Supporters of newly elected Mayor Barbara Lee have the chance to contribute to her upcoming inauguration celebration, with sponsorship opportunities ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 through the Oakland Inaugural Committee Fund 2025.
The celebratory event, scheduled for June 8 at Jack London Square, promises music, performances, influential speakers, and an inaugural ceremony. While the festivities are open to the public with free tickets, individuals and groups contributing to the fund will receive special benefits for their donations.
The independent committee is separate from Lee’s direct involvement and aims to raise funds for the celebration. For those able to make substantial contributions, a $100,000 sponsorship package named “It’s All Love in Oakland” offers 25 passes with reserved seating, recognition on event materials, and a reserved table at a private reception. Lower-tier packages, “One Oakland” and “Hella Proud,” are available for $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, providing similar perks.
For those interested in smaller contributions, the committee also allows donations ranging from $25 to $300, or even custom amounts. These can be set up as one-time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual payments, all eventually supporting the inaugural celebration and a citywide day of service taking place a day prior, on June 7.
The committee’s website states its effort is anchored in values like transparency, equity, and community engagement. It emphasizes that every dollar donated aids in shaping a bright future for Oakland, aiming to reflect a shift in the city’s narrative.
Stephanie Ong, a spokesperson for Barbara Lee, noted that alongside the public celebrations, a separate, invitation-only gathering will honor community members and sponsors who back the inauguration. Ong confirmed that the Mayor has been invited to participate in that exclusive event, though specifics about the guest list have not been disclosed.
The Oakland Inaugural Committee Fund, structured as a 501(c)(4), comes in the context of a broader tradition where inaugural funds serve not just as festive support, but also as potential avenues for interest groups and affluent individuals seeking to build rapport with elected officials. Unlike political committees, inaugural funds face fewer restrictions and regulatory requirements, attracting significant monetary investment.
So far, the committee has reported $56,215 raised from smaller donations, although higher-tier contributions have yet to materialize as interest has been noted, but no funds have been finalized in those categories. Ong also mentioned that a public list of contributors will be made available post-event once all donations are reconciled.
In response to inquiries regarding any restrictions on who can contribute to the fund, Ong indicated that the committee’s directors will make determinations in line with applicable laws and their fiduciary responsibilities. This process seems to be designed to encourage participation while adhering to legal frameworks.
Reflecting on past inaugural events, former Mayor Libby Schaaf had a committee named “Made In Oakland” that raised $88,000 for her inauguration in 2015. Similar to Lee’s current setup, Schaaf’s committee encountered scrutiny for not openly disclosing donor information upon requests from media sources. Schaaf later expressed her lack of knowledge regarding the committee’s funding sources but had placed a request to limit contributions to a maximum of $2,500 from any single donor within a year to prevent undue influence from businesses contracting with the city.
After Schaaf’s reelection in 2018, she organized a major gala that raised $3.25 million designated for initiatives like the Oakland Promise scholarship and Keep Oakland Housed. The event featured multiple prominent artists, showcasing how inauguration celebrations can evolve into significant fundraising occasions for community initiatives.
Current Mayor Sheng Thao, elected in 2022, conducted her inauguration without a dedicated committee funding her event, opting instead for her campaign committee to cover the related costs. This variation illustrates the different approaches to inaugural celebrations among Oakland’s recent mayors.
As Oakland gears up for its next chapter under Mayor Barbara Lee, the celebration’s fundraising efforts highlight not only a moment of joy but also a complex relationship between governance and community engagement, where every dollar plays an integral role in shaping the city’s future.
image source from：https://oaklandside.org/2025/06/03/oakland-mayor-barbara-lees-inaugural-fund-committee-is-raising-big-bucks/
