Dress for Success Columbus is set to throw its biggest annual gala yet on September 18, when the nonprofit's Dine. Drink. Dress. fundraiser takes over COSI at 333 West Broad Street for an evening billed as an all-black-attire celebration of what organizers are calling the Evolution. Tickets run $125, and the night includes chef-inspired food stations, an editorial fashion runway, live entertainment, curated gift bags, and an after-party. Beyond the glitz, organizers say the event will include a major announcement about the organization's next chapter.
According to Columbus Underground, the September 18 gala at COSI runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is framed as Dress for Success Columbus's biggest D3 event yet, celebrating what the organization describes as the evolution of women, work, and empowerment. The outlet reports the nonprofit is entering a bold new chapter, though specifics of that announcement have not been detailed publicly ahead of the event.
The gala's programming, including the chef stations, runway presentation, entertainment, gift bags, and after-party, was outlined by event platform OneCause, which notes D3 serves as the nonprofit's flagship annual fundraiser combining fashion, networking, and social impact. Organizers have also set All Black Attire as the official dress code for the evening, a choice tied to the runway presentation and the Evolution theme, per the organization's own event promotion.
A Chapter Rooted in Nearly Two Decades of Local Work
Dress for Success Columbus was founded in 2007 by Vicki Bowen Hewes, who left a career in corporate real estate after volunteering at an Indianapolis affiliate to build a Central Ohio chapter, according to Wardrobe Therapy. Bowen Hewes led the organization for 12 years before transitioning leadership in 2018. Today the chapter is led by Executive Director Habiba K. Bankston, who previously directed corporate philanthropy at the L Brands Foundation and donor relations at The Ohio State University, per the Benefactor Group.
The organization serves roughly 1,500 to 2,000 clients annually, ranging in age from 14 to 80, providing workplace attire and career resources to women facing challenges such as domestic violence, homelessness, or past incarceration. That figure comes from Columbus College of Art & Design, which notes women reach the nonprofit either through partner social service agencies or by referring themselves directly. Volunteer power underpins much of that work: in 2024, more than 500 volunteers logged over 6,600 service hours assisting with client styling appointments, career center coaching, and warehouse logistics, according to the organization's own volunteer program page.
Growing Civic and Philanthropic Backing
The D3 gala's expanding footprint mirrors rising institutional support for the nonprofit. This year, Dress for Success Columbus was named one of five Nonprofits to Watch by The Columbus Foundation, receiving an unrestricted $20,000 grant to support its workforce development programs, an honor the foundation says recognizes Central Ohio nonprofits demonstrating strong leadership and community impact. The city has also backed the organization directly: in 2023, Columbus City Council authorized a formal grant agreement with Dress for Success Columbus to support organizational and program expansion in Central Ohio, according to city legislative records.
The gala itself has grown alongside that support. D3 previously filled the Greater Columbus Convention Center in July 2025, an event that featured local fashion showcases, guest speakers, and a fundraising silent auction, according to the nonprofit's own event history. This year's move to COSI, paired with organizers' description of it as the group's biggest D3 yet, continues that upward trajectory.
A Global Rebrand Behind the Local Theme
The Evolution theme running through this year's gala traces back to a larger organizational shift. Dress for Success Worldwide launched a global brand refresh titled Success Starts Now in February 2026, prompting local chapters, including Columbus, to adopt updated visual branding and logo identities, according to PR Newswire. The international parent organization supports more than 130 affiliate members across 15 countries, giving the Columbus chapter's rebrand a global backdrop even as its programming stays rooted in local service delivery.
What exactly the September 18 announcement will reveal remains unclear. Columbus Underground's coverage frames it only as a major announcement about the organization's next chapter, without further detail on whether it involves facility changes, new programming, or expanded partnerships. Attendees at COSI that evening will be among the first to find out.
