Spark Ventures

ONE WEEK AWAY! 🗓️⏳✨

The countdown is officially on! In just 7 days, we'll gather at The Dalcy for the 2026 Fall Gala to celebrate 20 years since the first trip that led to Spark Ventures and to look ahead to a future of community-led impact.

While event tickets are sold out, you can still be part of this milestone celebration from wherever you are:

🎟️ Enter the Paris Raffle: Grab your raffle tickets for a chance to win a 5-night getaway for two in Paris! And you don't have to be at the gala to win.
💙 Make a Donation: Support the ongoing work of our partners in Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago by donating at sparkventures.org/product/financial-investment/

To everyone who secured seats, we can't wait to see you next Thursday, October 15th at 6:00 PM! Get ready for an unforgettable night of celebrating our partners, honoring the past, and investing in the future! 🎉🥂

Head Teacher Chimfwembe Ng'oma just celebrated his birthday! Happy Birthday Teacher Ng'oma!🎉

For years, Teacher Ng'oma has been a cornerstone of Hope Community School, guiding and inspiring students since the beginning. His dedication, leadership, and wisdom have helped shape countless lives and build a lasting legacy of education, opportunity, and hope.

We are endlessly grateful for his partnership and lifelong commitment to empowering the next generation. Join us in wishing Teacher Ng'oma a wonderful year ahead filled with joy, good health, and continued impact! 🇿🇲✨

Sunset views along the Seine River are waiting for you! ⛵🇫🇷✨

Imagine taking in the iconic sights of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, on a 1-hour sightseeing cruise along the Seine while enjoying a 5-night stay at a centrally located, 4-star boutique hotel!

Our 2026 Fall Gala Raffle could turn a $100 raffle ticket into an unforgettable French getaway for two, valid through December 31, 2027!

🎟️ 1 for $100 | 3 for $250 | 8 for $500
🛳️ Includes: 5-night stay + 1-hour Seine River cruise + art-historian-led Louvre tour, private luxury sedan airport transfers.
🏠 No event ticket needed: Anyone can enter and win from home!

The more tickets you purchase, the more chances you have to win! Grab your raffle tickets today at https://goat.bid/app/public/bidapp/fallgala26/auction

Happy World Teachers' Day! 🍎📚

Today, we celebrate the extraordinary educators, mentors, and volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to inspiring and empowering the next generation across our global community.

Behind every thriving student is an educator who believes in their potential. From the dedicated teachers at Hope Community School in Zambia, to the transformative mentors at Las Tías in Nicaragua, the committed tutors at Entreamigos in Mexico, and the inspiring community leaders at We Grow Chicago, we are deeply grateful for the knowledge, devotion, and heart our partners bring to their education initiatives every day.

Their hard work goes beyond the classroom, helping students build confidence, discover new possibilities, and build pathways to brighter futures, strengthening communities, locally and globally.

We also want to give a special shout-out to our incredible U.S. educators and volunteers! From the dedicated teachers who travel to Zambia with us to the incredible team powering our Zooming with Zambia program, you're creating learning opportunities for students around the world.

Whether teaching in a classroom or connecting through Zoom, these educators are helping shape futures. Thank you to every teacher, mentor, and volunteer! 💙

Whether you're dreaming of a relaxing night in or the thrill of a packed venue, our Fall Gala is all about some seriously incredible auction items!

Bid solo or team up with friends to pool your resources and go for a bigger experience:
✨ Instant W**e Cellar: Three expertly curated cases of w**e, valued at more than $3,000
🎶 Weekend in Vegas: See The Eagles at The Sphere, dine at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, & enjoy a 3-night stay at The Paris Las Vegas
🍷 Private W**e Tasting: A private, at-home, sommelier-led w**e tasting for 12, with w**e included
🏀 Sweet Home Chicago: Package filled with unforgettable nights, including 2 tickets to Bert Kreischer & an RPM Steak gift card

Start planning your bidding strategy today!

Can't attend the fall gala? Support Spark and our partners from wherever you are by donating at sparkventures.org/product/financial-investment/

Here's a look at what our partner in San Pancho, Mexico accomplished over the summer!

