Human Needs Project Annual Benefit 2026: Over $600K Raised for Kibera
We’re still smiling about our 2026 Annual Benefit! On Thursday, October 15, friends of the Human Needs Project came together at Terra Gallery in San Francisco to support our work at the HNP Kibera Centre in Nairobi. Together, we raised over $600,000 — more than 80% of our $750,000 goal!
Thank you to everyone who joined us, donated and helped bring the evening together. It was wonderful to celebrate with so many friends of HNP and share the work you’re making possible in Kibera.
Our 2026 Impact
Here is what we accomplished last year with your support:
Highlights from the Human Needs Project Annual Benefit
A Cake Disguised as a Basket of Vegetables
We auctioned off a cake disguised as a basket of vegetables! Our hyperrealistic cake celebrated HNP’s hydroponic gardens, which help feed 29,000 children in Kibera. A sweet way to support the work — and happy birthday, Jake! :)
Bringing Kibera to San Francisco
If we can’t all go to Kibera, we’ll bring Kibera to you! Stella and Byrones from our team joined us live to show us around the HNP Kibera Centre as their day began and tell us about the impact they’ve created this year.
The Music
Baba Ken Okulolo and the Nigerian Brothers got the evening started, and Jason Crosby accompanied dinner on piano.
Hearing from Our Founders, Connie Nielsen & David Warner
Another highlight was hearing from our founders, Connie Nielsen and David Warner, and welcoming California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, who shared updates on the growing collaboration between California and Africa.
Our Mini African-California Market
A big thank-you to our vendors Duafe Designs, YEMA, Esosi, CAST Jewelry, Norman Woods Jewelry and Fuladou Arts Imports, for creating an amazing atmosphere and making the reception feel so special! 20% of proceeds were donated to HNP.
And of course, our biggest highlight was our guests!
Thank you to everyone who came to connect, celebrate and support our work.
A special thank-you to our founders and board members — Connie Nielsen, David Warner, Tom Henrich, Hon. Ann Claire Williams, Mikkel Vestergaard, Jill Reber Hamer, Henrik Jones, John Gage, Hitesh Shah, Daniel Kammen, Marcelo de Andrade, Susan Sarandon and Gloriana Mejia-Gund — for your leadership, generosity and dedication to HNP.
Help Us Reach Our $750,000 Goal
The evening may be over, but the work continues. Your support helps our team in Kibera provide clean water, sanitation, education, fresh food and opportunities to earn a living.
Help us reach our $750,000 goal and bring these services and opportunities to more people. Every gift brings us closer!
With gratitude,
Human Needs Project Team
![2026 ANNUAL BENEFIT [PHOTO ALBUM]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e108a2_f978cf36b6ae4dc9a048d62b30d7f0a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e108a2_f978cf36b6ae4dc9a048d62b30d7f0a2~mv2.jpg)
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