“ACandleintheDark”ScholarshipGala&InauguralBall SponsorshipDeck2026
Presented by:
Katina Henderson -Hawkins Director, Event Sponsorships Office of External Relations
Letterfromthe President
Dear Friends and Supporters of Morehouse College -
It is my honor to invite you to join us for the 2026 “A Candle in the Dark Gala,” the College’s signature fundraising event and one of our most cherished traditions. Each year, this celebration illuminates the extraordinary achievements of Morehouse Men and honors leaders whose lives and work exemplify integrity, excellence, and a commitment to service. The “A Candle in the Dark” Gala is not only a night of recognition, but is also a vital catalyst for ensuring that Morehouse continues to transform lives and shape leaders who uplift industries and communities across the nation and around the world.
As the 13th President of Morehouse College, I am profoundly aware of the responsibility we hold to steward the mission of this historic institution. Our students are brilliant, driven, and purpose -filled. They represent the next generation of visionaries, thinkers, and change makers. The support raised through this gala directly fuels scholarships that enable our young men to lean into their Morehouse experience without the added burden of financial strain and mounting student debt.
Your partnership makes this possible.
I invite you to deepen your engagement with Morehouse by serving as a sponsor for the 2026 Gala. Sponsorship offers a meaningful opportunity to align your company, organization, or philanthropic leadership with an institution that stands at the forefront of shaping culturally competent, globally conscious leaders. Your investment not only elevates this special evening; it strengthens the pipeline of excellence that defines the Morehouse legacy.
Thank you for considering this invitation and for the steadfast support so many of you have shown to our College. I look forward to celebrating with you at the gala on Saturday, February 14, 2026, as we honor extraordinary individuals and continue to illuminate the path forward for generations of Morehouse Men.
With gratitude and warm regards,
F. DuBois Bowman, Ph.D.
13th President
Morehouse
College
AboutMorehouseCollege
Founded in 1867, Morehouse College is the nation’s only college founded to educate men of color. Ranked as Georgia’s top liberal arts college for men, Morehouse produces more Black men who go on to receive doctorates than any other college in the country and is a top feeder school for Black men entering prestigious graduate schools and MBA programs. Also named Georgia’s #1 small college, Morehouse educates a selective group of 2,800 students each year, 60 percent of whom come from families with household incomes of $40,000 or less, yet many of which are highly recruited by Fortune 500 companies.
The College has created more Rhodes Scholars than any other HBCU and has the #1 core curriculum among HBCUs nationally. It is the nation’s top producer of Black male graduates in the social sciences, and the top HBCU producer of Black male graduates in business ad ministration, management, operations, English, foreign languages, Mathematics, statistics, philosophy, religious studies, and physical scie nces. As the national epicenter for thought leadership on human rights and equity. Morehouse is committed to helping the nation address th e challenges caused by institutional racism, income and health care disparities, lack of access to capital, detrimental public policy, and the need for highquality education.
Learn more about Morehouse College at morehouse.edu.
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HBCUforMenNationally (2026U.S.News&WorldReportRankings &25-26EnrollmentbyGender)
ProducerofRhodesScholars AmongHBCUs
3.56 # 1 Degree-grantingPrograms acrossfour(4) academicdivisions:STEM, Business& Economics,,Professional& ContinuingStudies, andHumanities,SocialSciences,Media,&Arts 32 # 1 BestValueSchoolfor HBCUsNationwide ProducerofRhodesScholars amongHBCUs (6total) AverageGPA
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Aboutthe“ACandleintheDark” ScholarshipGala
The “A Candle in the Dark” Gala is Morehouse College’s signature black -tie celebration of excellence and achievement. For nearly four decades, this highly anticipated annual event has honored distinguished individuals whose groundbreaking contributions in science, technology, business, government, the arts, and entertainment reflect the ideals of leadership and service that define the Morehouse legacy.
Past honorees include some of the most influential figures of our time: playwright August Wilson , three -time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, Academy Award winner Denzel Washington , music legend Stevie Wonder, activist and actor Harry Belafonte , baseball Hall of Famer Henry “Hank” Aaron , global media icon Oprah Winfrey , philanthropist Robert F. Smith , musician Pharrell Williams , and over 230 other luminaries .
More than an elegant evening of celebration, the Gala is Morehouse’s most impactful fundraising event, providing vital support for student scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and partners, the Gala has raised over $40 million to date in support of the Morehouse College General Scholarship Fund.
This year’s event will also serve as the Inaugural Ball for the College’s 13th President, Dr. F. DuBois Bowman ‘92, marking a historic new chapter in the institution’s 159 -year legacy of excellence and leadership.
The 38th Annual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The VI P R eception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by the main event at 7:30 p.m.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate 159 years of shaping extraordinary leaders and continue to illuminate the path forwa rd for generations to come.
