10th Annual “You Make Me Better” Gala
Friday, October 9th
5:00 PM
The Depot, Minneapolis and Globally via Livestream
In-Person tickets are now sold out!
We have been blown away by the interest in the 2026 ‘You Make Me Better’ Gala! Our in-person tickets are now sold out. To join our waitlist, please click below.
The Gala is a night of celebrating those we love with Down syndrome and the countless ways they make us better. Join us for a heartwarming evening filled with inspirational stories and exciting opportunities to fund our mission as we celebrate 10 years of this impactful event!
Registration
In-Person Tickets:
- Single Ticket: $220
- Table of 10: $2,200
Livestream Tickets:
- Tickets to the livestream are free
Event Details
5:00 PM – Social Hour & Silent Auction
7:00 PM – Welcome & Plated Dinner
8:00 PM – Program
9:30 PM – 12:00 AM – Dancing & Late Night Pizza
Room Block
Looking to stay at The Depot? Take advantage of discounted pricing when you book via our room block. Reservations must be made by September 18th.
Can’t attend but still want to make a meaningful impact?
Fund the Mission
We simply cannot do this work alone. By contributing to our Fund The Mission, you ensure that we can continue connecting with families, equipping providers, and celebrating babies with Down syndrome the way they deserve to be. Together, we can help every family’s story begin with “Congratulations!”
Sponsor the Gala
This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We invite you to be a special part of this year’s milestone Gala as we celebrate 10 years of this impactful event. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities by clicking below.
Contribute to the Silent Auction
Consider donating a product, service, or experience to the Silent Auction! The auction is available to our 1,000 in-person Gala attendees, plus thousands more online!
FAQs
The “You Make Me Better” Gala will be held at The Depot at the Renaissance Hotel. The address is 225 South 3rd Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. We will be gathering in the Winter Garden Room and the Great Hall for social hour and the silent auction, beginning at 5:00 PM. The event will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
On-site street-level and underground parking options are available at the Depot for an hourly rate. Enter on the east side of the building on South 5th Ave. If you park underground, we recommend parking in the Red Zone P or P2 and following the signs to the elevator. Don’t want to deal with parking? Get dropped off curbside by taking a Lyft, Uber, or a taxi to the Gala.
Cocktail attire is encouraged. Some guests enjoy dressing up a bit more! No tuxes are required for men. Looking for inspiration? Check out photos from our previous galas by searching #youmakemebettergala on social media!
Social Hour will begin at 5:00 PM, which includes access to the Silent Auction, Lake Minnetonka Boat Raffle, and Diamond Pull. The bars and our merchandise room will both be open during this time as well. The Ballroom doors will open at 6:30, and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM. We encourage you to arrive no later than 6:15 to give yourself time to park, check in at registration, and find your table.
Yes! You can book via our room block here. Reservations must be made by September 18th in order to receive the discounted rate.
We can’t thank you enough for helping to support our mission! On the night of the event, we will accept cash, checks, and credit cards. You will have the opportunity to enter your credit card information when you check in at registration. We also accept Donor-Advised Funds and stock donations. If you have a question about how best to give, please contact giving@jacksbasket.org.
The Silent Auction will open online on Wednesday, October 7th at 9 AM (Central). A link will be available on our website and will be shared via email. The Silent Auction will be available to onsite guests during Social Hour (5:00-7:00 PM) and will remain open online until 7 PM.
The Silent Auction is open to both onsite and virtual guests.
This year’s live auction is going to be the most exciting one yet! Details about the five items that will be available will be shared mid-September.
Yes, we will have multiple bars available for you to purchase drinks, as well as the option to buy bottles of wine for your table. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Yes! The Gala Program will be available via livestream at 8 PM (Central) on October 10th. Virtual registration is free! Register here by clicking “Tickets” to receive the livestream link the week of the Gala.
Please email info@jacksbasket.org or call (651) 456-8321. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you have about the Gala!
Yes! We are grateful for your support. Every dollar supports our mission and ensures every family receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis is met with celebration and hope from the very beginning. Gala donations can be made online.
Thank you to our 2026 Gala Sponsors
You Make Me Better Sponsor
Legacy Basket Sponsors
Community Builder Sponsor
Bundle of Joy Sponsors
Wrapped with Love Sponsors
Ascentek
Covey
Financial Planning Navigators
Infinity Direct
MapleTree Pediatric Dentistry
Old National Bank
Warners’ Stellian Appliance
Yerigan Construction
Congratulations Sponsors
Brausen Family Automotive
DODS – Dads of Down Syndrome
Foy-Cross Group
Isaacson Gentle Dentistry
National Down Syndrome Society
Superior Automotive
Previous Galas
We’ve held our gala each fall since 2017. Take a trip down memory lane and revisit previous galas here. You’ll find an archive of event recordings, photos, and videos.