Our Story is Your Story
Join us for an unforgettable evening of storytelling, connection and impact where our journey becomes yours.
PoP Gala 2026: Tell Our Story invites you to invest in the dreams of students and our shared promise of global education.
Dress Code
Cocktail Attire
Location
Date
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time
6:00 PM VIP Reception
7:00 PM Cocktails
7:45 PM Dinner & Auction
PoP Impact Award Honorees
This yearโs PoP Impact Award honors Nancy & Ralph Casazzone and their family.
This honor recognizes PoP supporters who have had a tangible and lasting effect on the organization over the years. As early supporters of PoPโs work, they modeled philanthropy for their family and others ensuring that generosity becomes a lived tradition rather than a one-time act.
PoP Family Award Honoree
For our PoP Family Award, PoP is excited to honor Jocelyn Kmet.
This honor recognizes a current or former PoP team member, donor or partner who embodies the spirit of PoP and who weaves PoPโs values into their life. As one of PoPโs earliest employees, Jocelyn grew our mission and embodied the fire needed to turn a vision into reality, sparking joy and interest in a new generation of givers and educating them on the power of PoPโs work.
PoP Community Award
The 2026 Community Award is for the individuals who have created critical mass and long-term impact: the PoP Campaigners.
Campaigners have raised over $20M for global education since 2008. They have done everything from ultramarathons and treks across Mongolia to elementary school bake sales and wedding gift donations. The PoP Campaigners are proof that a committed group of individuals can create lasting change.
Gala Tables & Sponsorships
PROMISE SPONSOR
$100,000
Donation to Pencils of Promise
Promise Sponsors help meaningfully transform a community through PoPโs proven interventions โ including quality education, WASH programs, and teacher support โ across Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos.
Includes two tables for 10 guests with premier seating.
Promise Sponsorship
Benefits Include:
- Two tables for 10 guests with premier seating
- Seating with special guest/s (as available)
- Two top-shelf bottles of choice for your table
- Opportunity to mingle and sit with PoPโs Country Directors (as available)
- Name/logo featured as a Promise Sponsor on all printed materials, social media, and the Gala microsite
- Verbal recognition as a Promise Sponsor at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
- Name/logo placement on the Step & Repeat for the VIP Red Carpet at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
- Opportunity to dedicate a school in Ghana, Guatemala, or Laos, with the opportunity to join others on an Impact Trip
- Special branding opportunity during cocktail hour at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
Please email gala@pencilsofpromsie.org to purchase.
WISH SPONSOR
$50,000
Donation to Pencils of Promise
Wish Sponsors help meaningfully transform a community through PoPโs proven interventions โ including WASH programs, and teacher support โ across Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos.
Includes one table for 10 guests with premier seating.
Wish Sponsorship
Benefits Include:
- One table for 10 with premier seating
- Two top-shelf bottles of choice
- Name/logo listed as a Wish Sponsor on all printed materials, social media and Gala microsite
- Opportunity to join an exclusive virtual call with a PoP Country Director
- Verbal recognition as a Wish Sponsor at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
- Special branding opportunity during cocktail hour at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
- Opportunity to dedicate a classroom in Ghana, Guatemala, or Laos
Please email gala@pencilsofpromsie.org to purchase.
IMAGINATION SPONSOR
$25,000
Donation to Pencils of Promise
Imagination Sponsors help meaningfully transform a community through PoPโs proven program interventions โ including WASH programs, and teacher support โ across Ghana, Guatemala, and Laos.
Includes one table for 10 guests with preferred seating.
Imagination Sponsorship
Benefits Include:
- One table for 10 with preferred seating
- Two bottles of selected champagne
- Name/logo listed as an Imagination Sponsor on all printed materials, social media and Gala microsite
- Recognition as an Imagination Sponsor at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
Please email gala@pencilsofpromsie.org to purchase.
LOVE SPONSOR
$15,000
Donation to Pencils of Promise
Love Sponsors are partnered with a school community in Ghana, Guatemala or Laos to provide desks, chairs and furniture for PoP classrooms.
.
Includes one table for 10 guests.
Love Sponsorship
Benefits Include:
- One table for 10
- Name/logo listed as a Love Sponsor on all printed materials, social media, and Gala microsite
- Recognition as a Love Sponsor
at PoP Gala: Tell Our Story
Please email gala@pencilsofpromsie.org to purchase.
2025 Host Committee
Adam Braun, Founder and Board Chairman, & Tehillah Braun
Brad Haugen
Brittny & Eric Knight
Brooke & Jeremy Morton
Dana & Robert Hamwee
Emily Bonfiglio
Erin Frankel
Gabe Bourgeois
Gary Vaynerchuk
James Algate
Jim Carter III
Jim Kwik
Jocelyn & Brian Kmet
Julia Baldwin
Lisa & Ricky Novak
Louise & Steve Sintra
Mimi Chan
Nancy & Ralph Casazzone
Natalie & Hoolie Tejwani
Scott “Scooter” Braun
Stephanie Jones
Susan & Ervin Braun
Tammy Farley
The Womble Family
VaynerX
Yawa Hansen-Quao
2025 Sponsor
Can't Attend the Event?
Pencils of Promise
1115 Broadway, 12th Floor,
New York, NY 10010
212.777.3170
gala@pencilsofpromise.org
ยฉ2008 โ 2026 Pencils of Promise, a U.S. 501c3 charity