Your bucks go a lot further at one of these worthwhile East End fundraisers. Help your community in whatever way hits your heart center — and have fun doing it!
South Fork Bakery’s “Spring into Opportunity,” Saturday, May 9, 4 to 7 p.m.
You’ve eaten the cookies; you know the amazing work done by this awesome organization founded by Shirley Ruch to give young adults with disabilities a path to meaningful employment and purpose. Head to The Parrish Art Museum (270 Montauk Highway, Water Mill) to support the work of this bolstering not-for-profit so they can keep doing the great work they do. Not only will it be a fun night of music, cocktails and other sips and light bites, you also get a museum tour to boot. Tickets start at $300; click here to reserve your spot.
Southampton Fresh Air Home 34th Annual Decorators-Designers-Dealers Sale and Auction Benefit, Saturday, May 30, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Supporting year-round programs and summer camp for kids and young adults with physical disabilities, this super fun (dare we say slightly competitive?!) auction and cocktail party puts exquisite antiques, designer furniture, rare wines and other goodies up for grabs (and, most importantly, to benefit this wonderful 125-year-old organization). Tickets start at $300; get yours and more information here.
The Church Summer Dinner Theater Benefit, Saturday, June 6, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Leave it to the old whaling village’s cool art hub, The Church (48 Madison St., Sag Harbor) to throw a speech-easy, entertainment heavy fundraiser that makes you feel like your getting as much as you’re giving. This year’s evening of excellence stars Martha Wainwright in her only performance on the East End this summer. And bonus: local singer/songwriter, the very talented Inda Eaton, will kick things off with a performance at the cocktail hour, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150 for the cocktail hour, and $650 for the main event. Get yours here.
Project MOST “Make the Most of Every Day” 2026 Summer Benefit, Sunday, June 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
Honor the great work of Project Most, which has been helping foster enriching the academic, creative and emotional world of our local kids for two decades. This year’s benefit honors after-school education advocate Joe O’Connell n the gorgeous gardens at Moby’s (341 Pantigo Road, East Hampton) Tickets start at $150 for an individual; $250 for a couple; and 25 bucks for kids. Click here for yours.
Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center Welcome to Summer Benefit, Friday, June 26
Held at the historic Mulford Farm in East Hampton, this feel-good annual seasonal fundraiser helps fund affordable childcare and provides a positive, engaging learning environment for kids ages 18 months to four years old. is worth checking back on and supporting. It’s also worth buying tickets early: regular admission is $200 now and $100 for those 40 and under; and $75 for WEECC parents and alumni. If that’s still a little too steep, they’re also offering a pay what you can ticket starting at 50 bucks which gets you a great night of delicious food, drink, music and of course, awesome vibes. Click here to get in on this great night.
Sylvester Manor Farm-to-Table Benefit, Saturday, June 27 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Celebrate all the good work that this historical estate and farm does as an educational and farming resource. This event, held on the grounds of the original Manor House (80 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island), you get a waterside sunset view of Gardiners Creek, an outstanding cocktail hour with fresh oysters and clams, delicious small bites and cocktails, a sit-down dinner made by none other than Lauren Lombardi and East End Entertainment’s DJ Michael spinning to get you up on the dancefloor. Tickets start at $600; nab yours here.
All Against Abuse Benefit, Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, June 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Support the tireless work of this safe haven for families seeking help from domestic abuse. This year’s All Against Abuse Benefit at the Southampton Arts Center (75 Jobs Lane, Southampton) honors advocate Gail Rothwell, and tickets start at $750. Get yours here.
Bay Street Theater’s 2026 Summer Gala, Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m.
Okay all you Hamilton devotees — Bay Street’s annual gala is a fan’s dream come true. Honoring none other than Lin-Manuel Miranda with their Julie Andrews Lifetime Achievement Award, come rub shoulders with the In the Heights creator and Broadway star. Tickets haven’t been released yet, but check back here to make sure you get yours when their ready for purchase.
