Autumn in the Valley Gala
Sunday, September 7, 2025
at Carpenter’s Minnesota Campus – 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, MN 55033
Join the friends and family of Carpenter Nature Center for an evening of fun for a good cause. It’s a memorable dinner, raffle, silent and live auction, and is Carpenter’s most important fundraiser of the year. Funds raised from this event directly go towards supporting environmental education programs for youth, protecting wildlife habitat in both MN and WI, and providing nature-based recreation opportunities for the community.
Event Schedule
4:00 pm Social Hour with Open Bar, Cart Tours, and Live Music
6:00 pm Program and Live Auction
6:45 pm Dinner catered by Lake Elmo Inn
7:30 pm Silent Auction Close
8:00 pm Check-out available
Register for the Gala & Online Auction
Cost of Attendance
$95 per person
Early Bird Special
OR
$110 per person
If purchased after August 11
*Contributions are tax deductible excluding the value of each seat. FMV of one seat is approximately $60.00.
Purchase Tickets
or Mail-in our printable Gala Ticket & Sponsorship Form.
Online Auction Fundraiser
Carpenter will once again be using the online auction system Auctria for the Gala Auction. Gala attendance NOT required to participate in the online auction. The LIVE auction will be an on-site exclusive for Gala attendees.
Bidding opens August 30 at 6:00am and closes September 7 at 7:30pm.
Sponsorships & Auction Item Donation
Sponsorships
The Autumn in the Valley Gala would not be possible without the support of generous donors and event sponsors. Sponsors receive recognition prior to and following the event, as well as the opportunity to reserve event seats for the onsite gathering.
Event Sponsorships
Golden Eagle (Includes up to 12 event tickets) $5,000
Bald Eagle (Includes up to 12 event tickets) $3,500
Osprey (Includes up to 8 event tickets) $2,000
Great Blue Heron (Includes up to 8 event tickets) $1,200
Snowy Egret (Includes up to 4 event tickets) $600
Wood Duck (Includes 2 event tickets) $300
*Sponsorship will be recognized on the sponsorship poster at the event, verbally during the event program, and on the event webpage.
**Contributions are tax deductible excluding the value of each seat. FMV of one seat is $60.
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities
Wine & Spirits Game Sponsor $500 or in-kind
Evening Table Wine Sponsor $1,000 or in-kind
Bar Sponsor (Sponsor one or both event bars) $2,500/$1,250
*These sponsorships will be recognized with a sign at selected event amenity, on the sponsor poster at event, verbally during the event program, and on the event web page.
or Mail-in our printable Gala Ticket & Sponsorship Form.
Donate Items for the Auction
We are currently seeking item donations for our silent auction fundraiser. To donate an item, please contact Erika at erika@carpenternaturecenter.org or (651)-437-4359 ext 101.
- New items, no used please
- Themed gift baskets
- Nature or outdoor themed items
- Gift cards to local restaurants and businesses
- Unique experiences or trips
Item donations accepted until end of August 31.
