The Taste 2026

Sponsor The Taste

Sponsorships include tickets to The Taste, 2 drink tickets per guest, and recognition listed below. The sponsorship deadline is February 21, 2026.

$7,500 - Top Shelf - Title Sponsor
- Includes 30 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Premier logo recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

$5,000 - Cream of the Crop
- Includes 20 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Logo recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

$3,000 - Meat & Potatoes
- Includes 10 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Logo recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

$1,500 - Bread & Butter
- Includes 8 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Logo recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

$750 - Icing on the Cake
- Includes 4 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Logo recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

$300 - Cherry on Top
- Includes 2 event tickets & 2 drink tickets per guest
- Name recognition on invitation, event signage, REF website and social media

The sponsorship deadline is February 21, 2026

The Taste 2025 was a smashing success!

Thank you to all who attended The Taste! Through the generosity of our event sponsors and community members who participated in the live auction and paddle raise, the Rockford Education Foundation raised $226,000 for education at The Taste. We thank the restaurants for their invaluable support and delicious food donations as well as The Gilmore for hosting our event. We appreciate the individuals and local businesses who donated to the live auction to help raise funds for education.

Through the collaborative contributions of sponsors, restaurants, donors and attendees, we are making a significant impact on education in our community. The funds raised will go towards educational opportunities and programs to support students in our schools.

The Taste Impact Video

Rockford Public Schools and The Rockford Education Foundation is committed to serving the whole child. Every student deserves to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Through our our School Resource Officers, Mental Health Liaisons, Trails Curriculum, and the School Assistance Program, students and families have the resources they need to succeed in Rockford. Watch the video below to learn about what we are doing to help students learn and grow academically and emotionally and how The Rockford Education Foundation supports these initiatives.

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

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Sponsorship Amount

$7,500 Top Shelf
$5,000 Cream of the Crop
$3,000 Meat & Potatoes
$1,500 Bread & Butter
$750 Icing on the Cake
$300 Cherry on Top

Name of Donor

First Name *

Last Name *

Photos from The Taste 2025

Company Name

Last Name

2024 Taste Event Photos

Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Auctioneer, Jason Lamoreaux and REF Trustee & Vice Chairperson, Bob Wells
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee and Chairperson Tim Breadon & Sponsor, The Breadon Group
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Executive Director, Beth Meyer-Kraff
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Sugar Bar
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Bier Distillery
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Score
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee, Margaret Becker
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
DJ WhitneyWho
Image credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
F'nK Tacos
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Gilmore
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Sugar Bar
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Herman's Boy
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
The Score
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Cedar Springs Brewing
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Third Nature
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Uccello's
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
REF Trustee & Vice Chairperson, Bob Wells
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Image Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography
Photo Credit: Emily Zoladz Photography