Grace Cathedral CARNIVALE draws society, clergy, community to largest fundraiser

Grace Cathedral’s CARNIVALE filled the nave on February 13, 2026, when more than 450 glittering guests gathered at 1100 California Street for a Brazilian-inspired Noite de Carnaval that the cathedral says is its largest annual fundraiser and that raised nearly $1 million to support ministries across the Bay Area. Dean Malcolm Clemens Young used the evening to announce the cathedral’s 2026 theme, the Year of Resonance, framing the coming year as a time to consider connection, meaning and how communities influence civic life.

The Right Reverend Austin K. Rios, Bishop of California, spoke to the event’s civic and spiritual purpose, saying, "Carnivale reflects the heart of Grace Cathedral: joy, generosity, and a deep commitment to community." He added, "At a time when so many are longing for connection and hope, this celebration reminds us that faith is meant to be shared and comes alive with beauty, music, and purpose."

Organizers leaned on Brazilian Carnaval imagery and communal celebration. The cathedral’s publicity described the night as "Noite de Carnaval: A Celebration of Joy" and promoted the evening as honoring "resilience, creativity, and the power of joy as a spiritual force." Dean Malcolm Clemens Young said, "At Grace Cathedral, joy lies at the heart of what we do and who we are," positioning the gala as both cultural performance and fundraising vehicle. The cathedral’s event page celebrated the atmosphere: "What a night of color, rhythm, and pure alegria!"

Local society figures and clergy populated the guest list and photo gallery. Co-chairs Erin McCune and Dr. Robert Brown were pictured in the nave; other named attendees in the event gallery included Aldon Nedeau, Jennifer Edwardson, Tobias Keller, Valerie Crane Dorfman, Caroline Phan, Nicole Orme, Scott Cooley, Ronald Clark, Liam Mayclem and Rev. Miguel Bustos. The gallery is credited to Drew Altizer Photography. Leadership names on the cathedral’s board and event materials include The Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios, President; The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Vice President; Tobias S. Keller, Chair; Anne Casscells, Vice Chair; John Berg, Treasurer; and Michael Janis, Secretary.

The cathedral and its communications framed the nearly $1 million haul as underwriting a broad portfolio of civic programs: spiritual formation, social justice initiatives, arts and culture programming and community engagement, including the GraceArts cultural membership program. Carnivale itself traces back to 2011 in the cathedral’s materials, which call it "one of San Francisco's most anticipated philanthropic events."

The scale of fundraising at CARNIVALE underscores Grace Cathedral’s role as an institutional actor in San Francisco civic life. The event’s leadership roster and board list signal where philanthropic influence and program priorities converge inside a historic religious institution that also presents itself as a public cultural venue. The cathedral’s website and PR materials emphasize invitations to give and ongoing engagement, but event materials distributed publicly did not include a line-item breakdown of net proceeds or the specific programs that will receive the funds.

For inquiries about event outcomes and program allocation, Grace Cathedral lists Eva Woo Slavitt, Canon of Communications and Marketing, at 925-876-9435 and the cathedral’s main phone at 415-749-6300. Cathedral hours posted on its site are Monday–Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, and Sundays, 1 pm – 5 pm. As the Year of Resonance unfolds, the cathedral’s leadership will be expected to translate this fundraising momentum into concrete programming across the arts, social justice and community ministries that shape neighborhood and citywide civic life.