SERBIAN PHILANTHROPIC ASSOCIATION
November 17, 2023
Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City
The Serbian Philanthropic Association has the honor of inviting you to the fourth Serbian Philanthropic Gala on 17 November 2023, at the iconic Cipriani in the heart of Manhattan.
Partners, Sponsors and Donors
Main organizing partner
Grand Donors
Donors
Mark and Dijana
Jovanović
Babčić and Tal
Family
Haralambos
Garofalis
Tihomir
Bajić
Individual Donors
Dejan Ilić
Event Supporters
Sponsors
Main communications partner
2023 Gala at the glance
This year's Gala puts children at the epicenter of our charitable efforts. We will be raising funds for projects that support the health and wellbeing of these precious yet most vulnerable members of our society.
To achieve this, we are teaming up with two notable organizations:
- the Novak Djokovic Foundation and their “Feel to Heal” program that develops children's emotion management skills necessary for their lifelong wellbeing, and
- the BELhospice Centre for Palliative Care and their “Hospice at Home for Children” program that provides medical care, support, and hope to terminally ill children and their families.
All proceeds raised at the Gala will be split equally between these two initiatives.
At the Gala, we will also reveal and celebrate this year's recipient of the Excellence in Philanthropic Action Award. This recognition is awarded annually by the Serbian Philanthropic Association to acknowledge individuals and organizations for their inspiring charitable work.
We will be providing further information on the fundraising projects and the event in the coming weeks.
2023 Fundraising Causes
BELhospice stands as a beacon of hope and comfort for terminally ill children in Serbia. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Natasa Milicevic and her dedicated colleagues, this remarkable organization has become synonymous with compassionate palliative care. Their specialized team of doctors, caregivers, nurses, and volunteers works tirelessly to ensure that children facing life-limiting illnesses receive not only medical attention but also emotional support and dignity during their most challenging moments. BELhospice's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for these young patients and their families is unparalleled, making them a pivotal force in Serbia's healthcare landscape.
BELhospice's exceptional commitment lies in offering all their services completely cost-free. By removing the financial stress, the organization empowers families to prioritize what truly counts - fostering love and crafting cherished moments with their children.
The Feel to Heal program, led by the Novak Djokovic Foundation, empowers children with essential emotional intelligence skills, vital for personal and professional success. In a world where emotions often go misunderstood, this program equips children with tools to navigate their feelings constructively. By fostering emotional literacy, Feel to Heal also lays the groundwork for healthier relationships, families, and communities. Supporting this initiative means investing in a future where emotional intelligence is nurtured, creating resilient, empathetic, and harmonious individuals ready to thrive in all aspects of life.
Program and Entertainment
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Cocktail Reception
8:00 pm Welcome & Opening Remarks
Fundraising Cause Presentation: Novak Djokovic Foundation & BELhospice Center for Palliative Care
8:45 pm Main Course and Program Break for Networking accompanied by Austrian Waltz
9:40 pm - 10 pm Recognition of Sponsors of the Event
Presentation of the Serbian Philanthropic Association Award for Excellence in Philanthropic Action
10 pm - 11:30 pm Special Live Performance by Marija Šerifović
11:30 pm - 12 am Fundraising and Silent Auction Conclusion Closing Remarks
We are honored to announce that the incredible Marija Šerifović, celebrated as one of the all-time greatest Serbian female vocalists and a Eurovision Song Contest winner, will grace us with her guest performance.
2023 marks two decades of Marija's impressive career, a journey that has gifted us with cherished music. Join us, alongside other esteemed guests and donors, as we come together for yet another charitable cause this year.
Well-known duo from last year's gala, Jelena Gavrilović and George Petković, will be reprising their roles as the esteemed Masters of Ceremony at this year's Serbian Philanthropic Association Gala, set to take place on November 17th at Cipriani 42nd Street.
Their exceptional talent and dedication made last year's event truly unforgettable, and we are beyond excited to have them back for another incredible evening.
2023 Silent Auction
Discover an extraordinary array of exclusive items at this year's gala silent auction, carefully curated for a truly unique experience.
For those unable to attend in person, we invite you to participate remotely and bid on these exceptional items by following the provided link.
The auction will extend into the gala night, closing at 11:15 pm ET on November 17. Items will be available for pick up on the night of the Gala. In the event that you are not attending, a handover will be arranged with our team.
Your support through this virtual auction will make a meaningful impact on the vital projects we support.
Individual Tickets
Tickets for 2023 Gala are now SOLD OUT. Please join the wailist in order to be notified in case tickets become available.
*Note that we will make all efforts to accommodate seating requests in order of ticket purchases, however we cannot guarantee that each request will be fulfilled because of the space and table size limitations.
Donor Tickets and Tables
Tickets for 2023 Gala are now SOLD OUT. Please join the wailist in order to be notified in case tickets become available.
Donor Table (10 seats)
$7,500Grand Donor Table (10 seats)
$13,000*Kindly reach out to us prior to purchasing a table via spga.customer.relations@gmail.com
Experience from 2022 Gala
On November 4th, 2021, the second annual Serbian Philanthropic Gala was held in New York's iconic Gotham Hall. At the Gala, the Serbian Philanthropic Association recognized and supported individuals and organizations in Serbia and the diaspora whose charitable work has advanced the spirit of philanthropy. Read more about 2022 Gala here.
