Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The Simi Valley Education Foundation will turn an evening out into an investment in local schools when it hosts its annual Mardi Gras Gala on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at Wood Ranch Golf Club.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and serves as the foundation’s primary fundraiser of the year, supporting classrooms, teachers and graduating seniors throughout the Simi Valley Unified School District.
Rather than a traditional fundraiser, the gala is designed to feel like a celebration. Guests are encouraged to dress up, share a meal, bid in a live auction and spend the evening with neighbors who see public education as a shared responsibility.
Tickets are priced at $125 per person, with bundled options available at $225 for two tickets and $850 for a table of eight.
Funds raised through the event cycle directly back into local schools through teacher grants and scholarships for graduating seniors, filling gaps that school budgets cannot always cover. The impact often appears months later in the form of classroom materials, student projects or opportunities that help shape a student’s next step after graduation.
“This is our one major fundraiser of the year and an opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our local schoolchildren and support the numerous programs aimed at helping students in the Simi Valley Unified School District,” SVEF President Ryan Fowler said.
He added that the foundation encourages participation from businesses, organizations and individuals across the community.
The Mardi Gras theme sets the tone for the evening, with heavy appetizers, festive food stations, signature cocktails and live entertainment. Dancing, strolling entertainers and interactive experiences are planned throughout the night, including a magician, a tarot card reader and a live sketch artist.
A fast-paced live auction anchors the program, offering a lively way to contribute while keeping the energy high.
Organizers say the goal is to create an event that feels welcoming and social, whether attendees are longtime supporters or newcomers with no direct ties to a school campus.
Tickets are available at svef.org. Additional information is available by calling (877) 746-4543 or emailing [email protected].
For residents looking to support local schools without sitting through a meeting or writing a check, the gala offers a simple option: one evening where community, celebration and education come together under one roof.
