Members of the Austin Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) gathered on January 30 at Soho House Austin to kick-off the planning season for their signature fundraising event, Kappa Settings. The 22nd anniversary of this beloved biennial event will take place at Austin Country Club on April 8 and 9, 2026.
Kappa Settings is one of Austin's most anticipated community gatherings, hosted by the Austin Alumnae Association of KKG. The event celebrates design, creativity, and community, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for local designers, artists, and businesses to showcase their talents. Kappa Settings has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for numerous community partners, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central Texas, The Child Guidance Center, BookSpring Austin, The Breast Cancer Resource Center, and The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.
The 2026 Kappa Settings event co-chairs Sheridan Butler and Marianna Elskes welcomed attendees to the kick-off. They encouraged alumni members' involvement in the 15-month-long planning cycle required to orchestrate Kappa Settings. Lanette Smith, who first chaired the event in 1997, provided a history of Kappa Settings, highlighting its role as a true showcase of the extraordinary creativity of top local designers and businesses.
Austin KKG Alumnae President Acia Moody was also on hand to address the group; President-elect Jamie Winter-Johnson spoke to attendees about the task before the association, which she highlighted is “to expand and grow the mission for the funds that Kappa Settings, 2026 will raise.”
The KKG Alumni Association is making a meaningful impact in the community, and their efforts are being recognized. In 2024, Kappa Settings received a special award from NAMI Central Texas in recognition of their exceptional contributions to mental health advocacy and the invaluable support they provide to the organization. The award was presented to acknowledge Kappa Settings' consistent fundraising efforts and its role in raising awareness for mental health issues in the Austin community.
The official beneficiaries for Kappa Settings 2026 will be announced by the Association Board this coming spring. To learn more about Kappa Settings, one of Austin’s most beloved philanthropic traditions, visit www.kappasettings.com and follow them on Instagram for updates at @kappasettings.
