At ChecklistDC, our new year’s resolution for 2018 was to volunteer more. To keep ourselves in check, we compiled a list of (mostly) black tie events and galas in the DC-area that you can volunteer at and attend for free. This list is sorted chronologically by event date.
Does your organization need volunteers for a charity gala? Email [email protected] to be featured on this page.
February 2018
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation—22nd Annual Joker’s Wild Casino
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Dr, Tysons, VA 22102
The 22nd Annual Joker’s Wild Casino Night will offer 250 guests from the Metro D.C. area the opportunity to try their luck at roulette, blackjack, poker and craps, and to enjoy an evening filled with drinks, buffet dining, dancing and an exciting silent and live auction. $1,000+
Volunteer page: Annual Joker’s Wild Casino. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Love Quilt Project—Love is the Common Thread
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Love is the Common Thread will benefit The Love Quilt Project and honor the 100th birthday of Nelson Mandela. We will celebrate the thousands of children we have reached in both South Africa and the US, while raising the necessary funds to provide programs to more vulnerable children affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Join us and our honored guests for a wonderful evening filled with South African wine & cuisine, live music and an exciting live & silent auction. $150+
Volunteer page: Love is the Common Thread. Contact [email protected] for more information.
American Heart Association—Greater Washington Region Heart Ball
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Mandarin Oriental
1330 Maryland Avenue SW
A premier society event in the Greater Washington Region, the Heart Ball is an elegant, black-tie celebration of the life-saving work of the American Heart Association. The event brings together more than 500 of the region’s most prominent medical, corporate, and community leaders. The evening includes heart and stroke survivor celebrations, dinner, dancing, live band and exceptional live and silent auctions. $1,000+
Volunteer page: Greater Washington Region Heart Ball.
March 2018
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation—Brewer’s Ball
Saturday, March 3, 2018
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Serving up hope for a cure…one pint at a time since 2005 Brewer’s Ball has earned its reputation as the beer event of the season, hosting over 30 of the region’s best craft breweries and 30 popular DC restaurants. Guests mix and mingle, while sampling handcrafted beers, tastes of the best local cuisine, and more. $150+
Volunteer page: Brewer’s Bal. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance—Turn Up the Heat
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Turn up the Heat showcases the talents of women chefs and mixologists, guests sample food and beverage while raising important funds for programs that support ovarian cancer survivors. $150+
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected] for more information.
National Cherry Blossom Festival—The Pink Tie Party
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Known as the kick-off to spring in Washington, the Pink Tie Party stylishly marks the end of winter and the official beginning of blossom season. Attendees will be delighted by delicious food highlighting DC’s culinary scene, an open bar, unique entertainment, over-the-top-decor, and the friendly competition of the silent auction. $225+
Volunteer page: The Pink Tie Party. Contact Caitlin Murphy, Volunteer Manager, at [email protected] for more information.
April 2018
DC Web Fest
Friday-Saturday, April 6-7, 2018
AT&T Forum for Technology, Entertainment, and Policy
601 New Jersey Ave NW
The DC Web Fest is a digital media festival, celebrating their 6th year. Featuring the best of local & international content (i.e. web series, VR/AR, games, podcasts, blogs, and more), classes by General Assembly in digital marketing/python/IP creative control, and meetings with pro bono legal counsel. If you like hanging out at the Australian Embassy, complimentary food and drinks, cutting-edge new media, and listening to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, then volunteer for the DC Web Fest! $150+
Volunteer page: DC Web Fest. People who would like to volunteer should submit via the volunteer page or send a short introductory paragraph to [email protected]
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic—Evening of Wishes
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic is celebrating its 35th anniversary in conjunction with this year’s Evening of Wishes, presented by GPR, Inc. Featuring unforgettable wish experiences, exciting silent and live auction items and a lively after party, it will be a night you don’t want to miss. $500+
Volunteer page: Evening of Wishes. For more information, please contact Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic at [email protected].
Luke’s Wings—Heroes Gala
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Trump International Hotel
1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Luke’s Wings unites wounded warriors, veterans and heroes with their loved ones when they need them most. $275+
Volunteer page: Heroes Gala. For more information, please contact Dakota Bierly at [email protected].
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)—U.S. Air Force Charity Ball
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Gaylord National Resort
201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
AFAS, the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, helps to relieve the financial distress of Air Force members, assists with education goals, and improves quality of life through a variety of community programs. $150+
For more information, contact [email protected].
Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation—Annual Gala
Saturday, April 21, 2018
The Country Club of Fairfax
5110 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
The MCCP Foundation Annual Gala, Celebrating our Community Champions of Children’s Health, is a very special event to benefit children living in Fairfax County, Virginia, who rely on MCCP to provide access to quality medical and dental care services each year. For over 30 years, MCCP has served children, from birth to age 19, who are in families with incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level and are not eligible for state or federal health care programs. We are the last safety net for these children.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
Filmfest DC
April 19-29, 2018
The Washington, DC International Film Festival (Filmfest DC) is the longest running film festival in the nation’s capital featuring some of the best and most intriguing films from around the world.
