Final Call for Support for City of Hope 2026 Spirit of Life Gala

April 13, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The prestigious Spirit of Life® Lifetime Achievement award will be presented this year to Kevin O’Connor in recognition of his leadership and longstanding commitment to advancing City of Hope’s mission. The awards gala will be held Friday, April 24 at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons. To date, the 2026 event has raised more than $1 million for City of Hope.

As the event draws closer, the organizing committee encourages additional participation from industry leaders and emphasizes City of Hope’s national and global impact, which has been supported by the International Home Furnishings Industry group with over $100 million since its partnership began in 1965.

Sponsors for the 2026 Spirit of Life® gala represent every segment of the home furnishings industry including retailers of all sizes across the country, furniture and mattress manufacturers, and suppliers and service providers. The committee recognizes this year’s current top sponsors: 

Presenting Sponsor: ($100,000): Rooms To Go

Honoree Circle Sponsors: ($50,000): Ashley Furniture, LS Direct, Samson Marketing, Surya

Diamond Sponsors: ($25,000): Baer's Furniture, Berkshire Hathaway: Jordan's, Nebraska Furniture Mart, RC Willey and Star Furniture, CITY Furniture, Classic Home, Darvin Furniture, Flexsteel, Haverty's Furniture, Hooker Furniture, J.B. Hunt, KUKA Home, La-Z-Boy, Liberty Furniture, ManWah, Raymour & Flanigan, Tempur Sealy

Platinum Sponsor ($15,000): The TJX Companies

Gold Sponsors: ($10,000): American Furniture Warehouse, ANDMORE, JBS Couros, Jofran, Magnussen Home, Morris Furniture, Serta Simmons Bedding, Skyline Furniture, Wayfair, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP

Silver Sponsors: ($5,000): AICO, Bernhardt Furniture, BrandSource, Broyhill Family Foundation, Davis Direct, El Dorado Furniture, FMG/Wells Fargo, Forvis Mazars, Glen Raven, Markor International/Vivet Inc., Massood Logistics, Matter Brothers, Norwalk Furniture, Nourison, Designer Group: Otto and Moore, Wheeless Designs & CH Designs, and Vanguard Furniture

Reception Sponsor: ($10,000): Amazon

Photo Booth Sponsor: ($10,000): Belfort Furniture

Champagne Sponsors: ($5,000): Crypton, Linon/Powell

For City of Hope’s past Spirit of Life awards, view the honorees here. To support or register for this event, visit CityofHope.org/IHFI-Gala. For more information, contact Loren Boyko at 626-222-9764, or send an email to ihfievents@coh.org.

To learn more about the West Coast Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournament, the industry’s other flagship fundraising event taking place June 8, and to register online, click here. For more information, contact Cathleen Tighe at 323-459-5130, or send an email to ihfievents@coh.org.