Top 10 Celebrity-Filled Charity Balls
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Got a spare $200,000, feeling generous, but not sure how to part with your money? You can always splurge on a table at a splashy charity event, but do lavish charity benefits actually generate any income for the organizations they promote? To give you a better insight, MainStreet has ranked 10 of the biggest, most anticipated high-profile benefits in terms of their overall star power and their financial impact.
Next: Butterfly BallMore From MainStreet:
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Chris Weeks, AP
Chrysalis Butterfly Ball
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Founded and co-hosted by Mrs. McSteamy/Noxzema Girl Rebecca Gayheart-Dane, this up-and-comer is quickly becoming a favorite among younger Hollywood stars.
STAR POWER: 2 stars. The Grey's Anatomy gang draws the entertainment press like so many moths to a flame, so look for this party to get more and more popular.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3 stars. With a reported budget of only $200,000, the 2008 Butterfly Ball should generate a nice profit.
Next: Race to Erase MSMore From MainStreet:
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David Livingsto, Getty Images
The Race to Erase MS
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Co-chairs Tommy Hilfiger and Nancy Davis host this hybrid fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.
STAR POWER: 1 star. We're sure Lisa Rinna is a nice lady, but why does she always get invited to these things?
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 1 star. According to the tax returns, the 2006 Race to Erase MS squeaked out a small net income, but with the foundation spending 36 cents for every dollar raised, we think they can do better.
Next: Party in the GardenMore From MainStreet:
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Michael Loccisano, FilmMagic.com
The Museum of Modern Art's Party in the Garden
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This long-standing event has been luring the rich, powerful, hip and creative to the MOMA's Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden for 40 years.
STAR POWER: 2.5 stars. The MOMA's making a valiant effort to make patronage cool.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3 stars. In 2006, the Party in the Garden netted about $600,000 for the Museum.
Next: Carousel of HopeMore From MainStreet:
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Michael Buckner, Getty Images
Children's Diabetes Foundation's Carousel of Hope
In 2006, the Carousel of Hope raised $4 million for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, with about $900,000 covering event expenses.
STAR POWER: 3 stars. Both living legends and "famous-for-no-reason" types flock to this event.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 2.5 stars. The Carousel Ball brings in the dinero, but the foundation still spends 18 cents for every dollar raised, a bit on the high side.
Next: Hot Pink PartyMore From MainStreet:
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Adam Rountree, AP
Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Hot Pink Party
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Raising a huge $5.1 million for breast cancer research, this April benefit entertained 1200 guests and featured a performance by the ubiquitous Elton John, a "Pink" gala regular.
STAR POWER: 2 stars. The Pink Party could do with bigger-name celebs in attendance.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3 stars. According to the BCRF's 2007 tax return, last year's event turned a modest profit of $400,000.
Next: AIDS FoundationMore From MainStreet:
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Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com
Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Party
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This year’s party and auction raised a record-breaking $5.1 million.
STAR POWER: 3 stars. Despite some A-list attrition in recent years, this still reels in big celebs, if only for a quick photo op.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3.5 stars. This event is splashy and cost-effective, and the Foundation spends a mere four cents for every dollar raised.
Next: amFARMore From MainStreet:
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Gregorio Borgia, AP
amFAR's Cinema Against AIDS
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May's Cannes benefit raised more than $10 million in support of amfAR's HIV/AIDS research and prevention Programs.
STAR POWER: 3 stars. This one brings out the heavy hitters.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3 stars. The 2006 auction raised over $4 million, with only $600,000 in expenses, netting amFAR $3.4 million. For every dollar raised amFAR spends 14 cents.
Next: Costume Institute GalaMore From MainStreet:
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Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala
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This annual spring event has grown to rival the Academy Awards in terms of star wattage, and press attention.
STAR POWER: 4 stars. If Vanity Fair's Oscar Party and Fashion Week mated, this would be their terrifyingly chic and exclusive baby.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 1 star. It might lose money, but this event generates truly priceless amounts of publicity.
Next: Kennedy Center HonorsMore From MainStreet:
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Lauren Victoria Burke, AP
The Kennedy Center Honors
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This truly black-tie event is the highlight of DC's cultural year, and each one honors five honorees from the world of art, film, music, and theater.
STAR POWER: 3.5 stars. He's certainly not popular these days, but President Bush is still just about as famous as they come.
BANG FOR THE BUCK: 3.5 stars. As long as CBS keeps writing the biggest check of all, the Honors will continue to be a boon.
Next: Robin Hood Foundation BenefitMore From MainStreet:
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Richard Drew, AP
Robin Hood Foundation Benefit
Visit This Charity's Site
This behemoth fundraiser is a favorite of hedge-fund billionaires and is without a doubt the gold standard for charity bashes. In 2007, the annual dinner and auction raised a mind-boggling and record-breaking $71 million in one night.
STAR POWER: 2 stars. The famous are mostly there to perform, not to rub elbows. But who needs them anyway?
BANG FOR THE BUCK: Off the charts. This event gets Wall Street to fork it over -- and then some.
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Celebrity Money Mistakes
Behind the fancy clothes and re-touched photos, celebrities are just people who, like us regular Joes, make serious mistakes.
Click through our gallery as personal finance experts Ken and Daria Dolan share nine biggies that have made headlines recently...
Celebrity Money Mistakes
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Recent Comments
Jonvon56 09:37:07 AM Aug 03 2008
BenMtz,, Did you look at the articial ? It's not all white people in these photo's, poor me, poor me, you f*%#ing whinner. These people ( all of them ) do not know what CHARITY IS , unless they make MONEY, But poor black you, you didn't get an invite. LOL
Cigz20 05:57:58 PM Jul 18 2008
didn't that noxema rebbeca gayheart anorexic mow down a 6 year old in her SUV while talking on her cell phone? yes, she did. How very L.A. At least her skin was clear!
You7Bt 10:17:27 PM Jul 11 2008
I tell you I would date her in a minute, but that not going to happen! I guess money powers the world. Well hell I don't know women that have money are cheaters so it goes both ways. People if your looking for a nice women go oversees because I am MP Officer over there and there very loyal, and compassionate, honest, and very faithful, and loveable and caring! AND LOTS MORE I JUST WANTED TO GIVE EVERYONE A HEADS UP!
BAA14 08:10:26 PM Jul 11 2008
Those seem kinda dumb. Wonderful causes, but who are these ''celebrities?'' P-Diddy and Paris Hilton? I'd have a more stimulating conversation chatting with my dog's arse. On the other hand, if you like sports stars, every sports great you can think of has attended this event in NY at one time or another........ http://www.themiamiproject.org/x1415.xml
BenMtz 07:47:20 PM Jul 11 2008
welocme to america!! now to be famous, go on the corner of sunset and vine and ***** urself?
BenMtz 07:46:20 PM Jul 11 2008
must be nice to be rich, white and a ***** star in america?
Flatoutflying 07:45:36 PM Jul 11 2008
GKruth 07:18:36 PM Jul 11 2008 Report This! Where's the Noxema Girl? I'm getting tired of these phoney AOL teasers that don't have the topic header. This stinks and whoever does these pages ought to wise up and fly straight.Finally somebody agrees with me, AOL stinks
Kebo2070 07:35:36 PM Jul 11 2008
pee....doo..diddle..doo.dumb doo black dudes will pay anything just to be seen with a white broad
KayaknBaby65 07:30:55 PM Jul 11 2008
Paris Hilton probably doesn't even know what MS is!