Gala 2022: Video Experience
Organizing Comittee
Serbian Philanthropic Association is a non-political, non-religious non-profit organization incorporated in 2020 in New York City. Our mission is to make a lasting positive impact on the Serbian community by creating events and opportunities that celebrate contributions, spark ideas and inspire action. For more information and initiatives please click here. Serbian Philanthropic Association is organizing the Serbian Philanthropic Gala.
Jelena Gudurić
Senior Rule of Law Officer at the United Nations
Igor Mladenović
Manager, EY Consulting
George Petković
VP Americas, Air Serbia
Stevan Lee Mraović
Filmmaker and Poet
Petar Marković
VP at Investment Banking, Deutsche Bank
Mark Jovanović
Associate Broker, Compass Real Estate
Marta Stijepović
Hospitality, PR and Communications
Aleksandra Marković
Fashion Stylist
Vlada Pavlović
Senior Legal Editor, Thompson Reuters
Ivana Boberić
Analyst, Morgan Stanley
Mihajlo Kozjak
Director, EY Parthenon
Milica Jojić
Public Relations at FINN Partners
Milica Rajković
CFO, AAA Holding
Anja Martinović
Senior, EY Strategy and Transactions
Nikola Ćosić
Associate Director, Ariel Property Advisors
Lana Buturović
Technology Consultunt, EY
Teodora Odžaković
Senior Manager - Supply Chain, L'Oréal
Masha Ražnatović
Public Policy student at New York University
Ivana Zečević
Principal, Blackstone
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is the purpose of this event?
To give back through donations to Novak Djokovic Foundation and BELHospice Centre, to network with like-minded professionals, and to celebrate Serbian culture and traditions.
Who is the organizer?
The Serbian Philanthropic Association (SPA) is the organizer. SPA is a non-political, non-religious non-profit organization incorporated in New York State.
Is this a religious or political event?
No political or religious theme will be promoted at the event.
Why should I come?
If you are Serbian, this event presents a great opportunity to
meet fellow Serbs who share similar backgrounds while
contributing to a great cause.
If you are not Serbian, this is a great opportunity to learn
more about our culture and traditions, network with like-minded
individuals and contribute to a great cause.
Registration Questions
Can anyone register? Can all nationalities attend?
Yes - we will gladly welcome guests of all nationalities of the world. As we promote unity and inclusion everyone is invited regardless of their background or connection to Serbia.
Will the event be held in English or Serbian?
The official language of this event will be English, although there will be opportunities for people to catch a couple of new phrases in Serbian.
Can I donate without attending the event?
Yes - donations are NOT related to the event registration and can be made using this link.
Can a check donation be made at the event?
Yes - please make your check payable to the Serbian Philanthropic Association, add a note that the check is for the Serbian Philanthropic Gala during the event.
Can a cash donation be made at the event?
Yes - we will be collecting cash donations during the event.
Is my ticket and donation tax deductible?
SPA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in New York. We are recognized as a public charity and hold tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can enjoy the benefit of deducting their contributions to SPA, as defined by IRC Section 170.
Ticket Questions
What is included in the ticket price?
Premium open bar during the entire evening, seated dinner, live performances by various artists, and a fun event to network with fellow guests.
Will there be any extra charges at the event?
No - the ticket price covers all expenses; however, we encourage and welcome your donations.
Can I order tickets by phone?
No - please register and purchase your tickets on the website.
Can I purchase tickets at the door on the night of the event?
Unfortunately no. Due to event planning purposes and meal preparation, we will not be able to accommodate last-minute tickets. Please register and purchase your tickets on the website in advance of the event.
Can I bring my children? Does my child need a ticket?
Please feel free to bring your children and enjoy the event. No childcare services will be provided at the venue, so we ask you to supervise them during the evening. Children aged 5 and above will need a ticket to attend. Please let us know if you have any special requests ahead of time and we will try to accommodate. Please note that this is a black tie event and children should be dressed accordingly.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after buying the ticket?
No, but you can transfer the ticket to someone else by notifying us ahead of the event.
Do I need to bring my email confirmation in order to attend the event?
We will have a registry of all guests at the venue entrance, so tickets are not necessary. To help faster check-in, please have your confirmation email handy at the door.
Logistics Questions
Are there recommended hotels for out-of-town guests attending the event?
We're excited to have you join us for our upcoming event at Cipriani on 42nd Street in New York City. To make your stay as convenient as possible, we've secured exclusive accommodations with special discounts at two hotels:
-
Iroquois Hotel
- Location: W 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.
- Booking Link (Includes Exclusive Discount): Iroquois Hotel Booking
- For Personal Assistance: Contact the hotel at Iroquoissales@triumphhotels.com.
-
Evelyn Hotel
- Location: E 27th Street between Madison and 5th Avenue.
- Booking Link (Includes Exclusive Discount): Evelyn Hotel Booking
Booking through these links will provide you with exclusive discounts to enhance your stay. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the respective hotels directly. We look forward to having you at our event and hope you enjoy your time in New York City!