South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center’s 37th Annual Summer Gala, Saturday, July 11, 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Celebrate conservation of our beautiful area at the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton). Founded in 1988 in order to spread the word on our incredible natural resources here on the East End (and teach us how to take care of it), this year’s benefit tickets start at $1,500 for dinner, dancing and a year-long individual membership, valued at $60. Get your tickets here.
Shelter Island History Museum Red, White and Blue 250th Gala, Saturday, July 18, 6 to 10 p.m.
A night under the stars in the lovely Artemas Ward Garden on Shelter Island celebrating (and bolstering!) the great work of the keepers of Shelter Island’s fascinating history? Yes, please! Start the evening with freshly shucked local oysters from the Shelter Island Shuckers followed by local land-and-sea pro Ray Congdon, who will be providing an old-fashioned clam bake for the evening. Dancing at a SIHM event is always a must, and music for the night will be thanks to Erich Carey & the Constituency. Tickets are $400; get yours here!
Parrish Art Museum’s “A Night in the Clouds” Midsummer Gala Dinner and Afterglow Party, Saturday, July 18, 5:30 p.m. to midnight
This year’s fête honors the work of philanthropist Ellen Katz, and features the artists Enoc Perez, Joan Semmel, Hiroshi Sugimoto, with a special memorial nod to Pat Steir at The Parrish (279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill). Come for the delicious dinner and stay for the after-hours dancing with music by Jarrell Entertainment. The best part: Proceeds go to support all the great educational initiative, exhibitions and programs that support the creative spark of our East End communities. Individual dinner tickets start at $2,750; or just head skip the vittles and go straight to stomping for $350 a pop. Secure your spot here.
The Ellen Hermanson Summer Gala, Friday, July 24, 6:45 to 11:30 p.m.
Breast cancer affects so many women on the East End, it makes the work of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation a vital part of the health of communities. This year’s gala honors Geralyn Lucas, author of the inspiring memoir Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy. Held at the Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club, tickets start at $750 for the under-39 set. Get yours here.
Hetrick-Martin Institute’s “School’s Out” party, Saturday, July 25, 5:00-10:00 p.m.
More than ever, queer and trans kids are vulnerable and at-risk in access to physical and mental, homelessness and as targets of racism and access to healthcare among the list. The Hetrick-Martin Institute is the country’s oldest LGBTQIA+ youth organization, offering support services for kids 13 to 24. This year’s fundraiser is being generously hosted by Marcus, Christopher and Richie Brown at their Water Mill home, and chaired by Shelter Island’s own Benjamin Dixon, Bryan Ludwig and Tonia Steck. Pre-sale tickets start at $395 for just the cocktail party (and the synchronized swimmers!)) — get yours here.
Southampton Hospital Foundation’s 68th Annual Summer Party, August 1, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
They’re always there for you and your loved ones; now you can be there for them. Benefitting Southampton Hospital and the Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department, this night of dining and dancing under the big tent (31 Wickapogue Road, Southampton) \ Individual tickets start at $2,000. Get yours here.
Guild Hall’s 2024 Summer Gala, Friday, August 7, 6 to 11 p.m.
How could you not want to support the wonderful Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton) and all their excellent, year-round programming? Honoring executive director Andrea Grover’s 10th anniversary at GH, tickets are $2,000 for the full evening of festivities. Plunk down some cash for yours here.
ARF Hampton’s Bow Wow Meow Ball, Saturday, August 15, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Help ARF keep their 50-plus year mission of saving vulnerable dogs and cats, and finding them forever homes, with dinner and dancing in the William P. Raynor Training Center. This year’s benefit honors the work of Lisa McCarthy. Tickets start at $2,000 and you can get yours here.
Southampton Arts Center annual SummerFest Gala, Saturday, August 22, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Support the great exhibitions and community-minded programming at SAC, this year honoring John Paulson and Alina de Almeida. And if you buy your ticket before June 1, your name will be included in a nice nod in the digital invitation (sweet!). Eat, drink and dance the night away at 25 Jobs Lane.
