The latest from New York City Ballet ... Gabourey Sidibe ... United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

The New York City Ballet got a $2.4 million boost at its Spring gala on May 3.  About 800 people attended the event, which was held at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, according to a press release. Guests at the event included Ansel Elgort, Vanessa Williams, Olivia Palermo, Annaleigh Ashford, Cordelia Zanger, Joshua Bergasse, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Indre Rockefeller, Charlotte d’Amboise, Anna Deavere Smith, Nev Schulman, and others.

Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) got some love from the nonprofit Community Access on May 3. The organization awarded her its Mental Health Advocate of the Year award at its 44th annual Good Neighbor Gala, according to a press release. Fellow actor John Turturro served as honorary chair at the event, which brought more than 400 people to midtown Manhattan.

More than 450 got together in Poughkeepsie on April for a United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region event that raised $192,000. This is the fourth year that the nonprofit has held a dinner event to bring together supporters, business and nonprofit executive to mingle and learn about United Way, according to a press release.

Philanthropy News Digest has the details on upcoming research grants from the William T. Grant foundation. The foundation will award grants of up to $600,000 over two to three years to support research into reducing inequality in youth outcomes. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1.

Send your press releases, photos, and word of your latest happenings to reporter Zach Williams at zwilliams@nynmedia.com.