An evening celebrating the Scholars who are at the very heart of our mission.
Friday, September 25, 2026 · 5:00 PM · Brick South, Thompson’s Point, Portland
Some evenings stay with you.
This is one of them.
The Mitchell Institute Gala is the one night a year when Maine’s business, education, and nonprofit communities gather around a single, simple belief — that where a student grows up should never determine how far they go. Join us for an evening celebrating the Scholars who are at the very heart of our mission.
Online ticket sales have closed. If you have questions about attending the Gala, please contact Jeff Candura, Director of Development, at jcandura@mitchellinstitute.org.
Highlights of This Not-to-Be-Missed Evening
●Community reception with Maine’s business, education, nonprofit, and political leaders
●Seated dinner with Mitchell Scholars at every table
●Stories of impact, told directly by our Scholars
●Raffle for a luxury getaway from Odysseys Unlimited
●A role in reducing barriers to higher education for students in every Maine community
●Post-event reception from 9–10 PM
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 are essential to allowing the Mitchell Institute to continue to meet our mission.
Hotel Room Block+
A limited room block is available for Gala guests at the Clarion Airport, located within walking distance of Brick South.
Room Block Details
Clarion Airport Room Block
1230 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101
Rate: $199/night
Date: Friday, September 25
Room options: 1 King bed or 2 Double beds
To book your room:
Contact Lucretia Russell, Director of Sales, at 207.553.9508 or dos@pwmclarion.com and mention the Mitchell Gala room block.
Guests may also book at the brand-new Moxy Portland Thompson’s Point, a Marriott hotel opening right at Thompson’s Point. The property includes both a Moxy side and a Residence Inn side, and is offering Gala guests a special 15% off corporate rate. The link below books the Moxy side.
Use our special Moxy 15% off booking link to reserve at the corporate rate. Room rates vary by style, starting at $322/night.
Sponsor the Gala+
Each year we welcome over 60 sponsorships from businesses, organizations, and individuals ranging from $3,000 to $35,000. Sponsorships include a variety of benefits including preferred seating, parking, and promotion. All funds raised from Gala sponsorships support Maine students looking to access higher education, persist through graduation, and reach their full potential.
Online ticket sales have closed. If you have questions about attending the Gala, please contact Jeff Candura, Director of Development, at jcandura@mitchellinstitute.org.
Our Growing List of 2026 Sponsors+
Lead Sponsor
Prime Sponsors
Rob and Diane Kilroy
Leadership Sponsors
Chuck de Sieyes + Carol Ward
The Zonnenberg Family
Program Sponsors
The Bob and Dan Crewe Charitable Trust
Roger and Chagit Deitz
Bruce and Becky Epstein
Sue Fitzgerald
Mary Mitchell Friedman and Carol Mitchell
Chris and Nancy Pierce
Parking Sponsor
Table Sponsors
Margaret Angell and Nathaniel Fick
Bates College
Bowdoin College
Gena Canning
Chenmark
Cheverus High School
Consigli Family
Drummond Woodsum
Mike and Denise Dubyak
John T. Gorman Foundation
Julie Goldberg
Kennebec Savings Bank
Nathan Kinney
Live + Work Maine
L.L.Bean
Lockton
Scott Maker and Andrea Cianchette Maker
M&T Bank / Wilmington
Martin’s Point Health Care
MedRhythms
MEMIC
R.M. Davis
Mac and Susan Rogers
Melissa Roy & Matt Schneider
Saint Joseph’s College
Virginia Swain
TD Bank
Turner Construction
UBS – The Andover Group
University of Maine Foundation
University of New England
University of Southern Maine Foundation
WEX
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors+
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
R.M. Davis
Chuck De Sieyes
Drummond Woodsum
Mike and Denise Dubyak
Margaret Angell & Nathaniel Fick
FRAME
GoNetSpeed
Hannaford
John T. Gorman Foundation
Jordan Wood for Maine
Kennebec Savings Bank
Robert Levine
L.L.Bean
Lockton
Martin’s Point Health Care
MedRhythms
MEMIC
Bill and Vicki Mitchell
Pine State Trading Co.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Spectrum Health Care Partners
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
See What Your Support Means for Mitchell Scholars+
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 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 support, 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.
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.
Online ticket sales have closed. If you have questions about attending the Gala, please contact Jeff Candura, Director of Development, at jcandura@mitchellinstitute.org.
Mark Your Calendars — The 2026 Mitchell Institute Gala is Friday, September 25th
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