More than 250 guests gathered at The Prado in Balboa Park for an unforgettable evening supporting San Diego students and celebrating the power of opportunity.
On Saturday, October 17, A Bridge for Kids welcomed more than 250 guests to DreamMakers 2026, marking a new chapter for the organization's signature fundraising event. Held for the first time at the beautiful Prado in Balboa Park, the evening brought together supporters, sponsors, and community leaders for a record-breaking night of generosity, entertainment, and inspiration.
From exciting casino games and extraordinary live auction experiences to an energetic After Hours celebration featuring dueling pianos, DreamMakers 2026 was a night to remember. But beyond the festivities was a shared commitment to ensuring that talented, hardworking students have the opportunities they deserve.
A Night of Record-Breaking Generosity
The evening marked the most successful DreamMakers fundraising event in A Bridge for Kids' 14-year history. One of the night's highlights was an extraordinary $100,000 challenge grant that was fully matched, inspiring guests to come together in support of students from low-income families throughout San Diego County.
The record-breaking evening follows another major milestone earlier this year, when supporters contributed more than $500,000 to launch the organization's Bridge Forward Endowment, helping create a lasting foundation of support for future generations of students.
Together, these achievements reflect the growing generosity of the A Bridge for Kids community and its commitment to making educational opportunity accessible to all.
The Power of Believing in a Student's Future
During his opening remarks, founder and CEO Michael Nance reflected on the organization's growth since sponsoring its first two students in 2012.
"Opportunity should never depend on a child's ZIP code. It should depend on hard work, determination and determination." Today, A Bridge for Kids has awarded more than 1,200 sponsorships, and for nine consecutive years, 100% of its graduating seniors have gone on to college.
One of the evening's most moving moments came from student speaker Katrin Lobach, who shared her family's journey from Poland, her dream of becoming a doctor, and the opportunities and confidence she gained through A Bridge for Kids.
"You may think you are funding a summer program. A class. A mentor. A scholarship. But you are doing something much bigger. You are changing what a child believes is possible."
Her words captured the true meaning of DreamMakers: investing in young people today can change the trajectory of their lives, their families, and generations to come.
Relive the Magic of DreamMakers 2026!
Whether you joined us on the casino floor, raised your paddle, danced the night away, or captured a memorable moment with friends, we invite you to relive the excitement!
Generational Change Starts With You
None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our guests, sponsors, donors, honorary and event committees, and dedicated volunteers who helped bring DreamMakers 2026 to life.
To everyone who attended, contributed, volunteered, or supported us from afar, thank you for making this our most successful DreamMakers yet.
Together, we're doing more than changing individual lives. We're creating opportunities that can change families for generations to come.
Generational Change Starts With You.