This year’s Madison Country Day School fundraising gala comes with something new: Every purchased ticket through the door at Friday’s event has a chance to win one free tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year.
“We wanted to grow more community, and people getting involved to celebrate with us,” Interim Director of Development Adina Gasser said. “And who doesn’t want to win free tuition for a year?”
Ellyn and Jonathan Funkhouser will serve as parent chairs for the April 24 event.
“In the past, many parents viewed the gala as purely a fundraiser for the school’s Fund-a-Need projects,” Ellyn Funkhouser said. “Adding a full-year tuition raffle prize this year is intended not only to attract attention, but also to highlight that the gala is an annual community celebration where everyone is welcome. After all, the more, the merrier!”
The “Elevated Evening of Purpose and Piano” will be held off-campus at the Garver Feed Mill in Madison and will feature a live auction, a reintroduced silent auction, and a dueling pianos act.
“The off-site location is what we are most looking forward to, because in previous years, many staff and parents had to spend a considerable amount of time organizing the event,” Jonathan Funkhouser said. “This year, everyone can simply focus on enjoying the celebration.”
It is the first time in more than a decade that the gala has been hosted at an off-site location.
To begin the night, guests can expect signature cocktails from the event sponsors and a Wisconsin Supper Club dinner on the main floor. “A Few of our Favorite Things” is the theme of the evening’s silent auction, with members of MCDS’s Board of Trustees arranging baskets based on their interests.
“We are going to premiere a beautiful video that was made for the school.” Gasser said.
The live auction will be led by professional auctioneer TiWanna “TK” Kenney. Based in Austin, Texas, she holds the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation from the National Auctioneers Association and is known for her positive energy and use of storytelling to engage audiences.
“She is a powerhouse and super entertaining,” Gasser said.
The Stepping Stone awards will honor volunteers and staff who have made remarkable contributions to the school. These recognitions include the Leadership and Action, Decade of Dedication, and Extraordinary Volunteer awards.
“Parents can expect to be thrilled and entertained,” Gasser said.
Piano Fondue, a duelling piano act driven by audience requests, including comedy and high-energy music, will encourage the audience to dance and sing along.
The paddle raise will be the most important fundraiser of the night, which will support the school’s Fund-a-Need project. The surprise of this project will be revealed that night.
The gala offers a unique opportunity for guests to engage with the MCDS’s community while enjoying a night of entertainment and helping to support the school in an impactful way.
“The gala is one of the only times of the year when staff and parents come together to celebrate MCDS as a cohesive community,” Jonathan Funkhouser said, “while also raising much-needed funds to support the school’s ongoing development and bring special campus projects to life.”
For tickets, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/celebratemcdsgala/event/celebratemcdsgala/ or click the image below.
