I Can't Believe It's Not A Gala

That’s right. There will be no honorees, no speeches, no dancing this year. It’s just that kind of a year.

Instead, we invite you and your guests to join NPR and KPCC/LAist hosts, reporters, and special guests for a series of intimate virtual events.

Zoom with Susan Stamberg and Nina Totenberg, laugh with Paula Poundstone, or play ball with Larry Mantle.

There’s something for everyone and all events support Southern California Public Radio to bring you the news and information you rely on.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We’re doing things the stay-at-home way. Instead of buying a ticket or sponsoring a table, sponsorship of I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Gala allows you access to an intimate, virtual event with NPR and KPCC hosts and reporters as well as some special guests. With each sponsorship, you will get a specified number of Zoom links for you and your guests to enjoy and a specialized gift basket tailored to your event.

Sponsors can access any event at the level of their donation or below. If you chose an event at a lesser value, please contact Daphne Liu at events@scpr.org so we can reserve your spot. All sponsors will be recognized on the I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Gala website and in the Annual Report. You can purchase sponsorships right here online or get more information about paying by check or credit card by emailing events@kpcc.org.

Reserve your spot by March 1. Space is limited!

All events will begin with a musical medley by SCPR special friend and supporter
John Tu and his band JT & Friends.

Diamond $50,000

($48,563 is tax deductible)

4 Zoom links per sponsorship, 5 sponsorships available

Founding Mothers of NPR Susan Stamberg, Nina Totenberg, and Linda Wertheimer hosted by Tonya Mosley

Saturday, March 20, 4pm

Join the three pioneering journalists affectionately known as NPR’s founding mothers. Susan Stamberg, Nina Totenberg, and Linda Wertheimer were on the air in the early days of NPR when there were few women on radio or TV. Tonya Mosley, host of NPR's Here & Now, will moderate the discussion as they reflect on their groundbreaking careers, share behind-the-scenes stories, and answer your questions.

Platinum $35,000

($33,721 is tax deductible)

3 Zoom links per sponsorship, 8 sponsorships available

Comedy Night with Paula Poundstone

Wednesday, March 24, 7pm

Test your wit with the legendary Paula Poundstone in an evening of comedy and laughs. Time magazine listed Paula’s HBO special as one of the 5 funniest stand-up specials ever and she can be heard weekly on Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.

Titanium $25,000

($23,556 is tax deductible)

3 Zoom links per sponsorship, 7 sponsorships available

Embracing 'Gut Churn' with Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad

Thursday, March 11, 6pm

Radiolab host and multimedia storytelling icon Jad Abumrad tackles anxiety, creativity, and collaboration in this digital environment we all know too well. Everyone has a front row seat for this intimate, interactive show and conversation.

Titanium $25,000

($24,575 is tax deductible)

3 Zoom links per sponsorship, 7 sponsorships available

Inside Politics with Mara Liasson and Libby Denkmann

Tuesday, March 16, 6pm

Political news junkies rejoice! NPR’s Mara Liasson and KPCC/LAist’s Libby Denkmann are partnering to talk all-things politics and give you behind-the-scenes insights from both Washington, DC and Southern California. Get your questions ready!

Gold $10,000

($9,872 is tax deductible)

2 Zoom links per sponsorship, 10 sponsorships available

Triple Play with A Martínez, Larry Mantle, and Nick Roman

Wednesday, March 31, 7pm

Play ball with KPCC’s free-wheeling trio of baseball aficionados A Martínez, Larry Mantle, and Nick Roman. They may slide, steal, or throw you out at home as the reigning World Series champion Dodgers and the Angels prepare to throw out the first pitch of the 2021 baseball season.

Gold $10,000

($9,879 is tax deductible)

2 Zoom links per sponsorship, 9 sponsorships available

Mock Editorial Meeting with KPCC News Staff

Thursday, March 25, 10am

Which stories get covered? Who decides? Sit down with members of KPCC’s editorial team to talk through the biggest stories of the day and help brainstorm ideas for coverage. You’ll learn how our newsroom works and how decisions get made. In fact, your idea could be featured on a future show!

