When a charity fundraiser trades tuxedos for roller skates and a disco playlist, it can sometimes signal a lighter approach. But for Episcopal Impact Fund, Saturday night’s glitter-and-groove theme carried a serious purpose: channeling community generosity directly into housing security and essential services for thousands of Bay Area residents living on the margins.
The Night of Light Gala, themed EPISCO DISCO, delivered both spectacle and substance on October 17 at San Francisco’s Julia Morgan Ballroom. Nearly 200 supporters, grantee partners, and sponsors gathered for what organizers described as an evening of connection and joy — and the financial results reflect that energy.
A Community of Support for the Bay Area
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Episcopal Impact Fund doesn’t just fund our work; they believe in our students and stand with us. Seeing the Impact Fund community rally around young people who are building their futures is a gift.”— Craig Miller, Co-Executive Director, Life Learning Academy
The annual gala serves as a key moment for the Bay Area community to rally behind Episcopal Impact Fund’s vision, where every neighbor has access to the resources needed to thrive. The funds raised this year will support the organization’s network of more than 50 grantee partners working on the frontlines of poverty and housing insecurity.
Miller, whose organization Life Learning Academy benefits from the Fund’s support, delivered remarks that resonated deeply with attendees, sharing stories of transformation made possible through LLA’s programs. His words underscored the tangible impact that gala contributions have on real lives.
Video presentations highlighted two additional grantees — Serenity House Oakland and Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in partnership with Hillcrest Church — offering guests a window into the diverse ways partner organizations are changing lives across the region.
The entertainment lived up to the disco billing. The Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios and Maleah Rios performed a memorable duet of “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart,” while Circosphere’s roller-skating human disco balls added a surreal touch. A 360° photo booth and a packed dance floor kept the energy high, but the evening’s most meaningful moments came during the live and silent auctions, Fund-a-Need, and paddle raise, where guests opened their wallets generously.
Episcopal Impact Fund extended heartfelt thanks to premier sponsor Diane B. Wilsey and the broader community of supporters, noting that their collective effort helps create pathways out of poverty and invests in stability for future generations.
About Episcopal Impact Fund
Founded in 1977, Episcopal Impact Fund works to create pathways out of poverty for children, families, and youth throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Through trust-based philanthropy — including grantmaking, advocacy, volunteer initiatives, and faith-based affordable housing development — the organization has helped elevate the lives of millions of neighbors experiencing poverty. More information is available at www.episcopalimpact.org.
Why it matters: Fundraising events like this one represent a critical lifeline for grassroots organizations addressing the Bay Area’s deepening housing crisis. When community members show up — even in disco attire — they’re directly fueling the work of 50+ grantees serving neighbors who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The gala’s success signals sustained local commitment to equity and stability in one of the nation’s most expensive regions.
Kieran King
Episcopal Impact Fund
+1 415-869-7824
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