Highlights
- The 40th annual Dinner on the Desert raised $1 million on April 25, 2026, at Desert Botanical Garden.
- Trustee Hank Arens chaired the event alongside a committee of more than 20 community leaders.
- More than 700 guests attended the outdoor dining event, which included a silent auction and live entertainment.
- The next Dinner on the Desert is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2027.
Desert Botanical Garden's 40th annual Dinner on the Desert cleared $1 million on April 25, making it a milestone for one of the Valley's most durable philanthropic evenings. Proceeds support the Garden's conservation and education mission at its 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. campus in Papago Park, where the nonprofit has operated since 1939.
More than 700 guests arrived for a sunset reception before moving to an outdoor dinner built around locally-inspired cuisine tied to the agricultural heritage of the Southwest. The evening also featured live entertainment and a silent auction.
Trustee Hank Arens chaired the event alongside a committee of more than 20 community leaders. "Dinner on the Desert was an unforgettable night. The Garden celebrated the event's 40th anniversary by honoring its roots — its volunteers — inviting dozens as special guests. It was a true celebration of community," Arens said.
Garden President and CEO Chris Kline credited the crowd with turning the evening into something beyond a standard benefit. "What we witnessed tonight was more than a gala it was a shared belief in the power of the desert to bring people together, spark wonder and create lasting impact. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this incredible $1 million evening possible," Kline said.
Who chaired the 40th Dinner on the Desert?
Trustee Hank Arens led the event committee, which included more than 20 community leaders. Arens framed the evening as a deliberate return to the Garden's volunteer roots, with dozens of longtime volunteers invited as special guests rather than staff.
The 41st Dinner on the Desert is set for Saturday, April 17, 2027. Information is available at dbg.org.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- dbg.org retrieved 21/05/2026 16:31
- experiencescottsdale.com retrieved 21/05/2026 16:31
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 21/05/2026 16:31. Every claim traces to a source.
