Event Significance and History

Every year for the past 13 years the San Francisco Historical Society has held an award ceremony and luncheon to honor people who have made significant contributions to San Francisco's history or culture.

This year, we are honoring our longstanding cultural partner, the Museum of Performance + Design (MP+D). For over 75 years, the Museum of Performance + Design has been collecting and preserving the history of the performing arts in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a vast collection of over 3.5 million items, they serve as a living record of performance arts in San Francisco that spans from the era of the Gold Rush to the present day.

Past recipients have included Clint and Janet Reilly, Mayor Willie Brown, Alonzo King, and Joanne Hayes-White, as well as numerous historians.

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 2:00. There is a reception to start off the event, followed by the luncheon. There is also a live auction during the lunch. Entertainment will be provided by legendary Gold Rush singer Ms. Lola Montez.

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.

Please see below for sponsorship opportunities and table/ticket prices.

If you are interested in sponsoring the SFHS Annual Awards Luncheon, please contact SFHS Deputy Director Lana Costantini. (email: lana@sfhistory.org; Phone: 415.537.1105, ext. 2)

Golden Gate Sponsor - $25,000

Acknowledgement in all pre-event advertising (press releases, e-News)

Verbal recognition as the main sponsor of the luncheon during the program
Featured recognition with company logo on the SFHS website
Full-page ad with company logo in Awards Luncheon printed materials
Full-page ad for your business in the Winter 2026 issue of The Argonaut
Featured recognition (with logo) in the January issue of Panorama, the
quarterly newsletter of the San Francisco Historical Society
Two tables of ten (20 seats total), with preferred seating
One-year membership in the SF Historical Society for sponsor and guests
Private champagne reception for 30 at the Museum of San Francisco
Tax deductible amount $23,100

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 issue of Panorama, the quarterly newsletter of the San Francisco Historical Society
A half-page ad for your business in the Winter 2026 issue of The Argonaut
One-year membership in the SF Historical Society for sponsor and guests
Private tour of the Museum of San Francisco for ten
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 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 - $4,000

Includes a table of ten seats with lunch included
Tax deductible amount $3,250

Table for Ten, Member Discount -$3,000 (25% OFF using member discount code)

This discount applies only to current San Francisco Historical Society members.
Tax deductible amount $2,250

Half Table (Five Seats) - $2,000

Includes a half table of five total seats with reception and luncheon
Tax deductible amount $1,625

Half Table (Five Seats) - $1,500 (25% OFF using member discount code)

Includes a half table of five total seats
Tax deductible amount $1,125

Single Ticket -$400

Single general admission ticket that includes reception and lunch
Tax deductible amount $325

Single Ticket, Member Discount $300 (25% 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 $225

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 of San Francisco features intriguing artifacts and stories from our city'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 501(c)3 nonprofit with tax id#68-0104888.

www.SFHistory.org

Centerpiece Bowl by Nichibei Potters, Sonoma