Event Significance and History

Every year for the past 11 years the San Francisco Historical Society holds an award ceremony and luncheon to honor people who have made significant contributions to San Francisco's history or culture. Past recipients have included Willie Brown, Father Paul Fitzgerald, President of USF, Alonzo King (Lines Ballet), Joanne Hayes-White, San Francisco’s Fabulous Female Fire Chief, as well as numerous historians. This year’s 2024 honorees are Clint and Janet Reilly, who are remarkable civic leaders.

Known for being a very elegant affair, the awards luncheon takes place at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Last year more than 300 people attended. This is also the largest fundraiser of the year for the San Francisco Historical Society.

The event starts at 11:00 and goes until 2:30. There is a reception to start off the event (people mingling) followed by the luncheon. The award ceremony and speeches occur over the course of the lunch. There is also a live auction during the lunch.

An ongoing online auction is also open for bidding - Just click on the "Auction" button at the top of this page to view the many available fabulous experiences and items. New items are being added weekly!

The event's success is made possible from our generous sponsors and from individuals who purchase tables and tickets.

All proceeds from the event benefit the San Francisco Historical Society which is a registered nonprofit organization with tax ID #68-0104888. Your generosity supports our publications, education programs, and our museum exhibits at 608 Commercial Street in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District.

More information about sponsorships opportunities and table/ticket packages are available below:

Gold Rush Sponsor - $10,000

Two tables of ten (20 seats in total), with preferred seating
Sponsor listing in printed Annual Awards Luncheon printed materials*
Featured recognition (with logo) in the January–March 2025** issue of Panorama, the
quarterly newsletter of the San Francisco Historical Society
An institutional advertisement in the Winter 2024 issue of The Argonaut***
One-year membership in the San Francisco Historical Society
Tax deductible amount $8,500

Yerba Buena Sponsor - $7,500

Same benefits as the Gold Rush Sponsor, but with one table of ten (10 seats in total)
Tax deductible amount $6,750

Phoenix Sponsor - $5,000

One table of ten (10 seats total)
Sponsor listing in Annual Awards Luncheon printed materials*
Featured recognition (with logo) in the January–March 2025** issue of Panorama, the
quarterly newsletter of the San Francisco Historical Society
One-year membership in the San Francisco Historical Society
Tax deductible amount $4,250

Table for Ten - $4,100

Includes a table of ten seats with lunch included
Tax deductible amount $3,350

Table for Ten, Member Discount -$3,280 (20% OFF using member discount code)

This discount applies only to current San Francisco Historical Society members
Same perks as above
Tax deductible amount $2,530

Half Table (Five Seats) - $2,100

Includes a half table of five total seats
Tax deductible amount $1,725

Single Ticket -$450

Single general admission ticket that includes lunch
Tax deductible amount $375

Single Ticket, Member Discount $360 (20% OFF using member discount code)

Single general admission ticket that includes lunch.
This discount only applies to current San Francisco Historical Society members
Tax deductible amount $285

About the San Francisco Historical Society

The San Francisco Historical Society exists to uncover, preserve, and present, in engaging ways, the colorful and diverse history of our city from its earliest days to the present. We do this through our publications, Panorama and The Argonaut; in-person and virtual walking tours; monthly history presentations; numerous educational programs for young people, and through our free museum.

Our museum exhibits feature intriguing artifacts and stories from San Francisco’s history. The museum is located at 608 Commercial Street in downtown San Francisco, on the site of the first branch mint in the West.

The San Francisco Historical Society was founded by renowned San Francisco historian Charles Fracchia in 1988. In 2006 the administration of Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. granted the stewardship of the Old Mint at Fifth and Mission Streets to SFHS. That stewardship lasted for ten years. In 2019 SFHS moved into its permanent home, the site of the first Branch Mint in the West at 608 Commercial Street in the heart of San Francisco’s historic core. The SFHS Museum is the new center for administration, exhibits, presentations, and educational programs, and is also available as a venue for events.

The San Francisco Historical Society is a registered 503(c) nonprofit with tax id#68-010488.

www.SFHistory.org

Lunch for Six with Mayor Willie Brown at Sam's Grill