SMLS Gala 2025
Event at-a-Glance
When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Where: Burlington Convention Centre
The SMLS Gala brings our community together for a night of revelry, camaraderie and fundraising in support of our very special school for girls and girls’ education. Alumnae, parents (past and present), SMLS employees, supporters, and friends of the school will gather to celebrate the nurturing community at SMLS where girls create the best versions of themselves and to raise funds that will help advance our powerful vision to see empowered young women challenging and transforming the world. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on fabulous experiences, travel packages and luxury items through the live and silent auction, sample delicious cocktails and cuisine, and dance to live music all while being immersed in a 1920s-inspired setting.
About St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School
St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School (SMLS) is a leader in education for girls and young women and a pillar of the Oakville community. Established in 1891, SMLS has been challenging young women to think expansively and engage fearlessly with a personalized, real-world learning experience that teaches them to see the future as a gift.
Anchored in a nurturing community of exceptionally committed educators and supportive peers, SMLS is where girls from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12 go to create the best version of themselves. The measure of our success is the bold mark our students make on the world, and our community includes an active network of alumnae from around the globe who maintain a strong connection to our school.
As an independent school, SMLS is a not-for-profit organization. Tuition covers the cost of fundamental school operations, and we rely on philanthropy to provide additional opportunities to our students, including new facilities and capital projects, enriched curriculum through our Signature Programs, and Student Financial Assistance.
Why Sponsor
This year, SMLS is launching a special initiative that will bring students together in new ways and that will allow girls even more opportunity to dream big, explore real-world learning, and master new technology and digital skills.
Our reimagined library space at SMLS will be a large, central learning space that will include expanded and specially curated resources, new and cutting-edge technology and practical hands-on equipment that will not only set girls up to dream big but also have all the firsthand experiences and opportunities to explore, learn and try new things so that they are well-prepared for the world beyond SMLS.
This library and common learning space will be upgraded with digital media and production tools, expanded design space and equipment, collaborative learning spaces, new print and digital resource collections, and more. The new library will be a place where students of all ages can learn, research, ideate, create together and inspire one another. As a Sponsor, your company will be a special part of making this library project possible - directly impacting our school community, the opportunities we create especially for girls, and their ability to dream big and own their future. You will also benefit from exposure to an audience of thousands of affluent members of the SMLS and greater Oakville community while at the same time demonstrating your philanthropic investment and dedicated support for girls’ education.
Our Reach
2025 Speakeasy Event Sponsorship Opportunities
Hosted by the SMLS Parent Association
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Advertisements in Program
$25,000 $15,000
$10,000 $5,000 $2,500 $500-$750
1 Available 2 Available
5 Available
8 Available
3 Available Limited
2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor 25,000
Benefits
Category exclusivity
Complimentary premium table for 10 guests
Exposure & Recognition
Prominent logo placement on event communications, program, entrance poster, and sponsor reel at the event
Prominent acknowledgement and logo on event webpage
Prominent acknowledgement on SMLS monitors throughout the school
Prominent acknowledgement in SMLS social media posts (LinkedIn ~1100 followers, Facebook ~600, Instagram ~2100)
Prominent recognition in SMLS newsletters: Millie Memo (~1,000 readers) and Alumnae Newsletter (~1,700 readers)
Verbal acknowledgment by Event Chairs during the event
Corporate logo embedded in event logo
Advertising
Two-page spread advertisement in event programme and logo on program cover (to be provided by sponsor)
Additional Benefits
Recognition in post-event SMLS communication
Opportunity to provide a branded gift for attendees (to be provided by sponsor)
Platinum Sponsor 15,000
Benefits
Category exclusivity
Complimentary premium table for 10 guests
Exposure & Recognition
Prominent logo placement on event communications, program, entrance poster, and sponsor reel at the event
Prominent acknowledgement and logo on event webpage
Prominent acknowledgement on SMLS monitors throughout the school
Prominent acknowledgment in SMLS social media posts (LinkedIn ~1100 followers, Facebook ~600, Instagram ~2100)
Prominent recognition in SMLS newsletters: Millie Memo (~1,000 readers) and Alumnae Newsletter (~1,700 readers)
Advertising
One-page spread advertisement in event program (to be provided by sponsor)
Additional Benefits
Recognition in post-event SMLS communication
Dinner Sponsor:
Recognition on the printed menu at each table
Silent Auction Sponsor:
Recognition on the mobile silent auction platform, accessible to all event attendees and members of the SMLS community
Benefits
