No one said giving to charity has to be boring, and these events more than prove that you can have a nice night out while supporting a good cause. 

The 2025 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is By the Bay Health Black & Gold Gala (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Fundraising Event 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, Northern and West Marin.

Central Marin

10,000 Degrees ONE Amazing Community Gala

San Rafael

10,000 Degrees supports students on their journey to and through college with scholarships, mentorship, and comprehensive resources. Centered on equity and student potential, they’re building a more just and equitable future through the power of education. 

1401 Los Gamos Dr Ste 205, San Rafael, 415.459.4240

Adopt A Family of Marin, Valentine Boutique & Luncheon

San Rafael

A heartwarming boutique event and luncheon where local vendors donate a portion of sales to support families at risk of homelessness in Marin County. All proceeds benefit Adopt A Family’s mission to prevent homelessness and provide vital resources to struggling families.

35 Mitchell Boulevard Ste 20, San Rafael, 415.456.7805

By the Bay Health Black & Gold Gala

San Rafael

Originally Hospice by the Bay founded in Larkspur in 1975, By the Bay Health became a comprehensive nonprofit last renamed in 2021. It provides hospice, palliative, pediatric and skilled home healthcare, grief support and professional education. Its signature Black & Gold Gala celebrates five decades, funding its Pathways to Care Careers initiative.

333 Biscayne Dr, San Rafael, 415.927.2273 

Center for Domestic Peace: In Celebration of Mothers

San Rafael

It’s a sad truth that domestic violence continues to affect so many people, and the Center for Domestic Peace is here to provide support. They provide a range of services regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, and have a number of educational materials so that people who are being abused can find out how to acquire the help they need.

734 A St, San Rafael, 415.924.6616

Marin Community Clinics Golf Tournament at Meadow Club – Tee Up for Community Healthcare    

Fairfax

Marin Community Clinics partners with the Meadow Club, one of the Bay Area’s most prestigious golf courses, in Fairfax annually for the “Tee Up for Community Health Care” golf tournament. On September 22, 2024, sponsors and donors will have a chance to participate in an 18-hole tournament as well as a plethora of other fun competitions ranging from ‘Best Dressed’ to a Longest Drive challenge. A dinner and auction event will be held after the golf. 

The Meadow Club, Fairfax, 415.448.1500 

Marin Valentine’s Ball Benefiting Side by Side

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. Their Marin Valentine’s Day Ball is a celebration of love that helps in-need youth and benefits two other local agencies: North Bay Children’s Center and the Godmothers of Catholic Charities St. Vincent’s School for Boys. 

300 Sunny Hills Dr Bldg. #5, San Anselmo, 415.457.3200

SchoolsRule

San Rafael

SchoolsRule fundraising gala returns in 2023 after their three year hiatus! Their cause is to ensure every public school student has access to the same high quality programs, no matter which zip code they happen to live in. They fund public schools across the county to help even out the playing field.

1111 Las Gallinas Ave, San Rafael, 415.491.6680

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Pennies From Heaven

San Rafael

St. Vincent de Paul has a mission to provide compassionate, individualized assistance to help their most vulnerable neighbors obtain nutritious food, affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a voice in the community. Their crisis assistance programs have grown to support over 8,000 people annually, including housing Marin’s chronically homeless and supporting those who are precariously housed.

820 B St, San Rafael, 415.454.3303

Walk For Moms, Postpartum Support Center

San Rafael

In support of maternal mental health awareness month, the postpartum support center hosts the Walk For Moms. PPSC offers mothers resources such as postpartum depression resources, access to the Marin Diaper Bank, and other educational resources for mothers. 

160 Armory Dr, San Rafael, 415.320.6707

Northern Marin

Marin Community Clinics Summer Solstice Fundraiser

Novato 

Another fundraising event put on by Marin Community Clinics is the Summer Solstice Fundraiser in Novato on June 18. At the Inn Marin and Suites in Novato, supporters of the Clinics are welcomed for a night of music, entertainment and food as the group honors some of its most prestigious members and most charitable donors. 

Inn Marin and Suites of Novato, 415.448.1500

West Marin

Halleck Creek Ranch Buckles and Bling Annual Gala

Nicasio

This rustic horse ranch is so much more than just a place to ride. From bridle to saddle, the benefits of horse therapy are not to be underestimated, be that from the muscle gained through riding to the self-esteem gained from safely handling and befriending a large animal. This fun event filled with food and wine is preceded by a week of an online charity auction to support the work Halleck Creek Ranch does.

1740 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, 415.662.2488

Are you a BOC business but want to change your photo, or did we miss including it? Submit your new photo here.