Alberta’s Education Foundation Hosts Its Inaugural Fundraising Gala
The MaKami Education Foundation — Alberta’s registered education charity dedicated to removing barriers to post-secondary learning — is proud to announce the inaugural Guiding Lights Gala, taking place on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the iconic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, Empire Ballroom in Edmonton. This landmark evening brings together visionary leaders, philanthropists, and community champions in celebration of education’s power to transform lives across Alberta.
Alberta’s Education Foundation Takes the Stage
For more than a decade, the MaKami Education Foundation has worked quietly and diligently behind the scenes — funding scholarships, providing wraparound student support, and opening doors for Albertans who face extraordinary barriers on the path to education. The Guiding Lights Gala marks a new and public chapter for the foundation: a first annual event that invites the broader Alberta community to witness and share in that mission.
As an Education Foundation rooted in Alberta, MEF understands that the students it serves — newcomers, single parents, career transitioners, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and individuals rebuilding their lives — are not on the margins of society. They are its future. And with the right support, they can rise.
“When I came to Canada as a young mother, every door felt closed. The MaKami College Education Foundation opened one that changed everything. Today I am working in a career I love, supporting my children, and building a life filled with possibility. Your support made that future possible.”
— Avelina Reyes, MaKami College Graduate
Event Details at a Glance
✦ Guiding Lights Gala — Event Information
📅DateSaturday, May 16, 2026
🏛VenueFairmont Hotel Macdonald — Empire Ballroom, Edmonton, Alberta
🕔Doors Open5:00 PM (VIP Reception)
🎟TicketsAvailable individually or by table via Eventbrite
🎯Proceeds100% go directly to student education support
An Evening Program Designed to Inspire
The Guiding Lights Gala is more than a fundraising dinner — it is a celebration of what becomes possible when a community rallies around education. Guests will enjoy an elegant, purpose-driven evening at one of Edmonton’s most storied venues, the Empire Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | VIP Reception |
| 5:30 PM | Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner, Donor Awards & Live Auction |
| 8:30 PM | Dancing with Live Entertainment |
From an exclusive VIP reception to live entertainment and a spirited auction, every moment of the evening is crafted to connect attendees with the students whose lives their generosity helps shape.
Where Purpose Meets Possibility: The Impact of Your Support
Every dollar raised at the Guiding Lights Gala flows directly back into MEF’s programs — fuelling the kind of transformational change that reaches far beyond a single classroom. As an Education Foundation serving Alberta students at every stage of their journey, MEF’s impact is holistic and lasting.
Your Support Funds
- Scholarships and bursaries covering tuition, books, and supplies
- Academic and wellness support services
- Childcare assistance for student parents
- Emergency financial aid for students in crisis
- English as a Second Language (ESL) training
- Job skills training and employment readiness programs
- Mental health counselling and wraparound community support
These are not luxury programs. For many MEF students, they are the difference between starting an educational journey and never being able to begin one at all. When an Alberta newcomer can access ESL training alongside her post-secondary studies, she does not just graduate — she becomes a mentor, a professional, and a contributor to the communities that welcomed her.
This is philanthropy that creates ripple effects. And the Guiding Lights Gala is how that philanthropy comes to life.
Who Should Attend the Guiding Lights Gala?
The Guiding Lights Gala is designed for anyone who believes in the transforming power of education and wants to make a tangible difference in Alberta communities. This includes:
The Gala Welcomes
- Business leaders and corporate philanthropists
- Community changemakers and non-profit advocates
- Alumni and supporters of MaKami College
- Education advocates across Alberta
- Individuals looking to invest meaningfully in their community
- Organizations seeking partnership and sponsorship opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Organizations that align with the MaKami Education Foundation’s mission have a unique opportunity to amplify their community impact through the Guiding Lights Gala. Sponsorship packages offer meaningful brand visibility alongside a cause that matters — supporting Albertans who are overcoming extraordinary barriers to pursue their education.
For complete sponsorship details, download the Donor & Sponsorship Package or contact Laura Smart directly to discuss how your organization can play a role in illuminating futures across Alberta.
Can’t Make It? You Can Still Make a Difference
If attending in person isn’t possible, the MaKami Education Foundation warmly welcomes online donations — and every contribution goes directly to student education. There is no administrative overhead removing your gift from the students who need it most. 100% of proceeds support MEF’s programs.
Whether you purchase a gala ticket, reserve a table for your team, sponsor the event, or make an online donation, you are becoming part of the movement to ensure that every Albertan — regardless of their circumstances — has access to a quality education and the support to succeed.
About the MaKami Education Foundation
The MaKami Education Foundation is an Alberta-based registered charity (Charitable No. 843277211 RR 0001) with offices in Edmonton and Calgary. Formerly known as Queen Esther Education Foundation, the organization rebranded in September 2024 to better reflect its deep connection to MaKami College — Alberta’s publicly funded, not-for-profit post-secondary institution.
As an Education Foundation serving Alberta since 2010, MEF has championed inclusive access to post-secondary education for immigrants and newcomers, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, victims of human trafficking, individuals navigating addiction recovery, and students facing socio-economic hardship.