The Women's Mentoring Network holds its annual fundraiser at Indian Harbor Yacht Club on Thursday, Sept. 17. The "Celebrating Our Mentors" gala aims to raise money for free career-skills and mentoring programs that the Stamford-based nonprofit says serve nearly 1,000 women a year.

The evening runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the club, 710 Steamboat Rd. It includes dinner, networking, raffle prizes and live music from Mesha Steele, according to the event's Eventbrite listing.

Mentors and mentees will speak about their experiences in the program.

Executive Director Lana Gifas said the need for the organization's work is growing. "As women continue to struggle in low-paying jobs, demand for these connections continues to rise, and expanding access to mentorship and career support has never been more important," Gifas said in the event announcement.

Donations made on Sept. 17 are eligible for a $25,000 matching challenge, according to the Eventbrite listing. The matching donor has not been publicly identified.

A Stamford nonprofit serving the region

Founded in 1990 by Paige Oristano and Louise Moss, the Women's Mentoring Network is headquartered in Stamford and offers services across Connecticut and New York. All programs are free, according to the organization's website. They include one-on-one mentoring, life-skills workshops, professional certifications and financial literacy training.

The organization highlighted one long-running success story in a Sept. 3 LinkedIn post: Rebecca, who connected with mentors Martha and Louise through the network 30 years ago, went on to become a school counselor and eventually a mentor herself.

Gifas said in a July LinkedIn post that the organization serves nearly 1,000 women annually through mentorship and professional certifications.

How to attend

Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Ticket prices were not listed in available materials. For sponsorship information, contact Gifas at [email protected] or (203) 348-3828.