6TH ANNUAL Family dinner Fundraiser
GardHouse's Family Dinner Fundraiser presented by Ally is Charlotte's premier social event focusing on raising awareness for underserved college student workforce training disparities. Hosted by a diverse group of corporate sponsors, local businesses, and professional organizations, our Family Dinner is an evening of celebration attended by civic leaders, alums, dignitaries, volunteers, and friends of GardHouse.
For our 6th Anniversary, GardHouse has set a goal to raise $250,000 to cover its operating expenses.
Tickets and sponsorship packages start at $250.
Date: April 22, 2025
Location: The Casey
1837 N Tryon St #102, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Attire: Business/ Business Casual
Run of Show
Cocktail Hour
Dinner Served
Opening Remarks
Impact Report
Award Presentation
Raffle Winners Announced
Call for Donations
Entertainment
Conclude
SPONSORShip tiers
Impact Sponsor
$15,000
Impact: 2 students can receive 150 hours of workforce training
- Special gift for guests seated at table
- Company logo displayed on screens during cocktail reception
- Social media recognition
- Brand recognition on select print, media, and marketing materials
- One reserved table for 9 guests
workforce Sponsor
$10,000
Impact: 1 student can receive 150 hours of workforce training
- Special gift for guests seated at table
- Company logo displayed on screens during cocktail reception
- Social media recognition
- Brand recognition on select print, media, and marketing materials
- One reserved table for 9 guests
coaching Sponsor
$5,000
Impact: 1 student can receive 10 weeks of career coaching
- Company logo displayed on screens during cocktail reception
- Brand recognition on select print, media, and marketing materials
- One reserved table for 9 guests
Table sponsor
$2,500
Impact: 1 student can attend 8 development workshops
- Brand recognition on select print, media, and marketing materials
- One reserved table for 9 guests
April Whitlock
2026 Gardian Award Recipient
April is the
Head of Corporate Citizenship at
LendingTree
and
Executive Director of the LendingTree Foundation since 2020. At the time, those were new roles for both April and LendingTree, but LendingTree isn’t new to her. April initially joined the fintech company over 20 years ago when it was a start-up and has returned to lead the strategic development and execution of impactful relational giving programs and volunteerism across LendingTree’s U.S. footprint
April is a creative strategist who excels in helping organizations, which have included Foundation for the Carolinas and Carolina Pad, turning big ideas into successful ventures. Prior to LendingTree, April served as the Interim Director of Charlotte Corporate Affairs Professionals and was the business owner of Fundanoodle, a series of educational readiness products. In other entrepreneurial ventures, April started the Charlotte market for Mom Corps, a staffing firm for professional parents seeing flexible jobs so they can contribute at home and at work.
A Duke University graduate and Charlotte native, April values the importance of community and currently volunteers on the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Board of Directors, Share Charlotte, Classroom Central and co-chairs the Education Working Group of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council. She has been honored as one of Charlotte Ledger’s “40 Over 40,” Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and Mecklenburg Times’ “50 Most Influential Women.”
April is a member of the board of directors for Share Charlotte (current Board Chair), Classroom Central and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She serves the community as the co-chair of the Education Working Group for the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, a member of the Community Advisory Council for At Home CMS and a member of the Women’s Impact Fund.
She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Thomas, and has three daughters and two rescue puppies.
Can't sponsor, but want to help Us Reach our goal?
past SPONSORS
2025 Family dinner recap
Re-live the day we reached our goal to provide ten high-achieving college students with workforce training opportunities.
