Staff Writer- Evangelyn Hill
This upcoming Saturday, Gustavus alumni and donors will gather for the glittering Gustavus gala: A Royal Affair. Held bi-annually, the event is an important fundraiser for both the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library and for first-generation student scholarships. The gala uses multiple methods to raise money. Associate Vice President of Advancement Ann Sponberg Peterson leads the event.
“The gala raises funds through giving by the guests who pledge generous amounts to the Library Endowment and a Promise Scholarship for First Generation Students… There is also a splendid silent auction available to our guests at which they can bid on lovely donated gift packages, travel opportunities, and curated items,” Sponberg Peterson said. Tickets are an additional source of funding.
The gala has been a big success in its 48 years of running. Sponberg Peterson noted it raised $760,000 in 2024.
A Royal Affair has been a significant help for its two beneficiaries: the library and first generation students. Funds for the library go to the annual acquisitions budget. Funds also go to the A Royal Affair Promise Scholarship for First Generation Students, according to Sponberg Peterson.
“This endowment now has a market value (gifts + earnings) of $2.1 million,” Sponberg Peterson said.
Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library Chair Jeff Jenson said that the funding from A Royal Affair has been “transformative” for the college and library.
Jenson explained that the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library Endowment Fund, funded by the gala, provides over 25% of the library’s acquisition budget. This translates into funding online journal subscriptions, research materials, print books, media licenses for streaming, and more.
“In short,” Jenson said, “we wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of you and others without the financial support of the GLA and The Royal Affair.”
An event this important takes an entire team of people to run.
“I work closely with teammates to bring this event to fruition and we all work with our alumni volunteers – members of the Gustavus Library Associates/Friends of the Library. The GLA was founded in 1978 – it is a volunteer group committed to the needs of the Library,” Sponberg Peterson said.
The Friends of the Library, alongside Gustavus staff, are able to create a beautiful event that Sponberg Peterson called “an elegant sit-down dinner and after-glow at the JW Marriott at the Mall of America.”
This year, 620 guests are expected to attend.