Volunteer page: Filmfest DC. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Broccoli City Festival
Saturday, April 28, 2018
RFK Stadium Lot 8
2400 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Broccoli City and Live Nation Urban are proud to present the 6th Annual Broccoli City Festival featuring Migos, Miguel and Cardi B. ALL tickets include access to both stages, Taste of BC Food Village, marketplace, cash bars and general admission grounds including sponsor activation’s. $200+
Volunteer page: Broccoli City Festival.
Taste of 8th
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Barracks Row
731 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Over 20 of Barracks Row restaurants will serve appetizer sized samples of their best-known or newest dishes. $15 (5 tastings). Volunteers are broken up into two shifts so that everyone has a chance to work and eat. Volunteers get a free 5 pack of Taste tickets and a t-shirt. 5 tickets gets you a significant amount of food/beverages. The work would be either serving food or taking tickets. Volunteers can sign up in pairs or by yourself.
Contact: [email protected].
May 2018
Humane Rescue Alliance—Fashion for Paws 12th Annual Runway Show
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert St. NW
Television personality and celebrity stylist, Carson Kressley, will take the stage to host for the second straight year. The Emmy award winning star of Queer Eye and former contestant on Dancing with the Stars and The New Celebrity Apprentice will bring his love of dogs, eye for fashion, and endless energy to the Fashion for Paws stage. $120+
Volunteer page: Fashion for Paws. Contact [email protected] for more information.
June 2018
Friends of the National Arboretum—Dinner Under the Stars
Saturday, June 6, 2018
TBD
Each year in June, when the Arboretum grounds are in full bloom, FONA welcomes friends and guests to a relaxing evening overlooking the Capitol Columns. With a cocktail reception in the fragrant National Herb Garden and a feast in the meadow, the Annual Dinner Under the Stars is always a pleasure.
To find out more about how you can make a difference and to obtain an application, send an email to [email protected], or call (202) 544-8733.
Living Classrooms—Kingman Island Bluegrass Festival
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Kingman Island
575 Oklahoma Avenue NE
Be a part of DC’s largest local music festival! Proceeds from the festival benefit the educational programming of Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region as well as the continued maintenance of Kingman Island as an educational and recreational space for the community. Living Classrooms Foundation strengthens communities and inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources as living classrooms. $35+
For more information, email Rebekah Meyer, Director of Community Outreach and Volunteerism, at [email protected].
USO Metro & Capital Area Food Bank—Giant National Barbecue Battle
June 23-24, 2018
300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
The Giant Barbecue Battle is one of the largest and most unique food and music festivals in the country and offers a chance to experience the thrill of competition BBQ at its best. The annual event features cooking contests, samples, live music and more.
Volunteer page: Giant National Barbecue Battle. Contact [email protected] for more information.
July 2018
Major League Baseball—89th All-Star Game
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St SE
The Washington Nationals will host the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Summer this July. As an unpaid volunteer, you may receive exciting gifts including: MLB All-Star FanFest Polo, All-Star FanFest Cap, Unlimited access to MLB All-Star FanFest, All-Star Cinch Bag, All-Star, Game Water bottle, Two tickets to MLB All-Star FanFest for a friend or family member, Commemorative All-Star Baseball, and Two tickets to a Washington Nationals Game.
Volunteer page: All-Star Game.
September 2018
Library of Congress—National Book Festival
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt Vernon Pl NW
Come Celebrate Books and Reading at the 18th Library of Congress National Book Festival. The festival will feature amazing authors, illustrators and poets. Washington Post: Volunteers needed at the National Book Festival. FREE
Please email [email protected] and ask about volunteering.
WashingCon
September 8-9, 2018
Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center
3800 Reservoir Road NW
WashingCon, DC’s own Tabletop Gaming Convention, wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. In 2016, we had over 70 enthusiastic volunteers helping out with everyone from check-in to teaching games to running tournaments and more. In exchange for working two 4-hour shifts at the convention, volunteers will have their full weekend pass refunded, receive a volunteer t-shirt and our eternal gratitude. Note: To be a volunteer, you must purchase a ticket to WashingCon. $40
Volunteer page: WashingCon. Contact [email protected] for more information.
October 2018
Humane Rescue Alliance—31st Annual Bark Ball
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave NW
This event is the only black-tie gala where movers and shakers of Washington DC can bring their canine companions as their dates. The Bark Ball draws many of the area’s most illustrious residents and their four-legged friends, all in honor of the programs and services of the Washington Humane Society and the Washington Animal Rescue League.
Volunteer page: Bark Ball. Contact [email protected] for more information.
November 2018
Fight for Children—Fight Night
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave NW
What happens at Fight Night stays at Fight Night when heavyweights of business, government & philanthropy throw down to raise money for kids in need. Since 1990, Fight Night has generated more than $60 million to support a great cause- improving the lives of at-risk children throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Volunteer page: Fight Night. For more information, contact [email protected].
Human Rights Campaign—National Dinner
TBD
The HRC National Dinner draws more than 3,600 guests to celebrate advancements in the fight for LGBTQ equality and to recommit to the work that still lies ahead.
Volunteer page: HRC National Dinner. Contact [email protected] for more information.
International Club of DC—various black-tie galas
We are Washington’s premier organization for internationally-minded professionals who enjoy international cultural experiences. In partnership with over 80 embassies, along with museums and other cultural organizations in Washington DC, we present a variety of private cultural and networking events for our membership in the DC area.
Volunteer page: International Club of DC. Contact [email protected] for more information.
