Gala will take place in Baird Ballroom on August 22, 2026
Baird Center is excited to announce that the Racine Zoological Society is the recipient of the highly coveted 2025 Baird Center Gala Giveaway.
An astounding 123 submissions flooded in when entry opened in January. This high number of outstanding submissions from the non-profit community resulted in the closest winning margin since the contest’s inception.
“Choosing this year’s Gala Giveaway winner was extremely difficult,” Wisconsin Center District President and CEO Marty Brooks said. “The impact these charities have on the lives of people throughout our community cannot be understated and selecting just one from so many worthy entries is always a little bittersweet.”
The Racine Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operates the Racine Zoo. Since 1923, the organization has been committed to their mission of wildlife and land conservation, advocacy, education and offering an affordable wildlife experience for people of all ages.
“Southeastern Wisconsin is full of amazing nonprofits that uplift our community, and the Racine Zoological Society is a perfect example,” Marty Brooks said. “They run a world-class zoo and bring conservation education and an appreciation for wildlife to people of all backgrounds. We are thrilled to award them this once-in-a-lifetime gala opportunity.”
The Racine Zoological Society is the third-ever recipient of Baird Center’s Gala Giveaway. The prize was first awarded in 2023 as a way to support and highlight Milwaukee-area nonprofits. The giveaway package includes a complimentary, all-expenses paid gala in the Baird Center’s breathtaking rooftop Baird Ballroom valued at $63,000.
This includes:
- Complimentary room rental of the stunning rooftop Baird Ballroom.
- Access to ample Pre-function space.
- Full use of the Baird Sky View Terrace, with sweeping views of the Milwaukee skyline.
- A chef-curated three-course menu for up to 500 guests.
- Two bottles of red and two bottles of white wine per table.
- Tables, chairs, linens and place settings.
- CTI audio visual credit for up to $15,000.
- Mutually agreed upon date in 2026 to host the gala.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Center District will devote 40 staff volunteer hours to the winning organization.
“We are beyond excited to be the winners of the Baird Center Gala Giveaway,” Executive Director of the Racine Zoo Beth Heidorn said. “This amazing surprise gives us an incredible head start on our new capital campaign to fund two new important resources at the Racine Zoo. These projects will allow us to continue to give the best care to our animals and expand our ability to create positive and educational interactions between people and the natural world. The gala is going to be spectacular and we hope you all join us in 2026.”
These events have proven to beneficial to the organizations and the community. For the inaugural gala giveaway, the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin broke a fundraising record at its gala, raising over $360,000.
First Stage, a Milwaukee theater company and nonprofit, will host its Make Believe Ball on April 19 after winning the giveaway in 2024.
We Have a Winner
Watch the 2025 Baird Center Gala Giveaway winners learn they won the all-expenses paid gala.