Gala Senator George J. Mitchell’s 30th Anniversary Gala Remarks
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate The Mitchell Institute’s 30th Anniversary Gala. Please save the date: The 2026 Mitchell Institute Gala will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026. More details to come!
Since 1995, the Mitchell Institute has provided Mitchell Scholars from every Maine public high school with vital resources to fulfill their dreams of a college education, realize their enormous potential, and develop their career paths. Your attendance and support at our annual Gala is essential to meeting our mission.
To learn more about Gala and explore our current levels of sponsorship, please visit the links below. If you have questions about the event, please contact Jeff Candura, Director of Development, by email or phone: 207-358-7733.
The Mitchell Institute Gala is an annual celebration of Mitchell Scholars and the Mitchell Institute’s mission to unlock the potential of Maine students.
Since 1995, the Mitchell Institute has provided Mitchell Scholars from every public high school in Maine with vital resources to fulfill their dreams of a college education, realize their enormous potential, and develop their career paths. In addition to awarding a $10,000 scholarship to each Mitchell Scholar, we offer a broad range of supports, including mentoring, fellowship grants, and programming to develop leadership skills and encourage career exploration.
Proceeds from the Gala support these and other Mitchell Scholar programs.
Click here to see our multimedia coverage of Gala 2025
Lead Sponsor:
Platinum Sponsor:
Prime Sponsors:
Leadership Sponsors:
Rob and Diane Kilroy
The Zonnenberg Family
Program Sponsors:
Roger and Chagit Deitz
Bruce and Becky Epstein
Sue Fitzgerald
Senator George J Mitchell and Heather Mitchell
Chris and Nancy Pierce
Table Sponsors:
Bates College
Bernstein Shur
Bowdoin College
Marjorie Bride
Broadreach PR
Cheverus High School
RM Davis
Chuck De Sieyes
Drummond Woodsum
Mike and Denise Dubyak
Margaret Angell & Nathaniel Fick
John T. Gorman Foundation
Jordan Wood for Maine
FRAME
GoNetSpeed
Hannaford
Kennebec Savings Bank
Robert Levine
L.L.Bean
Lockton
Martin’s Point Health Care
MedRhythms
MEMIC
Bill and Vicki Mitchell
Pine State Trading Co.
Spectrum Health Care Partners
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Virginia Swain
TD Bank
Turner Construction
University of Maine Foundation & University of Maine
University of New England
University of Southern Maine Foundation
Uprise Partners
Wilmington Trust
Wipfli
30 Years of Impact: The Mitchell Institute’s Legacy and Future
What began in 1995 with just 20 Scholars has grown into a statewide community of more than 4,000. For 30 years, the Mitchell Institute has invested in Maine’s students — opening doors to opportunity, building networks of support, and shaping a stronger Maine for generations to come.
The generosity of Gala attendees continues to fuel our plan to fund and provide wraparound supports for 200 Mitchell Scholars from every community in Maine each year. Thank you for continuing to make Mitchell Scholars and our mission a philanthropic priority.