Impact Launch Gala

The Silent Auction

Saturday · November 14, 2026

The Grand BallroomPendry San Diego

Extraordinary experiences, from a safari in South Africa’s Waterberg to a week in a Tuscan hilltop town. Preview them here, then bid in person in the ballroom on launch night.

Every bid powers Impact’s entire mission

Buy Tickets — $195 Preview the experiences
The Travel Collection

Extraordinary experiences, one night to bid

A leopard resting on a mound
The safari suites across the water at sunset Inside a luxury safari suite

Lot I

Savor South AfricaHeritage Safari

Waterberg, South Africa

Valued at$8,450

Five nights for two in the Waterberg, a land of sweeping savannas, rugged mountains and ancient landscapes. Set out on guided game drives in search of giraffe, hippo, zebra, leopard and wild dog, take a Big 5 drive for the chance to spot lions and elephants, and dine by firelight at a traditional Bush Braai under the stars.

What’s included

  • Five nights, Sunday to Friday, in a luxury safari suite with a king bed or two twins, an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace
  • Two safari game drives daily, Monday to Thursday, on Hippo Lakes Private Game Reserve
  • One Big 5 game drive at a private game reserve
  • A traditional Bush Braai dining experience
  • Daily gourmet meals, from Sunday dinner to Friday brunch
  • Two house wines, beers or sodas per guest each day
  • Booking and concierge services, for two guests
Good to know
  • Travel within two years of the date of purchase; nights are used consecutively in one trip.
  • Stays run Sunday to Friday. Guests arrive in Johannesburg on Saturday and spend one night at a hotel before the Sunday departure to the resort; that hotel is booked separately, and the resort can help arrange it.
  • Round-trip ground transfer is due at booking, $200 per person (subject to change). Other taxes and fees may apply.
  • Blackout dates: the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
  • Guests must be 12 or older. The optional bush walk is for ages 15 and up.
  • Transfers, the accommodation and the excursions call for full mobility; the camp is not ADA compliant.
Rooftops of Cortona above the valley
The view from Cortona across the Chiana Valley An apartment living room in Cortona

Lot II

Under the Tuscan SunSeven nights in Cortona

Cortona, Italy

Valued at$6,500

A week in Cortona, the hilltop town in southern Tuscany known as the setting of Under the Tuscan Sun. Enclosed by Etruscan and Roman stone walls about 600 meters above the Chiana Valley, it looks out across the valley and on to Lake Trasimeno.

What’s included

  • Seven nights in a charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, within walking distance of restaurants, bars and shops
  • A welcome aperitivo at the coolest wine bar in town
  • Lunch at a winery with a private visit and tastings
  • Raise Away concierge to book the trip and coordinate additional activities
  • Accommodates a group of four
Good to know
  • Travel within two years of the date of purchase; nights are used consecutively in one trip.
  • At least one guest must be 25 or older.
  • Transportation to the winery lunch is arranged separately.
  • Blackout dates: Thanksgiving week, Christmas week and New Year’s week.
  • Property subject to availability. Additional fees and taxes may apply under local ordinances.
Castle & Key Distillery, Kentucky
A cocktail at the Camel Club The water tower at Castle & Key in autumn

Lot III

The Bourbon TrailThree nights in Lexington

Lexington, Kentucky

Valued at$4,700

A curated three-night getaway for four along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Exclusive tours and tastings at Castle & Key and RD1 distilleries, a day in the race horse capital, and dinner at a private, members-only club: the very best of the Bluegrass State in one escape.

What’s included

  • Three nights in a private luxury residence with three bedrooms and three bathrooms
  • An exclusive tour and tasting at Castle & Key Distillery
  • An exclusive tour and tasting at RD1 Distillery
  • Access to the Camel Club with dinner, a $240 credit
  • A race horse experience at Keeneland or a horse farm, depending on availability
  • Concierge services by Raise Away, for four guests
Good to know
  • Travel within two years of the date of purchase; nights are used consecutively in one trip.
  • Included tours follow a fixed schedule on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
  • At least one guest at the residence must be 25 or older; the distilleries and the Camel Club are for guests 21 and up.
  • A $199 cleaning fee is due at booking. Additional fees and taxes may apply under local ordinances.
  • Blackout dates: April, October, the Kentucky Derby, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week and New Year’s week.
  • The residence is one of several of a similar standard in rooms, size and amenities, subject to availability.
Suites above the 18th green at TPC Scottsdale
TPC Scottsdale during the Phoenix Open

Lot IV

Waste Management Phoenix Open2028 Premium Suite

TPC Scottsdale, Arizona

Valued at$3,600

A day at one of professional golf’s most celebrated tournaments, famous for its lively, festive atmosphere. Two guests spend a Friday or Saturday in a premium suite on the 18th hole (subject to availability), with views across multiple fairways and greens, shade, seating, buffets and an open bar all day.

