This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Transforming Lives Dinner, an event that raises critical funds for tuition assistance. Your support will ensure that an O’Dowd education is accessible to students of all socio-economic backgrounds - students who share their unique identities, experiences, heritages, and gifts - enriching the lives of everyone in our community.
The O’Dowd community joined together to raise $560,000 in support of tuition assistance at the 2023 Transforming Lives Dinner.
“I found pieces of myself at O'Dowd through the faculty, activities, and programs.
I left here with a sense of pride. O'Dowd has a magical way of encouraging students to find and use their voices.”
- Ruby Perez '18
Event
This year’s event will be held in-person on October 26, 2023 at 6 pm in O’Dowd’s new Bishop John S. Cummins Center.
Tickets must be purchased by October 10th.
This year’s event will include:
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A reception with live music
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Seated dinner in the Knauss Gymnasium provided by parent-owned Dove Catering
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Keynote Speaker President Kim Walsh
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Student speakers who bring to life the experience of an O’Dowd education
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Auction-style paddle raise for tuition assistance
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Dwight Taylor Sr. '00, Emcee
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Tickets are $175 per person
About
The Transforming Lives Dinner began in 2013 to assist O’Dowd in providing tuition grants to all students requiring financial assistance. Cumulatively, Transforming Lives has raised over $3.3 million. Ticket prices cover the cost of the event so that 100% of the sponsorships and donations go directly toward tuition assistance. This year’s goal is to raise $500,000.
O’Dowd’s commitment to access and affordability ensures that tuition assistance is available to as many incoming 9th grade students with demonstrated financial need as possible. For the 2023-24 school year, the school is providing $4,000,000 to close to 30% of our students with grants ranging from $1,800 - $24,000 per year.
Cornerstone Donors
Demonstrate your commitment to transforming students’ lives by becoming a Cornerstone Donor.
Every successful fundraising effort needs a solid foundation, foundations always begin with the Cornerstone. That's why this year we are asking you to demonstrate your commitment to transforming students’ lives by becoming a Cornerstone Donor. Cornerstone Donations are pledged in advance and buoy our fundraising efforts at the event, multiplying the impact of your gifts.
Cornerstone Donors receive name recognition in the Dragon magazine and throughout the event on the large digital displays.
Donation levels range are $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $24,040 - the amount of O'Dowd's 2023-34 full tuition.