The Mitchell Institute

2026 Annual Gala

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

2026 Mitchell Institute Gala Save the Date

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.

Learn More About the Evening+

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.

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.

See an Overview of All Our Programs

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.

View Sponsorship Packages
Purchase a Table Sponsorship

Questions about sponsorship?

Contact Jeff Candura, Director of Development — jcandura@mitchellinstitute.org · 207-358-7733

Our Growing List of 2026 Sponsors+

Lead Sponsor

Prime Sponsor

Leadership Sponsors

Chuck de Sieyes + Carol Ward · The Zonnenberg Family

Parking Sponsor

Table Sponsors

Kennebec Savings Bank · MedRhythms

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.

See an Overview of All Our 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.

See You in September