Filoli Announces the Harvest Gala, the Most Enchanting Evening in the Bay Area
WOODSIDE, CA – August 12, 2025 — On Friday, September 26, Filoli will offer friends and supporters the opportunity to experience the most enchanting evening in the Bay Area during its annual Harvest Gala. This important fundraising event supports nature programs and is critical for the community service Filoli offers.
“We are thrilled to invite longtime supporters and new friends to join us for this premier fundraising event,” said Kara Newport, Filoli’s President & CEO. “This year’s Harvest Gala will celebrate the richness of our land and heritage and play a crucial role in supporting our Nature Programs, allowing us to open up more access for our next generation to connect with nature.”
Celebrating nature with an outdoor farm-to-table feast beneath a canopy of trees on Filoli’s iconic estate, the evening will be chaired by Melanie Bonham Hoefer, who leads a dynamic host committee including: Lucy Bamman, Donna Colson, Meghan Crowell, Patricia Ivancich Dassios, Joanne Goldstein, Mindy Henderson, Lisa A. Keith, Natalie Lynch, Meg Nibbi, Cynthia Silverstein, and Mike Texido.
“Get ready for a magical night under the stars,” adds Melanie Hoefer. “The Harvest Gala at Filoli will be an unforgettable celebration of community, nature, and shared purpose — with a touch of sparkle. Filoli is where many of us go to unwind and feel inspired by the beauty around us. We hope to share this year’s Gala with everyone!”
The Gala will feature live entertainment, specially curated food and drink, and opportunities for guests to connect with fellow enthusiasts of beauty, nature, and shared stories. Proceeds from the event will support Filoli’s mission and educational Nature Programs, ensuring broad access and fostering deeply rooted connections with nature.
Sponsors include Architectural Resources Group, Donna & Eric Colson, The Hoefer Family, and Nibbi Brothers General Contractors. Tickets and additional sponsorship opportunities are available—visit filoli.org/harvest-gala for more information.
###
About Filoli’s Nature Programs
With 654 acres of protected California Natural Lands and a world-class Garden, Filoli has a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect people with nature. Demand for these experiences continues to increase, and every day, more families, children, and community members are seeking the respite, discovery, and adventure that Filoli is uniquely situated to provide. Nature Programs at Filoli include:
Field Trips: Filoli partners with 20+ under-resourced schools and community groups to meet the growing need for accessible nature education. In 2025, Filoli will host over 80 field trips, inviting more than 2,000 preschoolers and teens to Filoli for multiple visits across the changing seasons to connect with nature and claim their place of belonging in the outdoors. Support from the Gala will allow Filoli to offer more opportunities for access from local communities along the San Francisco Peninsula.
Hiking Trails: An improved and expanded network of trails at Filoli connects visitors to hundreds of acres of pristine natural lands across six distinct ecosystems. Filoli currently has 1.5 miles of scenic hiking trails through meadows, oak, and redwood forests, and there is a strong desire for more access. Funds raised will go to the clearing, grading, rerouting, and bridge-building work needed to open up to 7 additional miles of trails.
Nature Play: New programs like Nature Family Weekend and new activities such as Family Backpacks provide engaging opportunities for families to connect to nature together. Encouraging outdoor play and exploration, the recently opened Nature Playspace at the Redwoods offers open-ended, interactive outdoor play that fosters creativity, exploration, and discovery.
###
About Filoli
Filoli, (Pronunciation: F ī / Lō / Lē), a historic house and world-class garden, is located just south of San Francisco in the heart of Silicon Valley. The modern site is situated on the unceded ancestral lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone. Originally built as a private residence in 1917, Filoli was opened to the public in 1975 and is today, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property is one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century, featuring a 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and hundreds of acres of natural lands, featuring six distinct ecosystems and two trail loops. Open 363 days a year, Filoli is 30 minutes from San Francisco or San Jose and 20 minutes from SFO.
###
Media Contact
Miriam Cohen
Filoli Historic House & Garden
mcohen@filoli.org / press@filoli.org
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
650.364.8300 / 626.726.7507