Butterfly Bash!

Fair Chance’s annual Butterfly Bash fundraising celebration, at Dock5 at Union Market, celebrated Fair Chance's 15th anniversary. The event honored Marie and Wendell Johns for their participation in a wide range of nonprofits that support education and youth in the D.C. area. Here, Butterfly Bash principals gather during the VIP reception before the evening’s festivities begin: Fair Chance founder Amanda Marshall, event honorees Marie and Wendell Johns, Fair Chance Executive Director Gretchen Van der Veer.  

The Fair Chance Butterfly Bash welcomed 700 guests and more than 50 corporate sponsors representing D.C.’s top financial, real estate and legal firms for an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and dancing. Here, members of MusicianShip Washington Youth Choir performed musical numbers that generated ovations and cheers from the crowd.

The nonprofit is committed to improving the lives of children in D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods. In its 15 years of service to the community, Fair Chance has engaged more than 100 D.C. nonprofits serving 80,000 young people. This year’s Butterfly Bash co-chairs were Elisabeth Cohen and Elizabeth Spratt Cooper. 

The Butterfly Bash is Fair Chance’s signature event and raises funds and honors local leaders committed to helping children living in poverty in the District. Here,  donor Gulissa Guidicelli, Chris Mills Creative principal Chris Mills, Fair Chance board member, host committee member and Compass Realtors Mandy Mills and Donnell Kearney, of The Mandy & David Team. 

Proceeds from the event help Fair Chance strengthen the sustainability and performance of community-based nonprofits to achieve life-changing results for children and youth living in poverty. This year’s Butterfly Bash raised nearly $500K.Here, J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture + Design principal owner Joe Ireland and NBC4 Assistant News Director Matt Glassman.