Grand Grunion Gala

Don’t miss the best beach party in town at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium! We’ll kick off the evening with craft cocktails and a silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner, program and live auction in the courtyard. Then join us for dancing under the stars!

We expect over 400 guests, including business, community and civic leaders, scientists, educators, volunteers and friends. Our guests make the Gala the Aquarium’s largest fundraiser, raising more than $3 million in the last decade.

HONORING

Check back soon for details on the 2026 John M. Olguin Marine Environment Award, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Community Leadership Award and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Education Award recipients.

THE NEED

Recognized internationally as one of the best teaching aquariums in the world, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers 250,000 visitors each year a FREE or low-cost experience that’s fun for the entire family. About half of our annual visitors are schoolchildren on field trips— many of whom tell us they’ve never been to the beach! Your support funds programs benefitting the entire community, including:

Ocean Outreach – When classes can’t come to us, we take our show on the road, reaching up to 25,000 students annually with our custom-equipped vans.
Spring Outdoor Classroom – Every day for nine weeks, more than 1,000 children learn important (and fun!) marine science on the beach right outside our doors.
Aquatic Nursery – Young scientists conduct research projects in our award-winning laboratory. Many go on to win prizes at regional, national and international science fairs.
Sea Search – Specially tailored workshops provide students with scientific tools to study the coastal environment. Scholarships help at-risk children experience the ocean–some for the
first time.

SPONSOR THE EVENT

TITLE $25,000
Seating for 20 in a premium location. Four bottles of premium wine. Title sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Special mention and/or video during program. VIP cabana seating at after party.

DIAMOND $15,000
Seating for 12 in a premium location. Two bottles of premium wine. Diamond sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Special mention and/or video during program. Reserved seating at after party.

PLATINUM $10,000
Seating for 10 in a preferred location. Two bottles of premium wine. Platinum sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Special mention during program.

GOLD $7,500
Seating for 8 in a preferred location. Two bottles of wine. Gold sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Mention during program.

SILVER $5,000
Seating for 6. Silver sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Mention during program.

BRONZE $3,500
Seating for 4. Bronze sponsor listing in invitation and on event signage. Website and social media recognition. Mention during program.

TABLE SPONSOR $2,750
Seating for 10. Name/logo at table.

*Please feel free to call us if you would like to customize your sponsorship.

2026 GALA SPONSORS

DIAMOND – $15,000

Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Expo Sponsor Port of LA

PLATINUM – $10,000

Anonymous Donor

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Neu Brothers Holdings, Inc.

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GOLD – $7,500

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Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sponsor Water Replenishment District

SILVER – $5,000

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Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sponsor Rich Development Enterprises
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FCMA | SoCalGas Sponsor

BRONZE – $3,500

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Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP

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Pensioners Globe
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Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Sponsor Watson Land Company