Tickets On Sale Soon For The Community Fund Of Darien's 2026 'Design To Dine' Fundraiser

DARIEN, CT — The Community Fund of Darien announced that tickets for "Designed to Dine 2026," the organization’s signature fundraising event, will go on sale to the public beginning Sunday, March 1, at 4 p.m.

The event also marks the fund’s 75th anniversary. Organizers encouraged community members to purchase tickets when sales open in anticipation of a sellout.

For the milestone year, Designed to Dine will expand to include two back-to-back signature events in one day: an Afternoon Tea and an Evening Celebration. The events highlight the organization’s 75-year history of local philanthropy and nearly $30 million granted since 1951 to nonprofits supporting basic needs in Stamford, Norwalk and Darien.

The day will begin with an Afternoon Tea Preview from 1 to 3 p.m. at Woodway Country Club. Guests will be offered curated tea bites and drinks and a first look at more than 25 designer tablescapes ahead of the evening event.

The afternoon program will feature guest speaker Cece Bowman, founder of Cece Bowman Interiors and a former designer for Kemble Interiors.

Bowman will lead a discussion on how color confidence and thoughtful layering can shape interior spaces, sharing her design philosophy of embracing personality and warmth, including her mantra: no white walls.

The evening portion, a separately ticketed Evening Celebration event, is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. and will include cocktails, culinary stations and live entertainment set among the same collection of more than 25 designer tablescapes.

The event will honor Lisa Haas, director of community grants, for her 20 years of service to The Community Fund of Darien.

Tickets will be available online at communityfunddarien.org beginning Sunday, March 1, at 4 p.m.

Ticket prices are $175 for the Afternoon Tea, $300 for the Evening Celebration and $1,075 for the Circle of Friends package, which includes both events.

Additional event details and ticket information are available at communityfunddarien.org.