Silver $5,000

($4,800 is tax deductible)

2 Zoom links per sponsorship, 11 sponsorships available

Jazz It Up with Austin Cross

Wednesday, April 7, 7pm

KPCC news anchor Austin Cross takes you on a virtual tour of the great jazz clubs of LA – some long gone, some still around. He’s invited legendary jazz singer Barbara Morrison and writer and musician Sean J. O’Connell along to provide the soundtrack and may play a tune or two himself!

Bronze $1,000

($962 is tax deductible)

One Zoom link per sponsorship, unlimited sponsorships

Trivia Night with special guests John Horn and Susanne Whatley

Friday, April 9, 6:30pm

KPCC listeners are known to be curious, well-informed, and all-around smart cookies. Put your knowledge to the test at our trivia night alongside KPCC hosts John Horn and Susanne Whatley. The winner gets something special: bragging rights!

JT & Friends

We are grateful for the support and friendship of John Tu, co-founder and CEO of Kingston Technology. Through John’s spirit of philanthropy, he formed JT & Friends, a 50+ member band, to support gala fundraising efforts of non-profit organizations throughout Southern California. Since SCPR’s inaugural gala in 2015, we have been honored to feature the musical talents of JT & Friends at our signature fundraising event. Thank you, John, for your kindness and generosity!

Thank you to our sponsors

Diamond
Molly Munger and Stephen English
Robert and Ann Ronus

Platinum
Anonymous
Dolores Grunigen
Nancy Stark and Stanley Iezman
Winnie Kho
Ward Family Foundation
Deborah Heitz and Shaw Wagener

Titanium
Tim and Sandy Armour
Alicia Miñana and Rob Lovelace

Gold
Bob and Sara Adler
Melissa and Bob Alvarado
Peter Benedek
California Community Foundation
Grant and Peggy Cambridge
Edison International
Esther Chui Chao/Giant Panda Management
John and Louise Bryson
Johnny Carson Foundation
Rob Klausner
Dianna Lau and Kevin Beggs and Lionsgate
Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Family Foundation
Joe Lumarda/California Wellness Foundation
Wendy and Barry Meyer
Mary-Jane Wagle

Silver
City National Bank South Bay Private Banking
Janice and Larry Hoffmann
Susan Steinhauser and Dan Greenberg
Geraldine Laybourne
Betsy and Ted Merchant
James and Marla Ryan
Jordan and Yolanda Sollitto

Bronze
Bianca Barlas
Bruce Bauer/CARS
Bel Air Investment Advisors
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Lisa and Jeffrey Cohen
Corinna Cotsen and Lee Rosenbaum
Glen and Elizabeth Friedman
Barbara N. Horowitz
Barbara and John House
Shirley Hsiao
Gail and Robert Israel
Nikhil and Ela Jhaveri
Susan Napier
John Patzakis
Chris Schmidt
Ana Valdez
Scott Walker
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
James Yaffe

2021 Gala Chair

Nancy Stark

Board of Trustees

Danny Acosta

Melissa Alvarado

Brad Barrett

Kevin Beggs

Peter Benedek

Esther Chao

Gordon Crawford

Lynda Boone Fetter

Bryony Gagan

Barbara N. Horowitz

Jihee Kim Huh

Winnie Kho, Treasurer

Ofelia Kumpf

Michael Lawson

Capri Maddox, Esq.

Jon R. McTaggart

Drew Murphy, Chair

Dr. James B. Pick

Guy Primus

Peter Rice

Virgil Roberts

Herb Scannell, President

Christina Singleton

Nancy Stark

Susan Steinhauser, Esq.

Ana Valdez

Mary-Jane Wagle, Secretary

Catherine M. Ward, Vice Chair

Honorary Life Trustees

Robert L. Adler

Louise Henry Bryson

Fernando J. Guerra, Ph.D.

David Hill

C. Douglas Kranwinkle

Stewart Kwoh

Jarl Mohn

Ronald L. Olson

Constance L. Rice

Marilyn Sutton, Ph.D.

Charles Woo

President Emeritus

Bill Davis