BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Boca Raton Museum of Art’s executive director, Irvin Lippman, announced two major philanthropic milestones at the museum’s 70th anniversary Gala on Jan. 25. The first announcement was the $1 million contribution by the Gala’s honorary chairs, Jody Harrison Grass and her husband Martin Grass, to benefit the museum’s education initiatives. Jody is the chair of the museum’s board of trustees.

The second announcement was that more than $630,000 was raised during the gala, the highest amount the museum has ever raised in its 70-year history at a gala event.

The event was also co-chaired by Stacey and Evan Packer, Carrie Rubin, and John Tolbert.

The funds raised during the gala were thanks to record-setting sponsorships and a live auction. This year’s event also featured a special “Gift from the Heart” call-to-action that encouraged guests to donate in honor of the museum’s 70th anniversary – kicked off with Lippman’s announcement of the $1 million donation by Jody Harrison Grass and Martin Grass, and their children Leila, Sharla, and Noah.

“These two philanthropic milestones represent the generosity of Boca Raton, and the personal commitment to the museum’s trajectory of making a difference for the community,” said Irvin Lippman, the executive director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. “The Museum is honored to receive such a groundswell of support for our new programs.”

The museum’s 70th Anniversary Education Fund has refocused the orientation of the building, bringing the new Education Center space front and center as the cornerstone of both the building and the museum’s mission.

The Museum’s Gala Dinner and Dance is one of Boca Raton’s most highly anticipated fundraisers of the season.

Four hundred of the community’s leading philanthropists, collectors and business leaders attended at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.