With Chelsea Clinton as our featured speaker, and Silicon Valley business leaders Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg in attendance, we held our 2nd annual igNITE gala on Friday, November 16th, celebrating the new model of philanthropy in the Bay Area.
"The evening is far more important than simply raising money for worthy causes," said Kiki Mills Johnston, CEO of Full Circle Fund. "Our supporters and our partners are looking at innovative ways to create systemic change and, in the process, improve the lives of millions of people for generations to come. This is the new model of philanthropy, where the ideas we can generate are far more powerful than the money we can raise."
It is no coincidence that this year's igNITE gala was held the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel in Menlo Park, California, long known as a gathering place of the "Titans of Tech". On November 16th, these "titans" were gathered there to celebrate the visionary social entrepreneurs, organizations and ideas changing lives for the better in the Bay Area.
"There is no greater compliment we can ever receive than the validation and support of our peers in the tech community, all of whom have helped transform our world, from the way we do business to the way we connect with each other," said Josh Becker, Chairman of the Board, Full Circle Fund. "Like all Silicon Valley innovations, Full Circle Fund began as an idea, where leaders could come together to combat issues affecting communities across the Bay Area. In the process, we have grown into a global force for change."
View and purchase prints of more photos here.
The evening included an elegant cocktail reception, where there was also the opportunity to purchase an elegant Tiffany Blue Box for a chance to win a sparkling diamond pendant and Breakfast at Tiffany’s for twenty guests! All proceeds benefited Full Circle Fund. In the ballroom, guests were treated to a delicious dining experience prepared under the Michelin-starred Madera Restaurant, paired with limited-production wines from two of the region's finest producers: Saintsbury and Trivium.
Honorary Event Co-Chair Sheryl Sandberg introduced Chelsea Clinton, our featured speaker, who shared her perspectives on philanthropy and innovation, stating, "I think Full Circle Fund's model of focusing on disruptive innovations that can be systemically durable is really the right one."
We also welcomed our grant partner, social entrepreneur Dr. Louise Bay Waters of Leadership Public Schools to speak on the topic of education. Louise invited student Nevin Lal to share his incredible personal story. Watch the videos below for full talks! Volunteer Auctioneer Mark Buell led the Fund A Need portion of the evening, where generous guests had a chance to make pledges to support Full Circle Fund. Afterwards, guests headed to an After Party, with a DJ, more cocktails and wine, and a cozy heated patio to keep out the rain.
Since our founding, Full Circle Fund has enjoyed the support of various corporate partners, who have married their quest for greater profits to their desire to generate positive social change in the communities they serve. Like Full Circle Fund, these companies have established themselves as leaders in this new wave of corporate philanthropy. Notable partners included Qualcomm, Abbot Downing, ICONIQ Capital, Microsoft, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Executive Medicine, and Tiffany & Co.
Videos
Featured Guest
Chelsea Clinton
Special Correspondent, NBC News Board Member, William J. Clinton Foundation
Chelsea Clinton has worked at McKinsey & Company and Avenue Capital and studied at Stanford, Oxford and Columbia Universities. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at Oxford, working at New York University and working with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative and is a special correspondent for NBC News. Chelsea serves on the boards of the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the School of American Ballet, Common Sense Media and the Weill Cornell Medical College. She and her husband, Marc, live in New York City.
Event Brochure
Visionary Sponsor
Innovating Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Erikka & Geoffrey Arone | Mark Jacobstein | Robin Joy |
Sheryl Sandberg & David Goldberg
Steve Schoettler | Sarah Wigglesworth & Asiff Hirji
In Kind Sponsors
Thank You
This event would not have been possible without the generosity of and support from the following people: Louise Bay Waters and Nevin Lal of Leadership Public Schools, Jorge Blandón of Family Independence Initiative, Shari Clenard of The Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, Honore Comfort of Sonoma County Vintners, Jan DiNuoscio and Stefanie Lingle Beasley of Gentry Magazine, Kiah Williams of SIRUM, and Brian Neel and Terri Robbins Tiffany of Tiffany & Co. We'd also like to thank Bari Lurie, Rachel Adler, Elaine Mellis, Patty Rock & John Fetzer, Diana Skurka, Heidi Soldinger, Susan Solinsky, Caitlin Stuart, Square, our Lead Volunteer Amy Hansell, and our event volunteer team Caroline Bas, Kirstyn Bay, Christa Brown, Lucia Casaravilla, Erika Castro, Christine Gerchow, Julie Henson, Berndt Jung, Catherine Kelliher, Colette Kessler, Lindsay Norcott, Jenni Peterson, Sarah Qian, and Gurpreet Tung.
Special Offers
Give back and share the wine! Exclusively for Full Circle Fund, Saintsbury has selected two vintages of their Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir and put them together in a holiday gift offering! For the month of December 2012, Saintsbury will contribute 15 percent of proceeds purchased from this link to Full Circle Fund. Start your wine shopping and support Full Circle Fund!
Complete the Circle with 2009 Trivium Cabernet Sauvignon! As thanks for your contribution to Full Circle Fund, Trivium invites all igNITE attendees to a complimentary tailgate tasting and picnic at their historic vineyard in St. Helena. To join them for this exclusive al fresco event in the olive grove next spring, email Trivium and they'll send you a save the date and invitation. And if you enjoyed their 2009 Cabernet- featured at the 2012 gala, visit Trivium Wine to place your order.
