Girls Inc. of OC's 2026 Sneaker Ball Raises $400,000 to Support the Next Generation of Women Leaders

Girls Inc. of Orange County, the Santa Ana-based affiliate of the national nonprofit dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, proudly announces the success of its annual Sneaker Ball gala, Ready or Not, Here They Come. Held at Fête the Venue in Costa Mesa on Saturday, May 2, the event brought together nearly 300 community leaders, corporate partners, philanthropists, and advocates to raise $400,000 in support of Girls Inc. of Orange County’s workforce development and college readiness programs.

Centered around the theme “Ready or Not, Here They Come,” the evening celebrated the next generation of girls and young women stepping confidently into their futures. Through an immersive and interactive experience, attendees explored Girls Inc. of Orange County’s workforce readiness pathway and experienced firsthand how the organization equips participants with the skills, confidence, mentorship, and real-world opportunities needed to thrive in school, careers, and leadership roles.

At a time when employers across Orange County continue prioritizing leadership development, STEM talent pipelines, and career-connected learning opportunities, Girls Inc. of Orange County is helping prepare the next generation of young women to confidently enter college, careers, and industries shaping the region’s future.

Throughout the evening, guests moved through a series of interactive program activations designed to showcase Girls Inc. of Orange County’s impact at every stage of a girl’s journey. Activations highlighted several of the organization’s key programs, including:

• Business Builders, an entrepreneurship initiative introducing elementary-aged girls to leadership and innovation
• Eureka!, a STEM enrichment program for middle school students
• Girls Meet the Workforce, which provides high school participants with career exploration opportunities and hands-on externship experiences
• Project Accelerate, which offers mentorship, networking, and professional development support for college-aged women.

More than 1,300 girls annually participate in Girls Inc. of Orange County’s workforce readiness and STEM-focused programming, gaining access to mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, and hands-on learning opportunities designed to prepare them for future success.

The immersive format allowed supporters to experience firsthand how Girls Inc. of Orange County is building a long-term pipeline of confident, career-ready young women throughout Orange County.

The evening also featured inspiring stories from Girls Inc. participants and alumnae whose experiences reflected the lasting impact of mentorship, leadership development, and career-connected learning opportunities. Their stories reinforced a core truth behind the organization’s mission: when girls are given access to opportunity, mentorship, and support, they gain the tools and confidence to shape their own futures.

Since 1954, Girls Inc. of Orange County has grown from serving 133 girls to impacting more than 9,000 girls annually, from kindergarten through college and into the workforce. Events like Sneaker Ball play a critical role in ensuring the organization can continue expanding access to life-changing programs and resources for the girls and young women it serves.

“Tonight was a reminder that the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers is already here — they simply need access to the opportunities, mentorship, and support that allow them to thrive,” said Lucy Santana, CEO of Girls Inc. of Orange County. “Every dollar raised through Sneaker Ball helps create pathways for girls to build confidence, explore careers, develop meaningful relationships, and pursue futures that may have once felt out of reach. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to invest in their success.”

For those interested in supporting Girls Inc. of Orange County’s mission, visit https://www.girlsinc-oc.org/ to learn more, get involved, or make a contribution.