Centennial Gala
Civilization’s origin story continues to unfold and still has extraordinary things to teach us. Let’s discover it together.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
6–11 pm
University of Chicago Campus
On September 14, 2019, the Oriental Institute will launch its centennial year with a formal gala held on the University of Chicago campus. This event will host the OI’s most important and prominent donors, senior executives and Board members of the University of Chicago, world renowned archaeologists and researchers of the ancient Middle East, local and national political leaders, and other longtime and new supporters.
The evening’s festivities will begin with a lavish cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception in the historic OI. A gourmet dinner with full beverage service will take place in a fully-furnished luxury tent enclosure on the main campus quadrangle. The evening will conclude with a sumptuous dessert and cocktail reception and dancing beneath the stars.
All Centennial Gala supporters will be provided with the following:
- Named recognition in the OI’s annual honor roll of donors in digital and print forms
- Named recognition in all media placements and promotional materials that feature the Gala (based on the timing of funding received in relation to planned media and promotional placements)
- Named recognition in a special Centennial issue of the OI’s quarterly magazine, News & Notes, which is mailed in print form to 2,000 donors and partners and posted in digital format on the website
- Named recognition in any donor recognition instruments to be developed at the conclusion of the OI’s Centennial Campaign taking place over the 2019–2020 academic year
- The principal person(s) providing the Gala sponsorship funding will receive an annual membership in the OI’s James Henry Breasted Society, which will provide access and invitations to a large number of Centennial events
In addition to the recognition benefits provided to all sponsors, Gala supporters at the levels indicated below will be provided with a prominent table of 10 for dinner and will be publicly recognized in the formal printed event program. All table guests will receive a complimentary annual OI Membership, which provides free admission to the Oriental Institute Museum and access to special Centennial events and updates.
Founder Level: $50,000
• Private, VIP, behind-the-scenes tour of the OI, led by the Director and the Chief Curator of the Museum on the evening of the event
• OI faculty member or senior researcher as a table guest
Director Level: $25,000
• Private tour of the Museum led by a faculty member or senior researcher
• OI faculty member or senior researcher as a table guest
• Certificate for a one-hour, behind-the-scenes tour of the OI for 10 guests at a later date
Patron Level: $10,000
• Private tour of the Museum led by a Museum staff member
• OI faculty member or senior researcher as a table guest
Supporter Level: $5,000
• General tour of the Museum led by a docent or staff member during the reception
• Participation in dinner and post-dinner activities
Individual tickets are available for $500, with $325 per ticket credited as a charitable donation.
Click here to purchase an individual ticket, sponsorship table, or make your tax-deductible contribution to the OI Centennial Gala.
PLEASE NOTE: IRS tax regulations require that $1,750 of fair-market value must be subtracted from the amount of tax-deductible sponsorship support provided for this event at the giving levels identified. The formal contribution receipt provided for any level of Gala sponsorship will reflect and explain the full tax-deductible amount of the funding provided. In addition, IRS regulations prohibit gala sponsorship payments to be made through donor-advised funds. Please consult your tax adviser for further information regarding the tax-eligibility of financial support to gala events that offer food, drink, and entertainment to donors and participants.
For more information on sponsorship and ticket opportunities, please contact oi-centennial@uchicago.edu or 773-834-9775.
