Supporters

Bridges Gala

Each year, Richard Marriott, along with a celebrity headliner, hosts this event in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the successes of Bridges and honor youth achievement. Our generous supporters are essential in generating additional resources to support Bridges services and help young adults with disabilities find a path to a brighter future through competitive employment.

Monday, June 22, 2026
Marriott Marquis | Washington, DC

6PM RECEPTION | 7PM DINNER & PROGRAM | 9PM AFTERGLOW RECEPTION

Bridges from School to Work is pleased to announce the 2026 Bridges Gala, taking place on Monday, June 22, in Washington DC. Led by Mr. Richard E. Marriott, the Bridges Gala is an inspiring evening celebrating the transformative impact of meaningful employment for young adults with disabilities. This signature event brings together the Bridges community to advance our mission of connecting talent to opportunity and building pathways to lifelong success.

Please join us in June for an inspiring evening celebrating the life-changing impact of empowering young adults with disabilities through meaningful employment.

Featuring Special Guests

The 2026 Bridges Gala is honored to welcome Tanner and Nicci Smith, beloved stars from Love on the Spectrum, whose story has touched audiences around the world. Their warmth, authenticity, and advocacy for acceptance and inclusion embody the spirit of Bridges’ work and will bring a heartfelt perspective to this year’s celebration.

Confirm Your Support

To pledge your support or learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and program announcements, please contact the Bridges Gala team at bridgesgala@orrgroup.com or call 202-719-8053.

2025 Bridges Gala

What a night to remember! On June 16, over 950 guests joined us at the Marriott Marquis, raising more than $2 million for Bridges from School to Work. We celebrated Kyla Stewart’s achievements with the Stephen G. Marriott Youth Achievement Award and were motivated by Tony nominated actress Lauren Ridloff’s remarks on challenging expectations and redefining representation. Special thanks to our dedicated 2025 Gala Co-Chair, Janelle Johnson from PwC.

We are grateful to all those who pledged their generous support!