Saturday, April 26, 2025 The Depot - Minneapolis 225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis
Hard Hat & Black Tie is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s annual premiere gala that raises funds to create, preserve, and promote affordable homeownership and advance racial equity in housing.
Join us this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity affiliate!
Home impacts every area of a family’s life—health, safety, education outcomes, and financial opportunity. And the impact grows with each generation. Join us to create real, positive change in our community.
Event Details
6:00 pm – Social hour and silent auction 7:30 pm – Dinner, program, and live auction 9:15 pm – After Party
This year we'll be at The Depot - Minneapolis (225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401), a gorgeous event space in downtown Minneapolis. You'll enter The Depot from 5th Avenue South and park in the surface parking lot or go to the underground garage. Check out our map of The Depot for more information.
What do I need to bring?
This is a ticketless event! As long as you're registered, all you need to do is show up at the registration table and give your name. You'll also be asked to enter a credit card at registration to ensure a seamless evening of bidding high and giving generously. This will make checkout much easier for you. (Oh, and don't forget to wear your construction couture!)
How can I bid on auction items?
Our silent auction goes live on Wednesday, April 24, so you'll be able to start bidding from home even before you arrive at the Gala! Once you're at the Gala, you'll receive instructions on how to continue bidding on your phone. Or you'll be able to bid on the tablets found next to each silent auction item. You can start bidding at home and finish up at the Gala—and be sure to check back for a list of our live auction items!
How will I check out for the evening and get my auction items?
You will be notified that you won an auction item during the dinner program. If you're bidding through your phone, you'll receive a notification of what you've won. And everyone will receive a receipt at their table.
Please plan to check out at the end of the night. This is where you'll complete your payment for any live or silent auction items you won and your donation. You'll also be able to take your auction items home with you.
Pro tip: registering your credit card at registration at the beginning of the night makes checking out so much smoother—so please don't skip that step when asked!
What is this After Party I keep hearing about?
Once dinner is done and we've hit our $1.1 million fundraising goal, then it's really time to party! Dance the night away to the music of Free & Easy band. Or grab some friends and play some of our fun party games.
What’s the hashtag?
Look at you being all social-media savvy! It is #HardHatGala. Please share photos of your construction couture and your favorite Gala moments whether you're at the Gala or in your own home.
What is construction couture?
The signature element of the evening is the mix of formal wear and construction gear—we call it construction couture! It’s the only party in town where guests can wear Carhartt and Versace in the same ensemble. Check out some examples here.
How do I complete my online auction purchase and/or donation?
First, you'll be prompted to enter your credit card information when you bid on an auction item or make a donation (even if you plan on using a different payment method).
Next, you'll need to finalize your purchase(s) by clicking the "checkout" button after the auction closes (or whenever you're done if you're not bidding on anything). There, you'll see your total, including all auction items you won and your donation.
Once you complete your purchase, you'll be emailed a receipt. If you pay by credit card, your card will be charged on Monday, April 29.
What if I want to pay for my donation and auction items with something other than a credit card?
No problem! You’ll still have to enter a credit card to bid or donate, but when you get to Checkout, just select “I want to pay a different way.” Then specify your payment request and we’ll contact you to process the payment. You can pay by check, stock, or a gift vehicle like a donor-advised fund. You can also split your payment and pay for just your auction items with your credit card and your donation another way. Just add it in the notes section.
Why did I get an email from Auction Harmony that shows a remaining balance?
After you check out, Auction Harmony sends an automated email with a receipt that shows your item(s) and/or donation as a "remaining balance." This is simply because your card (or other gift payment) won't be processed until Monday after the auction. So don't worry about it! You will receive an acknowledgment email from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity within two weeks of the event with your total tax-deductible portion from your auction items and/or donations.
How will I receive my auction items?
Auction items will come with instructions on how to receive them. But it will likely be one of two methods:
If it's a certificate, you'll receive it in the mail.
If it's a larger item, there will be times for you to do curbside pickup from our headquarters in St. Paul. If you can't do curbside pickup, let us know and we'll figure out a solution.
Note: There are some items that cannot be shipped or delivered outside of the Twin Cities - these are noted in the auction descriptions.
What are the COVID-19 guidelines?
Following CDC guidance, vaccination and testing are not required but highly encouraged before attending. Masks will be optional for all guests, volunteers, and staff. If you are sick, isolating, or have had a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home (refer to our guidelines for more information). By attending the event, you attest that you understand and will abide by this policy.
The signature element of the evening is the mix of formal wear and construction gear - construction couture! It’s the only party in town where guests can wear Carhartt and Versace in the same ensemble!
