Spark Ventures 2026 Fall Gala
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Honoring the Past,
Investing in the Future
One Vision. Four Partners.
Sustaining Lasting Impact.
WHEN
Thursday, October 15, 2026
6:00 – 10:00 PM | Cocktail Attire
WHERE
The Dalcy
302 N. Green St., 3rd Floor, Chicago
Raffle – Win a Paris Getaway
Experience the timeless elegance of Paris with a 5-night stay at a 4-star boutique hotel located in the city center, perfect for exploring the “City of Light” at your own pace. Your getaway begins and ends with private airport arrival and departure transfers, making your travel seamless from start to finish.
Your Paris getaway includes two unforgettable musts:
Seine River Cruise: Enjoy a one-hour sightseeing cruise along the Seine River with an audio guide, taking in some of Paris’s most beautiful and iconic landmarks from the water. Cruise past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, the Louvre, and more.
Louvre Museum Tour: Discover the masterpieces of the Louvre on a 3-hour, semi-private guided tour with priority access. Led by an art historian, you’ll gain invaluable insight into the masterpieces and history of the Louvre. Of course, no visit would be complete without seeing the world-famous Mona Lisa.
When you’re not exploring, enjoy plenty of free time to experience Paris your way. Wander through charming arrondissements, browse local boutiques, linger over a glass of wine at a neighborhood cafe, visit other iconic landmarks, or simply soak up the atmosphere of the city at an unhurried pace.
*Use by December 31, 2027
**Does not include airfare to and from Paris
Can’t attend? Donate today and support our Fall Gala from wherever you are!
An Evening at The Dalcy
Kick off the evening reconnecting with longtime friends and meeting new ones who share a passion for Spark and our partners. Grab a drink, enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, and visit the Travel Table to learn more about where our partnerships take us. Wine, beer, and a cash bar will be available to keep the evening flowing!
Take your seat and settle in for a delicious plated dinner and meaningful conversation with those at your table. It’s also a perfect time to stop by the Wine Pull table to buy a mystery bottle before they’re all gone!
Our program starts by honoring that first journey to Zambia and celebrating the impactful programming taking place across our partner communities. Hear directly from program participants as they share how Spark’s partners have made a difference in their lives and community. You’ll also have a chance to contribute to our partners’ work, and don’t forget to bid during our live auction to win an incredible experience.
The evening doesn’t end there! Stick around for our Dalcy afterparty with lively music, drinks, and plenty of time to keep the conversation going. Celebrate a great night with an even better group of people!
From One Trip to Now
Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future
One Vision. Four Partners. Lasting Sustainable Impact.
20 years ago, our co-founders took a life-changing trip to Zambia. This trip sparked the idea for Spark Ventures and inspired the partnership-driven model that continues to guide our work.
Over the last 19 years, Spark has invested in sustainable solutions that empower under-resourced communities around the world, partnering with grassroots organizations in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chicago. We are honored to walk alongside our partners as they do transformative work in their communities.
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We are inviting you to our 2026 Fall Gala to honor that first journey that led to Spark Ventures and invest in our partners’ future as they continue creating lasting sustainable impact.
By attending, you will help support the vision of providing sustainable access to education, nutrition, healthcare and employment for under-resourced communities. Join us and celebrate!
Purchase Event Tickets
Event Sponsors
For more information on sponsoring our Fall Gala, check out our Event Sponsorship Package or contact Spark’s Event & Communications Manager, Julia Sistachs, at [email protected] with any questions.
Presenting Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Meet Our Partners
Hope Community School
Las Tías
Entreamigos
We Grow Chicago
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Constance Benrud (Chair)
Julie Cook (Vice Chair)
Tumsheen Quereshi (Treasurer)
Carol Thompson (Secretary)
Scott Barbeau (Co-founder)
Sue Bernstein
Michael Campbell
Doak Elliott
Richard Johnson (Co-founder)
Jennifer Kim
Lisa Madonia
Daniel Marcus (Co-founder)
Ramon Munoz
Patti O’Neil
Hannah Prevost-Schultz
Leon Reed
Kristin Schrepferman (Executive Director)
Julie Tafel Klaus
Stacy Wells
Kathy Campbell Wolf
EVENTS COMMITTEE
Constance Benrud
Michael Campbell
Julie Cook
Kevin Cook
Abigail Kanes
Elizabeth Kent
Jennifer Kim
Lisa Madonia
Kristin Schrepferman (Executive Director)
Abi Sensmeier (Operations Associate)
Julia Sistachs (Events & Communications Manager)
Julie Tafel Klaus
Carol Thompson
Cassandra Wade