Evening of Hope & Igniting Hope

Expanding Hope – Two nights, two incredible events

Thanks to your amazing support, last year’s Evening and Igniting Hope events raised over $1.22 million to fund groundbreaking mental illness research and we can’t wait to build on that momentum next year!

In 2026, we will continue to expand hope with two nights of back-to-back unforgettable events.

Stay tuned for keynote speaker announcements and other event details!

Take a look at our 2025 Gala video to see the powerful work your support is making possible.

Evening of Hope

Wednesday, September 10, 2025
6:00pm

The elegant Evening of Hope Gala will take place at the resplendent Pavilion at the Angus Barn on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The Gala will feature a celebrity keynote speaker, Helen Hunt, Academy and Emmy award winning actress, director and mental health advocate who will share her lived experience about the importance of supporting friends and family challenged with mental health and addiction issues.

Igniting Hope

Thursday, September 11, 2025
6:00pm

Igniting Hope will be a fun, casual night of dinner and dancing to Soul Psychedelique held at the beautiful Pavilion at the Angus Barn on Thursday, September 11, 2025. This spectacular event will celebrate Carolina charm, highlighting the best that NC has to offer plus the opportunity to dance the night away in support of mental illness research. This extravaganza will be a night to remember!

For more information about Igniting Hope and the Evening of Hope, or to reserve your seats at either night, please call our office at 919-781-9255. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Igniting Hope

Igniting Hope will be a casual, fun, and festive celebration with dinner and dancing featuring music from Soul Psychedelique Orchestra as we highlight the best that North Carolina has to offer, all in support of mental illness research.

This spectacular evening at the rustic, open-air Pavilion at the Angus Barn will be one to remember with a southern culinary experience, Carolina charm, inspiring remarks, live auction, and the opportunity to dance the night away. Guests will also have access to our silent auction and the chance to bid on special items only available at Igniting Hope.

Tickets to Igniting Hope are $250 each, and tables of 10 seats are $2,500. Space will be limited – don’t miss this special night!

Evening of Hope

An annual charity dinner and auction benefiting The Foundation of Hope, the Evening of Hope Gala takes place at the resplendent Pavilion at the Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event features an elegant four-course dinner served with exceptional wine pairings, as well as a live auction, a silent auction, and keynote speaker Helen Hunt.

Our September 2025 gala will be an intimate, sophisticated event for 420 guests, and celebrity key note speaker, Helen Hunt. The night will also include a live and silent auction, full of unique curated items, including wine, fabulous getaways and experiences, and exquisite home decor.

Individual seats for the Evening of Hope Gala are $750 each and tables of 10 seats are $7,500. Early responses are recommended. Space will be limited to ensure an incomparable experience for all guests.

Gala History

The first Evening of Hope was held in 1992 at the home of Alice Eure, the co-founder of the Foundation of Hope. Even though Alice is no longer with us, her spirit, generosity and incredible desire to make a difference remain forever present in all that we do.

Through the years, the Foundation has been fortunate to bring exceptional advocates of mental health as our keynote speakers at the Evening of Hope.

Past speakers have included Wynonna Judd, Marie Osmond, LeAnn Rimes, Elizabeth Vargas, and Brooke Shields, each sharing powerful personal stories of resilience and healing. Other notable guests have included Jane Pauley, Zak Williams, Judy Collins, Mariel Hemingway, Ashley Judd, and Dennis Quaid—all united by a commitment to breaking stigma and sparking hope.

EVENING OF HOPE & IGNITING HOPE SPONSORSHIPS

Are you a business or individual interested in sponsoring the Evening of Hope and Igniting Hope? We’d be grateful for your help! Click the button below to learn more about the benefits of becoming a Foundation of Hope event sponsor. The work of the Foundation of Hope would not be possible without the generous support of our local and national sponsors.

We are grateful for tax-deductible donations of cash or in-kind contributions, and we make every effort to promote our sponsors’ involvement with the Foundation.

We partner with businesses for year-round support and event-specific donations of time, goods, funds and/or manpower.

If you are interested in sponsoring the 2025 Evening of Hope and Igniting Hope events, please call us at 919-781-9255 or email Blair at blair@walkforhope.com.

2025 EOH-IH SPONSORSHIP PACKET

Our 2025 Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Speaker Sponsors

Hope Sponsor

Auction Sponsors

Pavilion Sponsors

Reception Sponsor

Paddle Sponsor

Travel Sponsor

Band Sponsors

Program Sponsors

Beverage Sponsor

AV Sponsor

Thank You to Our Generous Auction Donors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of the individuals and businesses listed below for their generous contributions to our auction. Your support makes it possible to strengthen our mission and fund breakthrough mental illness research.

Al Thomas – Legacy Woodworking
Arrow Tree Boutique
Bald Head Blues
Beaufort Charters
Bentwinds Country Club
Bettie Goodwin
Big Air Raleigh
Blue Water Spa
Bob Rankin
Brier Creek Country Club
Buffaloe Lanes North
Bulluck Furniture Company
California Closets-Raleigh
Cantina 18
Carla Parker Hollis
Carolina Ballet
Carolina Exotic Car Club
Carolina Hurricanes
Chapel Hill Restaurant Group
Charlotte Motor Speedway
City of Oaks Catering
Corneille Little
Country Club of Landfall
Courtyard by Marriot Riverfront New Bern
Crumbl Cookies
Currey & Company
Dean and Gail Bunce
Debbie Robbins
Deep River Sporting Clays and Shooting School
Design by Tula
Diamonds Direct
DRINK
Drybar
Elite Island Resorts
Emily Webb Design
Fallon’s Flowers
Fleur Boutique
Game on Escapes & More
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Goodnights Comedy Club
Green Front Furniture
Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa
Hampton Inn in Wrightsville Beach
Hand & Stone Message and Facial Spa
Henk Schuitemaker
Highsmith Wine and Wanderings, LLC
Homewood Nursery & Garden Center