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We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Illuminate & Inspire Changemakers Gala, an incredible opportunity to show your support for local journalism and classical music.

This year’s inaugural gala is shaping up to be an incredible and memorable night.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center

321 W Commerce St.

Evan Smith is a senior advisor at Emerson Collective, working closely with journalists and funders around the country to support local news. He’s also a professor of practice at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches a course on the politics and issues of the moment. He previously spent more than thirteen years at The Texas Tribune, which he co-founded and led as CEO, and nearly eighteen years at Texas Monthly, including nine years as editor in chief and a year as president. He serves on the boards of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, the Austin Film Society, and the LBJ Foundation. A native of New York, he’s a graduate of Hamilton College, which awarded him an honorary degree in 2023, and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, which inducted him into its Hall of Achievement in 2006.
Tori Pool is a Texas writer, comedian and the director of events at Texas Public Radio, where she produces the station’s live storytelling series, Worth Repeating, and other community events. She is a three-time nominee for the San Antonio Current’s Best Stand-Up Comic and the coauthor of the card game Latino Card Revoked. A regular at Texas comedy clubs, Pool has opened for great acts including Alonzo, Mo Amer, Chris Estrada, Melissa Villaseñor, and Tom Green. When she isn’t on stage, Tori enjoys cloud watching and begging her teenage son to just hang out with her.
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Meet Our Changemaker Award Winners

The Illuminate Award is presented to a trailblazer or newsmaker driving meaningful change in San Antonio through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to community engagement. This award honors individuals who are making a profound impact in their field such as education, housing, the arts, healthcare and more.
The Inspire Award is presented to acknowledge a motivational, visionary, and influential leader celebrating their legacy or lifetime of work that empowers and inspires the community.
The Impact Award is presented to a transformational innovator who challenges the status quo, creates positive change, and builds future generations.
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What to Expect

A memorable evening featuring a delicious plated dinner and flowing spirits, along with the chance to participate in exciting silent and live auctions. Together, we’ll celebrate the remarkable changemakers in our community, engage in inspiring conversation with Evan Smith, and make a lasting impact by supporting the local journalism that uplifts and strengthens our community.

Dress: Festive cocktail

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Presenting Trailblazer Sponsor

$50,000

  • Recognition as the Presenting Trailblazer Sponsor in event materials
  • Prominent logo placement on marketing materials and at the event
  • 50 brand spots (to be used within calendar year)
  • 75 on air sponsor mentions mentions 3-5 weeks prior to event (shout outs)
  • 25 post event thank you
  • Full page ad in the event program
  • Opportunity to speak during event (5 minutes)
  • Exclusive gift for each guest at the sponsor's tables
  • Recognition in press releases and on the event website
  • Two Sponsor tables (16 seats)

Illuminate Sponsor

$25,000

  • Recognition as an Illuminate Sponsor event materials
  • 30 brand spots (to be used within calendar year)
  • 25 on air sponsor mentions 3-5 weeks prior to event (shout outs)
  • 10 post event thank you
  • Logo placement on marketing materials and at the event
  • Half page ad in the event program
  • Recognition in press releases and on the event website
  • Exclusive gift for each guest at the sponsor's table
  • One Sponsor table (8 seats)

Inspire Sponsor

$15,000

  • Recognition as an Inspire Sponsor in event materials
  • 15 brand spots (to be used within calendar year)
  • 10 on air sponsor mentions 3-5 weeks prior to event (shout outs)
  • 5 post event thank you
  • Logo placement on marketing materials and at the event
  • Quarter page ad in the event program
  • Recognition on the event website
  • One Sponsor table (8 seats)

Newsmaker Sponsor

$10,000

  • Recognition as a Newsmaker Sponsor in event materials
  • 10 brand spots (to be used within calendar year)
  • 10 on air sponsor mentions 3-5 weeks prior to event (shout outs)
  • 5 post event thank you
  • Logo placement at the event
  • Quarter page ad in the event program
  • One Sponsor table (8 seats)

Storyteller Sponsor

$5,000

  • Recognition as a Storyteller Sponsor in event materials
  • 5 on air sponsor mentions 3-5 weeks prior to event (shout outs)
  • 5 post event thank you
  • Logo placement at the event
  • Mention in the event program
  • One Sponsor table (8 seats)
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Seating

VIP Tickets - $1,000 

Includes 1 Gala ticket, dinner, wine & beer, participation in the silent & live auctions, and an exclusive gift

Individual Tickets - $250

Includes 1 Gala ticket, dinner, wine & beer, participation in the silent & live auctions

Premium - All In Business Membership $2,950

All In Business Membership $2,950 - Includes 2 VIP tickets, dinner, wine & beer, participation in the silent & live auctions, an exclusive gift, and 1 Business All In Annual Membership

Nonprofit Rate - Premium - All In Business Membership $1,850

All In Business Membership $1,850 - Includes 1 VIP ticket, dinner, wine & beer, and participation in the Silent and Live Auctions & an Exclusive Gift and 1 Business All In (Nonprofit Rate) Annual Membership

To request an invoice or pay by check, please contact liz@tpr.org.

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Underwriting

*Underwriting benefits will be determined based on fair market value of support. Please email James Pickens at jpickens@tpr.org for more information

Print Sponsor - Provides print materials to include programs, art prints, signage, silent auction signage

Valet Sponsor - Provides valet for 280 guests

Wine/Beer/Tequila Toast Sponsor - Provides wine, beer, and tequila toast for guests

AV Sponsor - provides audio/visual support for our Gala

Centerpiece/Floral Sponsor - Provides centerpieces for 35 tables and some florals for ambience

Entertainment Sponsor - Provides entertainment for our Gala

Exclusive Gift Sponsor - Provides exclusive gift designed with Gala Committee and Team

What we need from sponsors:

High resolution logo in png format in color, black & white & transparent background.

Confirmation of sponsorship needed by 3/20/2025 to ensure inclusion in our printed event program.

Social media ad image size 1080x1080

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Silent Auction

To make our inaugural gala a success, we are reaching out to local businesses, entertainment, artists, and individuals to donate items or services to be auctioned off. Your contribution directly supports our mission to create a better future for everyone through quality public radio programming and education.