Join us for a masquerade ball where the only requirement is to come as you are.
Don thy finest attire and join the noble house of Courage+ for an evening of revelry, romance and a little delightful mischief, all in support of LGBTQ+ youth. Weareth a costume or a mask but let thy true self shine through.
Hark! Meet Thy Host
With wit, warmth and perhaps a touch of mischief, Montell Infiniti Ross will take the stage as our guide for the evening.
Location + reception
Gather ye at the Baird Center, where this year’s revelry moves to a new space, with more room for merriment in the heart of Milwaukee.
Dinner + Drag Show + After Party
Sup upon a plated dinner whilst local talent takes the stage. When dinner is done, the revelry continues with music, dancing and merriment at the After Party.
Online Auction
Peruse our online auction, bid on splendid finds and support our mission along the way.
To mask or not to mask?
That is entirely up to thee. Dress for the grandest ball in all the land or simply dress like thyself. At Unmasked & Unbothered, thou art invited to celebrate in whatever makes thee feel comfortable, confident and wonderfully you.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor
$20,000+
- Opportunity to speak in front of our 700 guests
- Includes two tables of 10
- Prime table placement
- Courage+ gala welcome basket at both tables
- Headlined in all social, print, and media marketing before and during the event
- Invite to our VIP and Award event the evening before
Bravemaker Sponsorship
$10,000
- Includes two tables of 10
- Prime table placement
- Included in one week of social marketing, the gala program, gala site/app and table signage
- Invite to our VIP and Award event the evening before
Bravespace Sponsor
$5,000
- Includes one table of 10
- Included in one week of social marketing, the gala program, gala site/app, and table signage
- Invite to our VIP and Award event the evening before
+YOU Table Sponsorship
$3,000
- Includes one table of 10 branded with your company’s logo
- Included in one week of social marketing, the gala program, and gala site/app
Ally Sponsorship
$1,000
- Included in all marketing before and day of the event
Friend of Courage+ Sponsor
$500
- Included in the program the night of the event
Thank you to our Sponsors
FAQ
- Date: Friday, Oct. 30
- Location: Baird Center – 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
- Registration + Reception: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Join us for the online auction, free photos, Courage+ merch for sale and more!
- Program, Dinner, After Party + MORE! 7-11 p.m.
- Everyone is welcome to participate in the Courage+ online auction!
- A link to browse all available auction items and to place your bids will go live on Oct. 23.
- The auction will close Oct. 30 at 8:30 p.m.
- Winners who are not present at the event will be notified by email.
- Item Pickup: Winning items may be collected on the night of the gala or scheduled for pickup at a later date. Larger items will not be brought to the event as we realize many of our guests use rideshares to be safe. These items will be noted on our auction site.
- As always, you pay by using credit/debit via our gala site. Should you need cash the night of the gala, we will have a “Drag Show Bank” available to everyone during the cocktail hour and after the program for large bill exchange.
- WE LOVE CHECK PAYMENTS!
- When you pay by check the night of the gala, it ensures Courage+ receives 100% of your donation vs. third-party providers taking percentages of each payment. Yes, 1995 is calling, because we encourage the use of checks!
Why We Need Your Phone Number and Email
When registering, please enter both your mobile number and email address. Event updates and auction bidding notifications will be sent primarily via text.
Assigning or Reassigning Gala Tickets
- Open the email you received when you purchased your tickets.
- Click the personalized link in the email.
- Review your purchased tickets on the page.
- Click the purple Assign/Reassign button to enter guest contact details.
- Once assigned, guests will receive a notification allowing them to update their contact information or meal choice at any time.
Finding Your Purchase Receipt
After purchasing tickets, you will receive a confirmation email that includes payment details and our tax-exempt information.
Need Help with Tickets or Table Purchases?
Email our gala team at gala@courageplus.org.
- Once tickets go on sale, more details will be available regarding ticket assignment and meal choice management.
- To ensure the safety of all guests, volunteers and venue personnel, all guests must be registered to attend this year’s gala. When you arrive, our gala team will be checking in each attendee and providing a gala wristband.
- If an attendee is not registered online prior to arrival, they will be required to validate their attendance with the ticket purchaser — in person, on-site.
- There are many events being held downtown this evening. Guests may park in the hourly garages located at Baird Center or the Hyatt Place Milwaukee Downtown. Please note: Parking costs are not covered by Courage+.
- As always, we encourage all guests who plan to enjoy cocktails or wine to use rideshare services like Lyft or Uber to ensure everyone gets home safely. This also may help eliminate wait times due to the amount of traffic expected due to other events.
- The address to the venue is 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Due to the number of events at Baird Center, please enter the building through the doors at the corner of West Kilbourn Avenue and North Vel R. Phillips Avenue (across from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena).
Please be aware that Baird Center is a smoke-free facility, including the outside terrace of the Ballroom.
Baird Center has many mobility accessible options. See the website for more details.
We are family, and ‘tis far more important that we gather together than what any of us may wear. Dress up. Dress comfortably. Dress to the theme or dress to dazzle. However you arrive, come as you are — for your presence is finery enough.
Disclosures
Our Code of Conduct: A Commitment to Kindness and Respect
At Courage+, we are committed to creating a welcoming and safe environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued. We embrace people of all genders, identities, ages, orientations, abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs. Whether you are an attendee, speaker, sponsor, guest, staff member, vendor, or volunteer, we ask that you treat everyone with kindness and respect.
We encourage positive and respectful interactions. Any form of disrespect or demeaning behavior — be it through words, actions, or imagery — goes against our values and will not be tolerated. Our Code of Conduct applies to all Courage+ events, and we expect everyone to honor it.
If you experience or witness any behavior that makes you or others feel uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our events team. We’re here to support you and ensure everyone has a positive and safe experience. Your comfort and safety are important to us.
Event Photography: By attending a Courage+ event, you grant permission for videos and photographs to be taken by Courage+ staff. Event media could be produced and used for Courage+ advertising purposes via websites and/or social media.