The Harvest Gala, the Most Enchanting Evening in the Bay Area, Raises $550,000; Filoli Hosts More Than 260 Guests for Gala
October 1, 2025, Woodside, CA – On Friday, September 26, Filoli welcomed both new friends and long-time supporters for the most enchanting evening in the Bay Area, during its annual Harvest Gala. This signature event brought together Filoli’s incredible community to celebrate the arrival of autumn, while raising vital funds for the organization’s Nature Programs.
Chaired by Melanie Bonham Hoefer, the Harvest Gala featured an unforgettable farm-to-table feast beneath a breathtaking canopy of trees on Filoli’s iconic estate. Guests gathered outdoors on the historic estate to savor the beauty of the land and the spirit of togetherness.
“We not only celebrate this remarkable place and the seasons ahead—with Nightfall and the Holidays at Filoli just around the corner—but we also join together to support Filoli’s future,” said Melanie Bonham Hoefer. “The funds we raised will help sustain this treasured gem on the Peninsula for generations to come.”
The evening sparkled with entertainment by Dart Collective, a seasonal menu and curated beverages by Taste, and floral decor by Flowers by Edgar, creating a magical atmosphere that reflected Filoli’s mission of connecting people to nature and beauty. Guests also enjoyed after-hours access to the historic House and 16-acre Garden, experiencing the estate in a uniquely intimate way.
This year’s Gala raised $550,000, marking a record-breaking night of support for Filoli. With more than half of attendees joining the event for the first time, Filoli’s community continues to grow. Proceeds from the evening will directly benefit Filoli’s educational Nature Programs, expanding access and cultivating meaningful connections to the natural world.
Attending guests included:
Art, Fashion, and Design World: Van Cleef & Arpels
Civic Leaders: California State Assembly Member Liz Ortega (20th District), California State Assembly Member Diana Papan (21st District), and Donna Colson, two-time Mayor & Council Member for the City of Burlingame.
Decor: By Elise Events
Catering: Taste
Host Committee Chair: Melanie Bonham Hoefer
Host Committee: Lucy Bamman, Meghan Crowell, Patricia Ivancich Dassios, Joanne Goldstein, Mindy Henderson, Lisa A. Keith, Natalie Lynch, Meg Nibbi, Cynthia Silverstein, Mike Texido, & Donna Colson, Honorary Committee Member
Supporting Sponsors: Architectural Resources Group, Donna & Eric Colson, The Hoefer Family, Danielle Garcia & Roy Ng, and Nibbi Brothers General Contractors.
Additional Support Provided By: Hensley Event Rentals, Olivia Marshall, Freeman Vineyard and Winery, Taste Catering & Event Planning, By Elise Events & Design, Kerns Fine Jewelry, Chandon, Owen’s Craft Mixers, Bright Event Rentals, Rosati Family Winery, Flowers by Edgar, Paper Caper, The Water Cottage, Sound Image, Cliff Edge Vineyards, Dobel Tequila
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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.
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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.
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Media Contact
Wynter Martinez
Filoli Historic House & Garden
wmartinez@filoli.org / press@filoli.org
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
650.364.8300 / 626.726.7507