15: The Alpine Country Club, Cranston, is the setting at 6:30 for the Gail Badessa Memorial Fund for Cultural Experiences, which offers opportunities to developmentally delayed adults and children. $75. (401) 781-4380, ext. 130; mixedmediapromo@cox.net; www.spurwinkri.org/OurMission.asp.

15: The Breakers, 44 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, at 7 is the setting for the Tiffany Ball, a black-tie dinner-dance to benefit the Preservation Society of Newport County. $425. (401) 847-1000, ext. 140.

16: The fifth Bird Ball Gala, which raises money for the Norman Bird Sanctuary, is at 7 at the sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown. $100; $125 at the door. (401) 846-2577, ext.14.

16: Blithewold holds 2008 Gala … The Celebration of a Century at 5:30 at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum in Bristol. $250. (401) 253-2707 or www.blithewold.org.

18. The American Cancer Society’s Knock Out Breast Cancer, Round 1 Fundraiser will be held at Sogno Ristorante & Bar, 961 Dyer Ave., Cranston. 5-11 pm. 946-3335.

21: The American Cancer Society’s A Night of HOPE is at 6:30 at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. $250. (401) 243-2617; anightofhope@cancer.org; www.cancer.org.

21: Newport Hospital’s 135th anniversary gala takes place at Belle Mer, Goat Island, Newport, from 7 pm to midnight. Tickets begin at $350 per person. For tickets call 845-1619 or e-mail lpinheiro1@lifespan.org. Proceeds will benefit the hospital’s emergency department.

September

12: The 2nd Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards are at 6 at Rough Point on Bellevue Avenue, Newport. The money raised will benefit the Doris Duke Historic Preservation Fund program, which funds local preservation projects. $125. (401) 849-7300; geninfo@newportrestoration.org; or www.newportrestoration.org.

13: Crossroads Rhode Island, which provides services to the homeless, holds its annual fundraiser. (Location and ticket price to be determined.) (401) 277-4330 or www.crossroadsri.org.

15. The American Cancer Society’s Knock Out Breast Cancer, Round 2 Fundraiser will be held at Sogno Ristorante & Bar, 961 Dyer Ave., Cranston. 7 pm. 946-3335.

19: Garden of Hope at the Botanical Gardens at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence. Live and silent auction, 6:30 -10 pm, to benefit Bradley Hospital. For information, see www.bradleyhospital.org.

20: Orient-Express: Safari to the Heart of Africa is at 6 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet. Kent Hospital’s cariology program benefits. $200. (401) 737-7000 ext. 5243; www.SupportKentHospital.org

27: The Star Studded Gala raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Providence Marriott. $125. (401) 781-9474; awelch-zerba@makeawishri.org; or www.makeawishri.org.

October

6: Reach Out and Read RI benefits from Breakfast for Books at 7:30 a.m. at the Providence Marriott. $50. (401) 331-1967; maria@rorri.org.

16: The R.I. Chapter of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital holds a party at 6:30 at Metro Honda, 1880.

18: The 2008 RISE Fashion Show to benefit Rhode Islanders Sponsoring Education, a scholarship and mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents, begins at 5:30 at the Bank of America Skating Center. $125. (401) 421-2010 or www.riseonline.org.

18: Special Olympics benefits from the black-tie Benefest ’09 at 6 at Hyatt regency, goat island, Newport, $250 per couple. (401) 823-7411; www.specialolympicsri.org; tracy@specialolympicsri.org.

20: The Brighter Futures Award banquet, in which proceeds go to Family Service of Rhode Island, is at noon at the R.I. Convention Center. $125. (401) 331-1350, ext. 3319; smallda@familyserviceri.org or www.familyserviceri.org.

22: The Crowne Plaza in Warwick is the setting at 5:30 for the Pink Gala to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $125. (401) 223-6118; www.rithinkpink.info.

25: The Genesis Center, which offers adult education, job training and childcare programs to immigrants, refugees and low-income individuals, holds its annual Food for Thought Benefit at 5:30 at Roger Williams Park Casino. Ticket price to be determined. (401) 781-6110; www.gencenter.org.

November

1: The 21st Annual Fantasy Ball to raise money for the Tomorrow Fund, which offers financial and emotional support to the families and the children who have cancer, is at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet at 6. (401) 444-8811.

22: The Rhode Island Philharmonic hosts a black-tie gala in a location to be determined. $250. (401) 248-7070; (401) 248-7004; www.riphil.org; lscanlon@riphil.org.

December

13: The Junior League of Rhode Island will hold its 7th House tour fundraising event Seaside Holiday: Narragansett-Not Just for Summer. The event will feature ongoing self-guided tours of coastal homes decorated for the holidays in Narragansett’s south end. Tours will run from 9:30 am-4 pm. Tickets are $30 advance or at the door with a donation of three non-perishable food items or $35 at the door and includes trolley transportation between the homes. All proceeds will support the Junior League’s training and volunteer programs. For tickets: 331-9302 or www.JLRI.org.

2009

February

14: The Black Heritage Society hosts its 30th annual Heritage Ball at 7 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Ticket price to be determined. (401) 751-3490 or riblackheritagesociety@verizon.net.

April

26. Jewish Family Service will hold its 80th anniversary gala at the Ledgemont Country Club, 131 Brown Ave., Seekonk. Cocktails begin at 6 pm. Tickets are $150. 331-1244 or behiye@jfsri.org.