PHILANTHROPY IS FUN

7 can't-miss galas & parties of spring 2024 for Dallas young professionals

The annual Yellow Rose Gala raises money for a cure for MS.

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Open those calendars, young professionals. The spring gala and party season is here.

As young adults continue to move to the Dallas area in droves, many are looking for ways to get involved in the city's thriving philanthropy scene. Here are some fun ways to get started.

From an action-packed casino party to a Western-chic gala to the most scrumptious culinary celebration in town, these are the seven top philanthropic events that no Dallas YP will want to miss this spring.

CASAblanca, February 2
The Dallas CASA Young Professionals kick off YP social season with a spirited casino party, filled with games, cocktails, appetizers, silent auctions, prizes, and dancing at The Hall on Dragon. After trying their luck at the blackjack and roulette tables, guests can get crazy on the dance floor to the sounds of The Special Edition band. The cocktail-attire gala is under the guidance of co-chairs Brooke Donelson, Hannah Harpole, and Amanda Rodriguez, and proceeds benefit the children served by Dallas CASA. Tickets (starting at $150) and more information are available here.

CASAblanca, 2016 Come ready to press your luck at CASAblanca's casino. Photo by Tim Heitman

Genesis Masquerade, March 1
The Genesis Young Leaders are taking their ninth annual black-tie affair to the Perot Museum and theming it (appropriately) "Night at the Museum." The event promises a sparkling evening of roaming dinner, signature cocktails, silent auction, live entertainment, and more. Event chair is Kendal Bohnsack, and GYL board president is Michael Anorue. Genesis Young Leaders is an auxiliary group of young professionals dedicated to ending domestic violence. All proceeds go to the many programs of Genesis Women's Shelter & Support. Tickets (starting at $100) are available here.

Genesis Masquerade Genesis Young Leaders will head to the Perot Museum for this year's Masquerade. Photo courtesy of Genesis

Junior League Milestones Luncheon featuring Robin Roberts, April 5
Known for snagging high-profile celebrity speakers, this year's Junior League power lunch will be headlined by Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America. Kathleen Gibson will be honored as Sustainer of the Year at the event, taking place at Omni Dallas Hotel and co-chaired by Sally Pretorius Hodge and Linda Secrest. The luncheon benefits the Junior League of Dallas Community Service Fund, which supports the organization's many civic causes throughout greater Dallas. For more information, tables (starting at $2,500), and tickets (on sale February 5), go here.

robin roberts, good morning america, treasure you GMA's Robin Roberts will be the featured speaker at Junior League's Milestones Luncheon. Photo courtesy of Treasure You

Yellow Rose Gala, April 20
The Yellow Rose Gala flies back onto the calendar with the theme "Fly me to the Cure!" Taking place at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel, the night will feature dinner, cocktails, auctions, and dancing to the tunes of Scherrie Payne, Susaye Greene and Lynda Laurence: Formerly of The Supremes. Jonathan Wright and Sheila Wright-Greene are the event co-chairs who'll help the organization raise money for a cure for MS. The Mike and Diana Miller family are the honorary co-chairs, and the Dee Wynne Courage award will be presented to Susan Lancaster. Tickets (starting at $175 for those age 35 and under) are available here.

Ally's Wish Boots & Blessings Gala, April 27
Ally's Wish is a 10-year-old, lifechanging organization that still flies under the radar — but shouldn't. It grants "last wishes" to terminally ill mothers with young children — a memory for the family that will last a lifetime. Ally's Wish is named for a local young mother named Allyson who passed away of ovarian cancer in 2014. This year's Boots & Blessings Gala will be a "Birthday Ball" celebrating 10 years. The Western-chic night - which typically attracts patrons who are young parents - includes dinner, auctions, cocktails and boot-scooting, at Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin. For more information and tickets (starting at $150), go here.

Ally's Wish presents Boots & Blessings Gala Ally's Wish Boots & Blessings Gala is a Western-chic affair. Photo by Bob Manzano

Day at the Races, May 4
Can't make it to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby? Dallas has the next best thing in this annual soiree starring big hats and mint juleps. Guests should show up to Turtle Creek Park dressed in their Derby best for Southern food and beverages, a silent auction, table games, "wagering," music, dancing, a best-dressed and best-hat competition, and of course, Kentucky Derby viewing. The 2024 event, now it its 16th year, is chaired by Melissa Sherrill Martin and Ross Martin and benefits the work of Turtle Creek Conservancy. For more information and tickets (not yet on sale), go here.

Shelle Wolters, Allison Edwards, Karen Ribar, Jane Marie Jones, Kathryn Moore, Day at the Races Day at the Races calls for Derby attire. Photo by Thomas Garza Photography

CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards, May 16
Save the date for the most delicious foodie event of the season (not that we're biased) and get ready to raise a glass to Dallas' restaurant and bar stars. The annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards is a spring tradition — and tickets will be on sale soon. Join us May 16 at Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) for an evening honoring the very best of Dallas' culinary scene, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a nonprofit partner. More details and ticket info will be revealed soon.

It's time to toast the Dallas Tastemakers of 2023. It's almost time to toast the Dallas Tastemakers of 2024. dallas.culturemap.com

galas luncheons charity fundraisers young professionals

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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