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.
Online Purchase
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.
Online Purchase
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.
Online Purchase
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!
Online Purchase
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.
Online Purchase
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!
Online Purchase
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!
Online Purchase
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!
Online Purchase
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
Shaw Wagener
Titanium
Tim and Sandy Armour
Alicia Miñana and Rob Lovelace
Gold
Bob and Sara Adler
Peter Benedek
California Community Foundation
Edison International
Esther S.M. Chui Chao and Giant Panda Management
John and Louise Bryson
Johnny Carson Foundation
Rob Klausner
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
Jordan Sollitto
Bronze
Bruce Bauer/CARS
Bel Air Investment Advisors
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Glen and Elizabeth Friedman
Barbara N. Horowitz
Barbara and John House
Susan Napier
Chris Schmidt
Ana Valdez
Carol Vernon and Robert Turbin
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