in honor of america’s 250th anniversary

Join the Trust for the National Mall as we celebrate all 50 states as we kickoff the grand national celebration on the Fourth of July

AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL will welcome a glittering crowd of 600+ partners and champions to celebrate and support our mission on America’s Front Yard in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial - America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Make your plans to join us for a monumental evening, against the backdrop of the soaring Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol, as we come together on the National Mall to honor our nation’s history and its founding.

AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL will honor all 50 states and territories, feature the Trust’s 2026 History, Heroes & Hope Awards and welcome special guests to celebrate the National Mall’s history and purpose, center stage for the historic American milestone on July 4, 2026.

Become a sponsor and sign up for updates by contacting events@nationalmall.org

About AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL HONORING AMERICA’s 250th

• AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL will feature the presentation of the Trust’s History, Heroes & Hope Awards, which have previously honored luminaries including, Rosie Rios of America250, Josh Harris of the Washington Commanders, Sheila Johnson of Salamander Collection, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and musician Dave Grohl. Past speakers have included Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), David M. Rubenstein and Doug Burgum, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.  

• Be a part of this monumental evening that welcomes an array of prominent philanthropists, business leaders, members of Congress, public officials and our generous partners and benefactors for an unforgettable night of celebration in support of the National Mall.

• Our 2025 BALL featured speakers included the Honorable Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, former Trust honoree David M. Rubenstein, Vice Chair, Trust Board of Directors and Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection Sheila Johnson, and Emcee Pamela Brown, CNN.

• Held in a grand tent on the National Mall, under the stars and beneath the Washington Monument, this black-tie affair features a cocktail reception, seated dinner and after-party, monumental views and photo opportunities.

• The BALL is the Trust’s signature annual fundraising gala that unites our key supporters to showcase the projects and programs we are delivering on with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and elevate this treasured American space. Our shared mission to ensure a vibrant and engaging National Mall for all takes on new meaning as we approach the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026, when the National Mall—America’s Civic Stage—will play center stage for this milestone commemoration.

BECOME A SPONSOR for AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL

Our marquee Semiquincentennial gala with sponsorship opportunities featuring a Chairperson’s Reception (by invitation only), intimate awards presentation, seated dinner, and dessert reception. Join fellow guests, including Congressional leaders, featured speakers, award honorees, Trust Board of Directors and our generous philanthropic partners, for one unforgettable night.

Support the Trust’s mission and attend this exclusive event celebrating America’s 250th and the National Mall. Your gift will help steward the Trust’s work to restore, preserve and enrich America’s Front Yard. Depending on sponsorship level, partners can receive the following benefits and more, fully explained in the Sponsorship Packet:

• Premier seating at the event

• Invitation to the special Chairperson's Reception

• Listing in Event E-Invitation (Deadline March 9, 2026)

• Recognition at the event through signage, on-screen, and event program (Deadline April 15, 2026)

• Promotion in Trust partner media ads and social media

Special Signature State Tables: Building on a successful debut in 2025, Signature State Tables return for America’s 250th with an even greater opportunity to elevate your brand and honor your state’s legacy. Curate a table of ten distinguished guests - civic leaders, policymakers, or partners - for an unforgettable night beneath the monuments. New for 2026: enhanced on-site visibility and recognition as part of this high-profile, one-of-a-kind sponsorship. Secure your table now, only one official table reserved for each state or territory.

For more information on AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL…

For questions about AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL, please email events@nationalmall.org.

Interested in sponsoring? Please reach out to Alejandra Diaz-Imlah at adiaz-imlah@nationalmall.org

Donations in lieu of attendance (table/seat benefits not provided) are welcomed. Donors will receive recognition commensurate with gift amount.

Donor Advised Funds: Please note that per IRS restrictions and guidelines, event tickets or sponsorships paid through Donor Advised Funds and/or private family foundations are not allowable.

A portion of each sponsorship or ticket purchase supports the vital work of the Trust for the National Mall. The estimated fair market value of goods and services provided is $500 per ticket, and the balance is considered tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

2025 America’s ball for the mall highlights

AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL 2025 CO-CHAIRS

GEORGETTE “GIGI” DIXON

STACY KERR

CR WOOTERS

KATIE ZIRKELBACH

ROBBY ZIRKELBACH

AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL 2025 Host Committee

2025 Sponsors

Premier Sponsors

Signature State Table Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

David & Hallee Adelman
Bayer
Capital Group
Clark Construction
EagleBank
Hensel Phelps
Hilton
Frank Islam & Debbie Driesman
Korn Ferry
Linder Global Events
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation
Ogilvy
Uber

Silver Sponsors

Akridge
Alpha Corporation
The Business Council
Business Roundtable
Capstone LLC
The Cigna Group
Consigli Construction
Deloitte
Destination DC
The Economic Club of Washington
Forbes Tate Partners
Greater Washington Board of Trade
Kathi & Dan Knise/EPIC Insurance Brokers
Lorton Stone, LLC
LSG
Ourisman Automotive of Virginia/Daniel Korengold & Martha Dippell 
PCMA
Projection, Inc.
Ruppert Companies
TD Bank
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
VHC Health
Zirkelbach Strategies

BRONZE Sponsors

Sally & John E. “Chip” Akridge III
Will Caggiano
Dr. William J. Catacosinos & Ms. Juliana E. May
Pam & Tony Marquez
Anne Brady Perron & Jay Perron
Diane & Ned Powell
Ed & Martie Samek

MEDIA Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsor

Breakthru Beverage Group
Design Cuisine and DC Rental
Design Foundry
Effort, LLC
EventEQ
HP
Linder Global Events
MJ Valet
Tito's Handmade Vodka

PAST BALL FOR THE MALL AND HISTORY, HEROES & HOPE AWARD HIGHLIGHTS

ABOUT THE HISTORY, HEROES & HOPE AWARD

The Trust for the National Mall created the History, Heroes & Hope Award in 2014 to honor the spirit and ideals that the National Mall represents for our country. The Award has recognized dedicated public servants, long-time volunteers, and patriotic donors.

The History, Heroes & Hope Award has traditionally been presented during the Trust’s annual fundraising gala and other events, with an audience of prominent business leaders, philanthropists, members of Congress and public officials.

Previous recipients of the History, Heroes & Hope Award have included:  

• 2025: Josh Harris, Managing Partner, Washington Commanders, Rosie Rios, Chair America250 U.S. Congressional Commission, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin

• 2024: Mellon Foundation, accepted by President Elizabeth Alexander, Dave Grohl, 19-time Grammy-winning Musician, Author, Director, George C Wolfe, 3-time Tony-winning playwright, Director, Rustin film

• 2023: Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, and Her Excellency Emily Haber, German Ambassador to the United States

• 2022: Jon Batiste & Suleika Jaouad, Award-Winning Artists & Activists, and Sharon Percy Rockefeller, President and Chief Executive Officer of WETA-TV

• 2021: Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and José Andrés, Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup and Founder of World Central Kitchen

• 2020: The Honorable Lamar Alexander, Senator (R-TN)

• 2019: The Honorable Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and the late Congressman John Dingell (D-MI)

• 2018: Donald Adam and Annemarie Emmet, Volunteers-in-Parks Program Volunteers 

• 2017: David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, The Carlyle Group

• 2016: Jonathan Jarvis, Former Director of the National Park Service 

• 2015: John E. “Chip” Akridge III, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Trust for the National Mall

For more details on previous History, Heroes & Hope Awardees, click here.