On April 12, 2025, BASIS Charter Schools held its inaugural gala in support of the Annual Teacher Fund. Over 400 guests gathered at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, Arizona, to celebrate BASIS Charter Schools’ commitment to world-class, transformative education. Attendees included parents, educators, alumni, philanthropists, and community leaders from across the state, representing all 23 BASIS Charter Schools in Arizona.
The gala was a tremendous success! Thanks to our sponsors and strong ticket sales, we were able to fully cover the cost of the event. We appreciate the support of our sponsors:
- Title Sponsors: Grace Hebert Curtis Architects, Chermack Consulting Group, Key Construction
- Auction Sponsors: Cigna Healthcare, HUB International, MetLife
- Reception Sponsors: Savvas Learning Company, BASIS Educational Ventures, PowerSchool
- Video Sponsors: PNC Financial Services, BOK Financial
- Raffle Sponsors: Gallagher Insurance, CHASSE Building Team
- Valet Sponsor: Integrity Valet
Donors had the opportunity to direct their gifts to the school(s) of their choice, supporting the Annual Teacher Fund in a way that was meaningful to them.
With the support of our families, community, and partners, we are proud to share that we raised $306,101.00 for the Annual Teacher Fund after all expenses were met.
Great things happen when a strong community comes together—and this event was a powerful reminder of the generosity and shared purpose that define our BASIS community.
A Night Out with a Purpose: BASIS Charter Schools Inaugural Gala
The inaugural BASIS Charter Schools Gala was designed to give our community a way to support our schools while enjoying an elegant and memorable evening.
The event featured a live auction, silent auction, and exciting raffle drawings. Attendees bid on everything from exclusive getaway packages to customized BASIS experiences—all in support of our Annual Teacher Fund!
The gala was an upscale, formal event in a beautiful venue. From our exclusive VIP reception to stunning photo ops, our attendees had an amazing time. We couldn’t be happier with the turnout for this event!
The proceeds of the gala will make an incredible difference in the lives of our talented educators, enabling them to continue driving student achievement across our network of acclaimed public charter schools.
Esteemed guest speakers
During the event, attendees got to hear firsthand stories from BASIS Charter School students, teachers, and alumni, as well as from some of our network leaders. Featured speakers included:
- Dr. Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder of the Annual Teacher Fund
- Patti and Peter Bezanson, Co-Chairmen of BASIS Educational Ventures
- Dr. Diana Yusupov, Music and Strings Teacher from BASIS Chandler
- Jayanth Ganesan, 2011 alumnus from BASIS Tucson North
- Dr. Greg Spell, 2011 alumnus from BASIS Tucson North
- Sudeep Vattikuti, high school senior at BASIS Peoria
Additional remarks and introductions were given by Carolyn McGarvey, CEO of BASIS Ed Arizona, DeAnna Rowe, Executive Director of BASIS Charter Schools, and Roberto Ramirez, VP of Development and Philanthropic Partnerships.
Show-stopping student performances
Some of the most memorable parts of the evening were the fine arts performances by our talented BASIS Charter Schools students. The Welcome Reception started off with a performance by the BASIS Chandler Strings Ensemble and student piano performances. Later in the evening, the BASIS Chandler Dance Team and BASIS Chandler Drumline showed off their skills.
These student performances lit up the room and served as a reminder of why supporting the arts is so important!
Missed the event? You can still support our Annual Teacher Fund!
If you weren’t able to attend the inaugural BASIS Charter Schools Gala, don’t worry! We are already planning the second annual BASIS Charter Schools Gala and will be sending a save-the-date soon—we hope to see you there!
In the meantime, you can give back to our schools by donating to the Annual Teacher Fund today! To get started, visit our Support page and select your school.
Contributions to the Annual Teacher Fund directly support our teachers, allowing us to recruit, retain, and reward the educators who are making a difference in our students’ lives every day. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a big impact on the quality of education we provide at our schools. Thank you for your support!
