18 Professional Center Pkwy, San Rafael, 415.526.5300
Marin CASA Rising Stars Gala
Ross
The Rising Stars Gala by Marin CASA honors Assemblymember Damon Connolly for his contributions, as they aim to raise even more to support those in the juvenile court system.
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross
MarinHealth Foundation’s Annual Black-Tie Gala
Greenbrae
Their annual black tie gala benefits a different one of MarinHealth’s programs every year. In 2023, the “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” gala’s proceeds went to expanding cardiovascular care and the various methods that are used to treat heart conditions at MarinHealth.
1350 S Eliseo Dr #110, Greenbrae, 415.925.7770
Side by Side: Reach for the Stars Gala
San Anselmo
Founded in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage, Side by Side has provided a continuum of youth services for over 130 years. Today, Side by Side operates across the Bay Area, offering a comprehensive support network for youth impacted by trauma and adversity. Their services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each young person, ranging from mental health assistance to transitional housing.
300 Sunny Hills Dr Bldg #5, San Anselmo, 415.457.3200
Stepping Out to Celebrate Life
San Rafael
An inspiring annual gala and runway show featuring breast cancer survivors, Stepping Out raises funds for local nonprofits supporting patients through every stage of treatment and recovery.
Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, 415.455.5882
St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Pennies From Heaven Annual Gala
San Rafael
Celebrating 79 years of serving the Marin community through the “Pennies from Heaven” gala, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin will be hosting again this October at the Meadow Club in Fairfax. Guests can expect fine wine tastings, gourmet dining, auctions and sponsorship tiers to support feeding, housing and aid programs.
820 B St, San Rafael, 415.454.3303
Northern Marin
Narada Michael Walden Foundation: The Spring Fling
Novato
The Narada Michael Walden Foundation has a dream; to enable young people to find creativity and passion through music, to provide a joyous outlet for the stress that youth today often experience. Young artists can find the start they need through the Foundation, accessing coaching and support that they would otherwise need to pay for. The Spring Fling event features young artists who learn and then perform songs at their own mini-concert.
530C Alameda del Prado, #323, Novato
Philanthropy Sponsor
Marin Community Foundation
MCF is the philanthropic engine of the County. They partner with more than 560 individuals and families who are committed to solving the toughest challenges the community faces, using expertise, connections, and resources.
Marin Community Foundation | Novato, CA | 415.464.2500 | marincf.org
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