Branding a School Gala to Inspire Donor Engagement and Support

The challenge was creating gala branding that would emotionally connect donors to the student experience while clearly conveying the school’s mission and impact. The invitation and event experience needed to feel meaningful, distinctive, and aligned with the school’s commitment to helping students build independence and purposeful lives.

Cooke School and Institute is a private school in New York City that educates students with diverse developmental disabilities, from early childhood through young adulthood. For the third consecutive year, Trillion partnered with Cooke to brand the Food for Thought gala, hosted at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers.

Gala Invitation Design and Immersive Event Branding

The theme for the evening, “Navigating the World,” was chosen to reflect how students at Cooke gain independence. Trillion centered the design around the concept of navigation, drawing inspiration from how humans have historically used the night sky and constellations to find their way. The connecting lines between stars became a visual metaphor for each student’s individual journey toward independence.

The design featured a dark color palette, elegant typography, and pearlescent Stardream paper. Metallic silver envelope, raised gold polymer detailing, and matte soft-touch coating created a piece that felt both elegant and celebratory.

Beyond the printed invitation, Trillion extended the branding across the entire gala experience. This included an animated digital Save the Date, transparent graphics applied to large window walls, chef and restaurant signage, posters, main stage backgrounds, and step-and-repeat backdrops. Tabletop centerpieces and window graphics incorporated student artwork, reinforcing the connection between the event and Cooke’s students.

Gala Event Outcomes and Fundraising Impact

The Food for Thought gala welcomed 408 guests and raised $800,000 to support Cooke’s students.