Center Dinner

At a critical moment for LGBTQ+ rights, dignity, and opportunity, our community must come together in solidarity. Center Dinner is The Center’s signature LGBTQ+ nonprofit fundraising gala, raising vital funds to sustain life-saving programs and services. This annual gala, held at the iconic Cipriani Wall Street, brings together community members and allies to celebrate leaders and advocates whose work advances justice, equity, and safety for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.

Join us!

Center Dinner Co-Chairs James Goldrick, Jill Schlesinger, Jeffrey Schneider, Mitch Stein, and Nathan Stein invite you to join us on Thursday, April 16, 2026 for our annual Center Dinner gala.

Join us as we celebrate The Center’s historic impact throughout New York, reinforce our commitment to growth in the future, and honor the leadership of those who fight alongside us for LGBTQ+ rights, dignity, and opportunity.

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
6 p.m. Cocktail Hour
7 p.m. Dinner & Program
The evening will conclude by 10 p.m.

Location: Cipriani Wall Street (55 Wall Street)

Festive cocktail attire

Featuring

Brendan Brady

Honoree

Executive Producer
Heated Rivalry

Melanie C

Performer

Singer, Songwriter, DJ

Gilead Sciences

Honoree

Ken Ohashi

Honoree

Brand Chief Executive Officer
Brooks Brothers

Rachel Reid

Special Guest

New York Times Best Selling Author of the Game Changers series

Jacob Tierney

Honoree

Creator, Writer, Director, & Executive Producer
Heated Rivalry

Tickets & Sponsorships Available Now

For more information, please contact Brian Doyle, Director of Special Events & Corporate Partnerships, at [email protected].

Buy Now

Corporate Sponsorship

For more information, please contact Brian Doyle, Director of Special Events and Corporate Partnerships, at [email protected].

Lead Sponsor $50,000

Two preferred tables of ten (10) tickets each (20 tickets total)
Full screen ad in the digital journal presented on screens during the event
Logo placement on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage
Verbal recognition from the stage during remarks
Opportunity to partner with The Center on activation or elevated visibility at the event (subject to discussion)

Trailblazer Sponsor $25,000

One preferred table of ten (10) tickets
Full screen ad in the digital journal presented on screens during the event
Logo placement on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage
Verbal recognition from the stage during remarks
Opportunity to partner with The Center on activation or elevated visibility at the event (subject to discussion)

Palladium Sponsor $15,000

One table of ten (10) tickets
Full screen ad in the digital journal presented on screens during the event
Logo placement on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage
Verbal recognition from the stage during remarks

Premier Sponsor $10,000

Six (6) tickets to the event
Full screen ad in the digital journal presented on screens during the event
Logo placement on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Supporting Sponsor $5,000

Four (4) tickets to the event
Full screen ad in the digital journal presented on screens during the event
Logo placement on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Individual Sponsorship

For more information, please contact Leah Munnelly, Deputy Director of Philanthropy, at [email protected].

Change Maker $50,000

Two (2) tables (20 tickets) with a premium location, which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Recognition from podium during event
Full-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Trailblazer $25,000

One table (10 tickets) with a premium location, which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Full-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Trendsetter $15,000

One table (10 tickets), which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Full-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Influencer $10,000

Six (6) tickets, which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Full-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Innovator $5,000

Four (4) tickets, which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Half-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Sustainer $2,500

Two (2) tickets, which include cocktail hour (6 p.m.), dinner (7 p.m.), and the program
Half-screen ad in digital sponsor loop night-of
Membership in The Center’s Leadership Society
Listing on e-communications, event webpage, and onsite signage

Unable to attend?

Donations can be made if you are unable to attend and/or looking to make a gift in someone's honor.

Make a Gift

Thank you to the dedicated group of philanthropists whose generosity helps make Center Dinner possible.

Co-Chairs

James Goldrick
Jill Schlesinger
Jeffrey Schneider
Mitch Stein
Nathan Stein

Host Committee

Chris Constable
Ben Djaha
Bradley Kelly
Russ Korins
Michael Maloof
Patrick Rose
Eric Viner & Dr. Jordan Wise

Leadership Society

Trailblazers
Benson Cohen
Jeffrey Gates & Michael Moran
James Goldrick
Sarah Gray & Gavin Simms
The Ohashi-Freed Family
Matt Pisanelli
Jill Schlesinger & Jacqueline LiCalzi
Jeffrey Schneider & Jeffery Povero
Anthony Thompson

Trendsetters
Alton Bader
Michael Broadbery & Angelo Umali
Will & Max Grove
Samuel Rosenblatt & Mario D’Andrea
Conor Kennedy Ryan & China Young
Tom Scanlan
Dr. Jan Siegmund & Dr. Ben Maddox
Rahul Tripathi

Influencers
Keith Champagne & Paul Gruber
Mary Obasi
Ryan Offutt
Julie Soto
Miles L. Tyrrell

Innovators
Dr. Kris Bungay & Jim O’Sullivan
Chuck Burke & Jonathan Stark
James Dale & David Lam
Frank Godchaux & Daniel Hirunrusme
Corey Kosak
Christopher & Gary Mandly
Terrence McNally Foundation
Ryan Pedlow & Cameron Kessel
Edward Rivera & Evan Bachner
Dr. Carla Smith & Jacqueline Andujar
Nathan Stein
Chris Williams

Sustainers
Amida Care
Seth Baird & Stuart Lopez Baird
Marc Chalet & James Ting
Marty Chavez
John Davidson & Bandar Alturkmani
Jamie Drake
Kristine Frost
Olu Howard
Jesse Jentzen
Semra Kebede
The Keith Haring Foundation
Sophia Lukito & Anne Marie Horne
Collin MacLean
L.J. Mitchell
Christopher Page
Elaine Rocha & Dawn Curran
Mitch Stein

Presenting

Lead

Trailblazer

Official Airline

Official Healthcare Partner

Palladium

Premier

Supporting

Frequently Asked Questions

I need accessibility accommodations. Who do I contact?

To request an accommodation for this event or with any questions, please contact Brian Doyle, Director of Special Events, at [email protected] by April 1.

What does an Individual Ticket come with?

Individual tickets are $1,000 and include cocktail hour, a three-course meal, and the evening’s program featuring awards, auctions, and an exclusive performance.

How do I become a sponsor?

Please contact Reneysh Vittal, Corporate Partnerships Manager, at [email protected].

Is there the dress code?

The event is festive cocktail attire, but feel free to check out last year’s photos for inspiration!

Will there be alcohol served?

Yes, alcohol will be served at the event. Drinks are included with your ticket.

See more Center Dinner photos

Take a look

Impact on Community Members

"I am here because The Center saved my life. And that is not a joke. In four weeks, May 12th, it will be 7 years since my last drink... I would like to thank my team, from Center Recovery who have supported me for over 10 years."
- Murray Hill, 2022 Center Dinner speaker