SponsorshipLevels
Legacy Presenting Sponsor- $350,000
Presenting Sponsor- $300,000
Luminary Sponsor- $200,000
Platinum Sponsor- $100,000
Gold Sponsor- $50,000
Silver Sponsor- $35,000
Bronze Sponsor- $25,000
Gala proceeds support the College’s general scholarship fund.
All sponsorship-level gifts will be listed in the program.
All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Exclusive Perks
• Recognition: Premier Sponsor of the “Bennie & Candle Honoree Society" Dinner
• Dedicated Service: Dedicated concierge service for all gala -related needs
• All of the recognition, benefits and perks of “Presenting Sponsor”
LegacyPresentingSponsor-$350,000 PresentingSponsor-$300,000
Recognition
• Event Branding: Event name branded as: “The 38th Annual A Candle in the Dark Gala presented by [Company Name].”
• Media Exposure: Mention in national and regional advertising campaigns for the gala.
Exclusive Perks
• Private Meet -and-Greet: Invitation for four guests to attend President’s private breakfast with honorees and special guests.
• Honorary Co -Chair: Opportunity to serve as Honorary Co -Chair of event.
• Named Scholarship: Opportunity to create a scholarship in the sponsor’s name.
Event Benefits
• VIP Reception Access: Invitation for 30 guests to attend VIP Reception.
• VIP Table Access: Three premier tables (seating for 30) with champagne service.
• On-Stage Opportunity: Representative delivers a brief address during the event.
• Brand Presence: Exclusive signage at key event areas (entrance, stage, and dinner tables); Prominent logo on multimedia displays during the event.
• Logo Placement: Premier placement on all event materials, including invitations, program booklets, press releases, official gala website and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Front page/ full -page advertisement in the souvenir program.
Luminary
Recognition
Sponsor-$200,000
• Event Branding: Highlighted as a top -tier sponsor across all event materials and media platforms.
• Media Exposure: Mention in national and regional advertising campaigns for the gala.
Exclusive Perks
• Private Meet -and-Greet: Invitation for two guests to attend President’s private breakfast with honorees and special guests.
• Special Recognition: Commemorative plaque honoring sponsorship support.
PlatinumSponsor-$100,000
Recognition
• Event Branding: Highlighted as a sponsor across all event materials and media platforms.
Exclusive Perks
• Co-Sponsor of VIP Reception: Recognition as VIP Reception co -sponsor “This VIP Reception is brought to you by (Company Names)”.
Event Benefits
• Co-Sponsor of VIP Reception
• VIP Reception Access: Invitation for 20 guests to attend VIP Reception.
• VIP Table Access: Two premium tables (seating for 20) with champagne service.
• On-Stage Recognition: Verbal acknowledgment as Luminary sponsor during the program.
• Logo Placement: Prominent inclusion on all multimedia presentations, souvenir program and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Full -page advertisement with prominent placement in the souvenir program .
Event Benefits
• VIP Reception Access: Invitation for 10 guests to attend VIP Reception.
• VIP Table Access: One premium table (seating for 10).
• Logo Placement: Inclusion on all multimedia presentations, souvenir program, and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Full -page advertisement in the souvenir program.
GoldSponsor-$50,000
Recognition
• Event Branding: Highlighted as a sponsor across event materials and media platforms.
Exclusive Perks
• Co-Sponsor of 1867 Reception: Recognition as 1867 Reception co -sponsor “This General Reception is brought to you by (Company Names)”.
SilverSponsor-$35,000
Recognition
• Event Branding: Highlighted as a sponsor across event materials and media platforms.
Exclusive Perks
• Commemorative Gift: One per guest.
BronzeSponsor-$25,000
Recognition
• Event Branding: Highlighted as a sponsor across event materials and media platforms.
Event Benefits
• VIP Table Access: One premium table (seating for 10).
• Logo Placement: Inclusion on all multimedia presentations, souvenir program and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Half -page ad in the souvenir program.
Event Benefits
• Table Seating: Premium seating for 8 guests.
• Logo Placement: Inclusion on all multimedia presentations, souvenir program and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Half -page ad in the souvenir program.
Event Benefits
• Table Seating: Premium seating for 6 guests.
• Logo Placement: Inclusion on all multimedia presentations, souvenir program and gala signage.
• Program Advertisement: Quarter -page ad in the souvenir program.
SouvenirProgramAdvertising
Full-Page Ad
(Presenting, Luminary & Platinum Sponsors)
Trim: 8.5” x 11”
With Bleeds: 9” x 11.5”
.25” added all around
No Bleeds: 8” x 10.5”
Half-Page Ad
(Gold & Silver Sponsors)
Trim: 8.5” x 5.5”
With Bleeds: 9” x 6”
.25” added all around
No Bleeds: 8” x 5”
Quarter-Page Ad
(Bronze Sponsors)
Trim: 4.25” x 5.5”
With Bleeds: 4.75” x 6”
.25” added all around
No Bleeds: 3.75 ” x 5”
Thank you for your consideration. Please use THIS LINK to electronically submit your sponsorship reservation form. All reservations are due by January 15, 2026.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us.
