When
Saturday, April 24, 2027
Where
Gaelic Park · Oak Forest
Attire
Cocktail / formal
Benefiting
St. Gerald students
Special guest · Keynote speaker
Rudy Ruettiger
The true story behind the movie Rudy — live and in person at The Giant Gala.
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger grew up in Joliet, Illinois, the third of fourteen children, and overcame dyslexia and long odds to walk on to the Notre Dame football team. On the last play of the only game of his college career, in 1975, he sacked the quarterback and was carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders. His story became the 1993 film Rudy, which USA Today has named the best football movie of all time. Today he is a motivational speaker and author who has inspired audiences for more than 25 years.
Rudy’s keynote is part of the evening for every guest.
Program subject to change.
The evening
An invitation to something new.
This is our first gala — the night the foundation steps forward. Expect a warm, celebratory evening with the St. Gerald community at its center.
Welcome, browse, and bid
A hosted meal and a few words
The heart of the evening
Toast to the Giants
Schedule is illustrative — final program to be confirmed.
Be a part of it
Sponsorship & tickets
Sponsor a table, host friends, or join us for the night. Choose a tier below and check out securely — or reserve now and pay by check.
Platinum Sponsor
Approx. $8,300 tax-deductible
Become Platinum SponsorGold Sponsor
Approx. $4,150 tax-deductible
Become Gold SponsorSilver Sponsor
Approx. $1,650 tax-deductible
Become Silver SponsorTable Host
A great way to celebrate with your fellow alums.
Approx. $650 tax-deductible
Reserve a TableIndividual Ticket
Approx. $65 tax-deductible
Buy a TicketMore than one seat?
Tickets are $150 each, of which $65 per seat is tax-deductible. Pick the number of seats you need — ten seats is a full table, above.
What’s tax-deductible
Each seat at the gala has an estimated fair market value of $85 — dinner and the evening itself. Under IRS rules, only the amount you pay above that value is a charitable contribution. A $150 ticket is a $65 gift; a table of ten at $1,500 is $650.
Sponsor recognition — signage, program listings, mentions from the podium — carries no value for this purpose, so only the seats are counted. That is why a $5,000 Gold Sponsorship with a table of ten is $4,150 deductible. We’ll confirm the exact figure in writing in your acknowledgment letter.
Ticket and sponsorship refunds are covered by our refund policy. Payments are processed by Clover; we never see your card details.
Prefer to pay by check
Reserve your place now.
Tell us which tier you’d like and we’ll hold it, then send an invoice with payment details. Nothing is charged here.
This reserves your place — it does not take payment. We’ll be in touch within a few business days. Refunds are covered by our refund policy.
Stay in the loop
Not ready to book yet?
Join the gala list and we’ll send you auction previews, the evening’s program, and a nudge before seats run out.
Please enter a valid email, or write to info@tgefoundation.org.