📚 Scholarship Group Success: 15 scholarship students across 6 grade levels built team spirit through role-playing, active learning, and a phone-free classroom policy. They celebrated their summer session with a group outing to San Pancho's beach.

👩‍🎨 Mujeres que Crean: The women entrepreneurs completed ~200 handcrafted pieces for gallery orders and participated in workshops covering identity and digital marketing to grow their own personal businesses.

We are so grateful to partner with Entreamigos as they continue creating sustainable opportunities for youth and families! 💚

To invest directly in the youth and families of San Pancho donate now at sparkventures.org/product/financial-investment/

Our upcoming 2026 Spark Ventures Fall Gala is made possible thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors!

Your belief in our mission drives meaningful, community-led impact, expanding access to high-quality education, vital healthcare, nutrition programs, and economic opportunities across Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago. Together, we are creating pathways to opportunity and empowering local leaders to transform their communities for generations to come.

Thank you to our 2026 Fall Gala Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors:
🌟 Anonymous
🌟 Bob and Chie Curley

Gold Level Sponsor:
🌟 Anonymous

Silver Level Sponsors:
🌟 Fusion Risk Management
🌟 Tandem Events & Communications
🌟 Charlie and Kathy Wolf

Bronze Level Sponsors:
🌟 Debbie Frisch
🌟 Long Grove Confectionery
🌟 Chapman and Cutler

Thank you for standing alongside us and making this impact possible!

🤝 Want to see your business represented at Chicago's most inspiring fall event? Learn how your brand can partner with us at sparkventures.org/event-partnerships/

Art, elegance, and zero stress in the City of Light! 🎨🇫🇷✨

Bypass the crowds with priority access to the iconic Louvre Museum on a 3-hour guided tour led by an art historian—Mona Lisa included!

Our 2026 Fall Gala Raffle grand prize package includes a 5-night stay for two, an art-historian guided Louvre tour, and sightseeing on the Seine River, giving you the ultimate Paris experience!

Even if you can't join us in person on gala night, you can still win from home, with every ticket you buy powering vital programming in education, healthcare, and job creation across Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago!

Raffle Details:
🎟️ 1 for $100 | 3 for $250 | 8 for $500 (Best Value)
🗓️ Flexible Travel: Valid through December 31, 2027
🏠 No event ticket needed: Anyone can win from anywhere!

Ready to level up your travel plans while making a global impact? Enter to win now at https://goat.bid/app/public/bidapp/fallgala26/auction 🥖🍷

Take a look at what our partner, Hope Community School in Zambia, has been up to 🇿🇲✨

📚Doors Open for Success: Grade 7 and Grade 12 students came to school during their break for extra exam prep, while the library stayed open so students had a quiet space to read and research.

🌟 Intergenerational Wisdom: All 40 members of the WOW (Women of Worth) group gathered for health checkups, food distributions, and a powerful mentorship session teaching the boys at Hope House about character, integrity, and respect. They talked about Ubuntu, an African philosophy focused on how one's well-being is tied to the well-being of those around you.

🧵 Skills in Action: While classes were on break, the tailoring team stayed busy producing school uniforms, scarves, and mattress covers for Hope House.

From dedicated educators and local mentors to hardworking students, Hope Community School proves every single day that learning and community care never take a day off!

You don't need a seat at the Gala to score the ultimate Parisian getaway for two! 🥐🇫🇷✨

Even though event tickets for our 2026 Fall Gala are completely sold out, you can still participate and win big right from home!

Our raffle gives you the chance to turn a $100 entry into a dream trip to Paris—complete with iconic sights and unforgettable memories. Best of all, every single entry directly powers grassroots programs in education, healthcare, nutrition, and job creation across Zambia, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chicago.

Why enter?
🎟️ $100 per ticket (Buy multiple to boost your chances!)
✈️ Grand Prize: A dream vacation to Paris, 5 nights for 2 at a 4-star boutique hotel
🏠 No event ticket needed: Anyone can win from anywhere—no presence required on October 15th!

Don't let the sold-out Gala keep you from winning big for a great cause. Grab your raffle tickets today at https://goat.bid/app/public/bidapp/fallgala26/auction