Sixth Annual Great Hearts Gala Raises More Than $1.3 Million for Teachers

Record Breaking Fundraiser Included Multi-Platinum Country Star, Riley Green

PHOENIX – Great Hearts Academies shattered previous fundraising records at its 6^th annual Great Hearts Gala, presented by Liberty Buick and Liberty GMC with entertainment presented by Casas Bonitas. The event raised $1,373,200 in gross proceeds and took place on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Earnhardt Lexus Showroom located at 800 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix.

Multi-platinum country star Riley Green was the headliner at the gala. Known for hits like “There Was This Girl” and “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” Green is a chart-topping singer-songwriter lauded for bringing “country back to its roots [with] blue collar sounds for the working man, by the working man” (Whiskey Riff). The Alabama native’s latest single “Different ‘Round Here (Ft. Luke Combs),” is currently climbing through the radio charts as he tours North America as part of the “Luke Combs World Tour”, in addition to his headlining dates.

The theme for this year’s event was “How the West was One”. More than 500 guests dressed in country glam and pulled out all of the stops to help raise money that went to support the Teacher Excellence Fund, which provides bonus compensation every December to reward and retain the best Great Hearts teachers across Arizona. The event had all the components of previous galas complete with a red-carpet entrance, delectable food, an impressive recitation from this year’s Bard Competition winner, fifth grader Lincoln Carpenter, and a lively auction.

This signature event is the largest fundraiser for the Teacher Excellence Fund, giving Great Hearts Academies the opportunity to reward the Arizona teachers who worked harder than ever this year. Last year’s gala distributed $774,373 in bonus compensation to 735 teachers.

“This year we raised the bar of previous galas,” said Brandon Crowe, superintendent of Great Hearts Arizona.  “We are humbled at the outpouring of support from those who champion education. There are so many people behind the scenes that made this possible. To those who donated to thank our teachers for their devotion to, and passion for, serving Great Hearts scholars—you have my sincere gratitude.”

This year’s 2023 co-chairs were Justin and Kelly Young. The Youngs are parents of two children at Great Hearts Archway Cicero and Leadership Society members. The Great Hearts Leadership Society recognizes and unites generous donors across the network who are most passionate about the Great Hearts mission. Members of the Leadership Society inform, strengthen, and expand the Great Hearts organization.

The Gala was made possible thanks to the following generous families, sponsors, and in-kind donors: Liberty Buick, Liberty GMC, Casas Bonitas, Earnhardt Lexus, Great Clips, Smead Capital Management, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelers, Arizona Bank & Trust, Baird, Copa Health, Fennemore, HUB International, Veeya, American Family Insurance, The Jenkins Family, Fester & Chapman, Hoopes Adams & Scharber, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, L&W Technologies, Marsh McLennan Agency, Norcon Industries, Pace Group Media, Polaris, The Quayle Family, Osborn Maledon, AmPhil, Buck Financial, CCG, Delta Dental, GCON, Brickhouse Capital, Mochilero, Crescent Crown, Radia Photography, RNDC, Sharp Business Solutions, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Auxana, and Fountain Flower Girl.

To donate, sponsor, or volunteer at next year’s Gala visit www.greatheartsgala.org. Contact Haley Kucharo, Major Gifts Officer, at 602-438-7045 x 490 or Haley.Kucharo@GreatHearts.orgfor more information.

Great Hearts is a nonprofit network of tuition-free public charter schools dedicated to improving education nationwide through classical preparatory K-12 academies. More information can be found at greatheartsamerica.org.

About Great Hearts Academies
Great Hearts is a nonprofit network of tuition-free public charter schools dedicated to improving education nationwide through classical preparatory K-12 academies. As the largest provider of liberal arts classical education campuses in the country, Great Hearts Academies serve more than 22,000 students at 33 tuition-free public charter schools in greater Phoenix, Ariz. and throughout Texas. The network recently expanded to Louisiana and Florida. Great Hearts also offers Great Hearts Online in Arizona and Texas. Great Hearts provides a robust liberal arts curriculum incorporating advanced math and science and a focus on the arts and foreign language. Learn more at www.greatheartsamerica.org.