Category exclusivity in one of the below options
Complimentary table for 10 guests
Exposure & Recognition
Logo placement on event communications, program, entrance poster, and sponsor reel at the event
Acknowledgement and logo on event webpage
Acknowledgement on SMLS monitors throughout the school
Acknowledgment in SMLS social media posts (LinkedIn ~1100 followers, Facebook ~600, Instagram ~2100)
Advertising
One-page spread advertisement in event program (to be provided by sponsor)
Additional Benefits
Recognition in post-event SMLS communication
Gold Sponsor 10,000
Décor Sponsor: Printed recognition displayed on tables and throughout the Speakeasy lounge
Entertainment Sponsor: Verbal acknowledgment during the event and printed recognition near the stage
Main Bar Sponsor: Custom cocktail creation and recognition on cocktail napkins
Live Auction Sponsor: Verbal acknowledgment by the auctioneer and recognition on screen during the entire live auction
Valet Sponsor: Printed recognition on valet poster at front entrance
Silver Sponsor 5,000
Benefits
Category exclusivity in one of the below options
4 complimentary tickets with the option to purchase additional tickets at a reduced price
Exposure & Recognition
Logo placement on event communications, program, entrance poster, and sponsor reel at the event
Acknowledgement and logo on event webpage
Acknowledgement on SMLS monitors throughout the school
Acknowledgment in SMLS social media posts (LinkedIn ~1100 followers, Facebook ~600, Instagram ~2100)
Advertising
Half-page spread advertisement in event program (to be provided by sponsor)
Additional Benefits
Recognition in post-event SMLS communication
Silver Sponsor 5,000
Bourbon Bar Sponsor: Printed recognition at the Bourbon Bar
Trip Sponsor: Verbal acknowledgment by the auctioneer and recognition on screen during that trip auction
Heads or Tails Sponsor: Verbal acknowledgment and recognition on screen during Heads or Tails
Print Sponsor: Recognition on select printed event materials
Photography Sponsor: Acknowledgment in post-event communication sharing photo link with attendees
Champagne Wall Sponsor: Recognition on Champagne Wall
VIP Table Experience: Printed recognition on VIP table
Safe Heist Experience: Printed recognition at the experience
Bronze Sponsor 2,500
Benefits
Category exclusivity in one of the below options
2 complimentary tickets with the option to purchase additional tickets at a reduced price
Exposure & Recognition
Logo placement on event communications, program, entrance poster, and sponsor reel at the event
Additional Benefits
Recognition in post-event SMLS communication
Bronze Category Options (Choose one)
Photo booth
Dessert Technology
Finished artwork to be supplied. $ $
Half-Page Ad – $500
Full-Page Ad – $750
CRA Guidelines
SMLS is grateful to our 2024 Parent Social donors and we are pleased to recognize and receive every donation to the full extent permitted by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). As a registered charity, SMLS is bound by both the letter and spirit of the charitable tax law and will not knowingly do anything that might put its registered status at risk.
Donors of items to be used as prizes at the event may be entitled to official donation receipts if the gifts comply with CRA’s regulations and if a fair market value can be established under CRA regulations; the onus of determining fair market value rests solely on the charity issuing the donation receipt. CRA will not accept an evaluation made by the donor. A donor who purchases an item to donate to the event at wholesale or retail cost must supply a detailed bill of sale, invoice, statement, cash register tape, or equivalent with evidence that he/she has paid for the item. A packing slip will not suffice. A donation receipt can be issued if the claim is supported by such documentation but only for the pre-tax amount.
Gifts of art, antique furniture, jewellery, ‘classic’ automobiles, memorabilia, fine wines and the like (where a fair market value assessment is not readily available) must be appraised by an independent third party who is generally recognized as having expertise in the particular field in question, and who is acceptable to both the donor and SMLS. Appraisals for insurance purposes are not acceptable to CRA. Depending on the value of the piece(s), SMLS may require two or more third party appraisals. As well, SMLS will require an additional form to be completed and signed by the donor confirming whether or not the item was acquired within the past three years. If the item was acquired within the past three years, the tax donation amount cannot exceed the lesser of the cost to the donor and the fair market value established by the appraiser.
CRA Guidelines
Hospitality gifts, such as dinners or cocktail parties at people’s homes and similar items, are considered by CRA to have no comparable market value and therefore a receipt can only be issued for the actual cost of the dinner components where supported by appropriate invoices, cash register tapes or their equivalents.
Gifts of time at vacation properties, on boats, and the like are considered by CRA to be a gift of service as the title to the property has not changed. To receive a donation receipt for this type of gift, SMLS must be invoiced and pay for the service at its market value. The donor can then voluntarily return the same amount as a cash donation and receive a tax receipt as an ‘exchange of cheques’. The value should be agreed to be fair and reasonable by both the donor and SMLS.
The points above deal with several common instances, and are not meant to cover every eventuality. If your situation is less straightforward, please contact the SMLS advancement office at 905-845-5830 EXT. 315