What’s included

  • Two wristbands for one day of the 2028 tournament, Friday or Saturday
  • A premium suite on Hole 18, exclusive to suite guests
  • Breakfast and lunch buffets
  • An open bar
  • Taxes included
Good to know
  • Valid for the 2028 tournament, expected in February 2028; dates have yet to be released.
  • A Friday or Saturday is guaranteed; the specific day is subject to availability.
  • The suite location is assigned and subject to availability, and may be on a hole other than the 18th.
  • Tournament dates and restrictions may change without notice; the wristbands remain valid for any updated dates.
  • Airfare and hotel are the winner’s to arrange.
Pools and gardens at The Mayan Palace
Loungers beneath palapas on a white-sand beach The pools at The Mayan Palace

Lot V

Gems of MexicoSeven nights for four

The Mayan Palace, Mexico

Valued at$2,500

Seven nights for up to four guests at The Mayan Palace, surrounded by lush jungle and white-sand beaches. Multiple pools, diverse dining, a full-service spa and jungle trails, with the Jungala Aqua Experience water park and Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ, the only resident Cirque show in Latin America, just steps away.

What’s included

  • Seven nights at The Mayan Palace in Riviera Maya, Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Peñasco
  • The Studio Master Suite: one studio bedroom, one bathroom and a private balcony
  • Accommodates up to four: two adults and two children under 12
Good to know
  • Confirm the reservation within 12 months and travel within 18 months of the date of purchase.
  • The primary traveler must be 25 or older. Maximum occupancy is two adults and two children under 12.
  • Resort activities are additional. The resort fee is payable on redemption, and hotel taxes at check-out.
  • Blackout dates: Easter week, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week and New Year’s week; all other dates subject to availability.
  • One certificate per household in a 12-month period. Group bookings are extremely limited.
  • The experience is non-transferable, and confirmed reservations are final.
A palm-lined pool in Playa del Carmen
The beach at Puerto Morelos An infinity pool overlooking the sea at Puerto Morelos

Lot VI

Riviera Maya All-InclusiveFive nights for two

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Valued at$2,500

Five all-inclusive nights for two on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos. Stunning beaches, snorkeling in crystal-clear water, Mayan ruins and authentic Mexican cuisine, with every meal and drink taken care of.

What’s included

  • Five nights in a double-occupancy hotel room with a king bed
  • Your choice of destination: Puerto Morelos or Playa del Carmen
  • All-inclusive food and beverage
  • Booking assistance from Raise Away, for two adults
Good to know
  • Book within 12 months and travel within two years of the date of purchase; nights are used consecutively in one trip.
  • The primary traveler must be 30 or older.
  • A $249 destination fee is due at booking. Airfare, transportation, hotel or resort taxes and fees, and incidentals are the winner’s to cover.
  • Blackout dates: all major US holidays, including the weeks of Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Peak seasons have limited availability.
  • One voucher activation per household within 12 months. Group bookings are unavailable.
  • Property subject to availability, at a similar standard. The experience is non-transferable, and confirmed reservations are final.
How It Works

Bidding happens in the room

  1. Preview

    Explore the experiences here and choose the ones you have your eye on.

  2. Reserve your seat

    The auction is held in person at the Impact Launch Gala, in the Grand Ballroom of the Pendry San Diego.

  3. Bid on November 14

    Place your bids during the evening, in the room, alongside the community.

Every bid powers Impact’s entire mission: our scholarships, the programs behind them, and the next founders we back. The winner of the $50,000 Rising Leaders Scholarship is announced live on stage that night.

Be There

Save your seat for launch night

Black tie, a curated dinner, a live band and the silent auction, all in one evening. Seats are $195, and free for members.

Buy Tickets — $195 See the full evening

Questions about the auction · Sharifah Hardie · sharifah@asksharifah.com

Each experience carries its own travel window, blackout dates and fees, listed under Good to know. All bidding takes place in person at the gala.