DIGITAL CITIZEN FUND × SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY

Degrees Beyond Borders Gala

To benefit the Afghan Girls’ Higher Education Initiative

An evening supporting 25 Afghan girls pursuing an accredited U.S. degree from inside Afghanistan.

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Venue: Duncan Family Sky Room · Saint Peter’s University
Address: 47 Glenwood Avenue, Jersey City
Cocktails: 7:00–8:00 PM
Dinner, Silent Auction & Program: 8:00 PM
Attire: Black Tie

Online Education

THE PROGRAM

WHY DCF

THE EVENING

Gala Ticket

Tables & Sponsorships

A DEGREE. A FUTURE. A LIFE RECLAIMED.

An accredited U.S. degree, earned from inside Afghanistan.

The Degrees Beyond Borders Gala supports the first cohort of 25 Afghan girls pursuing an online Associate of Science in Business Management at Saint Peter’s University.

At a time when girls and women in Afghanistan have been denied access to formal secondary and university education, this program creates a new pathway to continue learning and build toward economic independence.

25

Girls in the first cohort

$100K

Initial funding goal

2026

First cohort enrolls

Every dollar raised beyond our initial goal will help DCF expand this opportunity and support even more girls.

THE PROGRAM

A degree designed to cross borders.

Through DCF’s partnership with Saint Peter’s University, students will enroll in an Associate of Science in Business Management and study entirely online from Afghanistan.

Coursework includes entrepreneurship, finance, management and leadership, building skills that can create pathways to income and independence.

DCF leads student intake and support, drawing on more than a decade of trusted networks and programming inside Afghanistan to help students through enrollment, connectivity and completion.

Credential
Associate of Science, Business Management

Format
100% online, accessible from Afghanistan

Cohort
25 Afghan girls

Funding Goal
$100,000 covers full tuition

Women’s Entrepreneurship

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Women’s Entrepreneurship

Give an Afghan woman the tools to start a business, and you're giving her agency, dignity, and the confidence that she can still shape her own future.

With an initial investment from the Neuberger Berman Foundation, DCF created a financial literacy program to help young Afghan women manage both personal and business finances. Building on this foundation, DCF now pairs training in accounting, market analysis, and entrepreneurship with micro-loans and small grants to help women launch or scale small businesses.

This support helps women turn their ideas into sustainable livelihoods, demonstrating DCF’s core belief: when women are trusted with tools and responsibility, they become creators of solutions, not recipients of aid.

WHY DCF

More than a decade of opening doors for Afghan girls.

Founded in 2013, the Digital Citizen Fund expands access to STEAM education, digital and financial literacy, entrepreneurship and economic opportunity for women and girls.

Through its work, DCF has served more than 28,000 students and incubated more than 100 women-led startups, creating pathways for Afghan girls to build skills, confidence and economic independence.

28K+ Students Served
100+ Startups Incubated
10+ Years in Country

THE EVENING

An Evening Beyond Borders

Join us for an evening bringing together friends, partners and supporters committed to expanding access to higher education for Afghan girls.

7:00–8:00 PM
Cocktail Reception

8:00 PM
Dinner, Silent Auction & Program

Black Tie

Roya Mahboob

Co-Founder & CEO, Digital Citizen Fund

With the support of members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Gala Committee

Lauren Alemany · Susan Arndt · Meredith Burns · Brandy Garrett-Kluthe · Rosanne Panepinto Taufield · Jerry Taufield · Olivia Holt-Ivry · Elizabeth Kornstein · Elaha Mahboob

Reserve Your Seat

Gala Ticket

$165 Single
$300 Couple

Includes seated dinner, entertainment, cocktail hour, exclusive gift bag and access to the silent auction.

10% Early Bird Discount · Limited Availability

After-Party Only

$50 Single
$90 Couple

Includes cocktail hour, dancing and DJ.

Tables & Sponsorships

Every sponsorship funds full degrees for Afghan girls.

TABLE · $5,000

Funds one girl’s degree and internet package

One table for 8 guests

· Logo on table signage

· Two tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

CANDLE · $10,000

Funds two girls’ degrees

One table for 8 guests

· Two tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Logo on event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

LANTERN · $15,000

Funds three girls’ degrees

One table for 8 guests

· Three tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Logo on step-and-repeat, event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

BEACON · $25,000

Funds six girls’ degrees

One table for 8 guests with preferred placement

· Four tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Podium recognition

· Logo on stage screen, step-and-repeat, event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

· Invitation to the virtual graduation of Afghan scholars

PRESENTING SPONSOR · $50,000

Funds twelve girls’ degrees

Two VIP tables for 16 guests total with premier placement

· Name recognition in the event title and promotional materials

· Logo on stage screen, step-and-repeat, event materials, signage and digital invitation

· Five tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Speaking opportunity at the gala

· Speaking opportunity at the virtual graduation of Afghan scholars

· Recognition in social media mentions

· Opportunity to include promotional materials in guest gift bags

AN EXCLUSIVE RULE BREAKERS EXPERIENCE

Select sponsorship packages include invitations to a VIP screening of the feature film Rule Breakers in 2027 at Art House Productions in Jersey City.

SILENT AUCTION

The Degrees Beyond Borders Ball will feature a silent auction benefiting the Afghan Girls’ Higher Education Initiative.

Auction items coming soon.

CAN’T ATTEND?

You can still help make a degree possible.

Every contribution supports DCF’s work to create new pathways to higher education for Afghan girls.

Every sponsorship funds full degrees for Afghan girls.

TABLE · $5,000

Funds one girl’s full degree and internet package

One table for 8 guests

· Logo on table signage

· Two tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

CANDLE · $10,000

Funds two girls’ full degrees

One table for 8 guests

· Two tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Logo on event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

LANTERN · $15,000

Funds three girls’ full degrees

One table for 8 guests

· Three tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Logo on step-and-repeat, event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

BEACON · $25,000

Funds six girls’ full degrees

One table for 8 guests with preferred placement

· Four tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Podium recognition

· Logo on stage screen, step-and-repeat, event materials and signage

· Recognition in social media mentions

· Invitation to the virtual graduation of Afghan scholars

PRESENTING SPONSOR · $50,000

Funds twelve girls’ full degrees

Two VIP tables for 16 guests total with premier placement

· Name recognition in the event title and promotional materials

· Logo on stage screen, step-and-repeat, event materials, signage and digital invitation

· Five tickets to the VIP screening of Rule Breakers

· Speaking opportunity at the gala

· Speaking opportunity at the virtual graduation of Afghan scholars

· Recognition in social media mentions

· Opportunity to include promotional materials in guest gift bags

SILENT AUCTION

Bid for a Cause

The Degrees Beyond Borders Ball will feature a silent auction benefiting the Afghan Girls’ Higher Education Initiative.

Auction items coming soon.

Make your impact today

The Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your tax-deductible donation helps women and girls gain access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education, technology, and entrepreneurship skills—helping them achieve financial independence in Afghanistan and beyond. Every gift makes a real impact.

DCF is eligible to receive Donor Advised Funds. Find us using our EIN: 46-2740889

Make your impact today

DCF is eligible to receive Donor Advised Funds. Find us using our EIN: 46-2740889

Make your impact today

DCF is eligible to receive Donor Advised Funds. Find us using our EIN: 46-2740889