Committee Tony Barranco Rachel Centinario Lindsay Cremona Laura Crosby Skip Durocher Frank Hinck Carol Hollen Sharon Sayles Belton John Walbrun
We invite you to join us as a 2025 Hard Hat & Black Tie corporate sponsor. As a benefit, your business will receive outstanding recognition and visibility at the party that’s always a little less formal, and a lot more fun!
This year we'll be at The Depot - Minneapolis (225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401), a gorgeous event space in downtown Minneapolis. You'll enter The Depot from 5th Avenue South and park in the surface parking lot or go to the underground garage. Check out our map of The Depot for more information.
What do I need to bring?
This is a ticketless event! As long as you're registered, all you need to do is show up at the registration table and give your name. You'll also be asked to enter a credit card at registration to ensure a seamless evening of bidding high and giving generously. This will make checkout much easier for you. (Oh, and don't forget to wear your construction couture!)
How can I bid on auction items?
Online bidding is available for both guests and those not attending the Gala. Once you're at the Gala, you'll receive instructions on how to continue bidding on your phone. Or you'll be able to bid on the tablets found next to each silent auction item. You can start bidding at home and finish up at the Gala—and be sure to check back for a list of our live auction items!
How will I check out for the evening and get my auction items?
Please plan to check out at the end of the night. This is where you'll complete your payment for any live or silent auction items you won and your donation. You'll also be able to take your auction items home with you.
Pro tip: registering your credit card at registration at the beginning of the night makes checking out so much smoother—so please don't skip that step when asked!
What is this After Party I keep hearing about?
Once dinner is done and we've hit our $1.1 million fundraising goal, then it's really time to party! Dance the night away to the music of Free & Easy band. Or grab some friends and play some of our fun party games.
What is for dinner?
Dinner is a beet salad, a duet of Wagyu sirloin steak and herb-roasted chicken served with fingerling potatoes and broccolini. The vegetarian option is a quinoa truffle ragout. When you register for the event, please note any dietary restrictions.
What’s the hashtag?
Look at you being all social-media savvy! It is #HardHatGala. Please share photos of your construction couture and your favorite Gala moments whether you're at the Gala or in your own home.
What is construction couture?
The signature element of the evening is the mix of formal wear and construction gear—we call it construction couture! It’s the only party in town where guests can wear Carhartt and Versace in the same ensemble. Check out some examples here.
How do I complete my online auction purchase and/or donation?
First, you'll be prompted to enter your credit card information when you bid on an auction item or make a donation (even if you plan on using a different payment method).
Next, you'll need to finalize your purchase(s) by clicking the "checkout" button after the auction closes (or whenever you're done if you're not bidding on anything). There, you'll see your total, including all auction items you won and your donation.
Once you complete your purchase, you'll be emailed a receipt. If you pay by credit card, your card will be charged on Monday, April 29.
What if I want to pay for my donation and auction items with something other than a credit card?
No problem! You’ll still have to enter a credit card to bid or donate, but when you get to Checkout, just select “I want to pay a different way.” Then specify your payment request and we’ll contact you to process the payment. You can pay by check, stock, or a gift vehicle like a donor-advised fund. You can also split your payment and pay for just your auction items with your credit card and your donation another way. Just add it in the notes section.
Why did I get an email from Auction Harmony that shows a remaining balance?
After you check out, Auction Harmony sends an automated email with a receipt that shows your item(s) and/or donation as a "remaining balance." This is simply because your card (or other gift payment) won't be processed until Monday after the auction. So don't worry about it! You will receive an acknowledgment email from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity within two weeks of the event with your total tax-deductible portion from your auction items and/or donations.
How will I receive my auction items if I didn't attend the event?
Auction items will come with instructions on how to receive them. But it will likely be one of two methods:
If it's a certificate, you'll receive it in the mail.
If it's a larger item, there will be times for you to do curbside pickup from our headquarters in St. Paul. If you can't do curbside pickup, let us know and we'll figure out a solution.
Note: There are some items that cannot be shipped or delivered outside of the Twin Cities - these are noted in the auction descriptions.
What are the COVID-19 guidelines?
Following CDC guidance, vaccination and testing are not required but highly encouraged before attending. Masks will be optional for all guests, volunteers, and staff. If you are sick, isolating, or have had a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home (refer to our guidelines for more information). By attending the event, you attest that you understand and will abide by this policy.
If you have a question that wasn't answered, please email our events team!
Thank You to Our Gala Committee!
Co-Chairs Jim Mulrooney Laura Reed
Committee Tony Barranco Lindsay Cremona Laura Crosby Skip Durocher Krista Forsberg Carol Hollen Sharon Sayles Belton
Construction Couture
The signature element of the evening is the mix of formal wear and construction gear - construction couture! It’s the only party in town where guests can wear Carhartt and Versace in the same ensemble!
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