Get ready for Build-a-School Night 2026: 20 Years, A Million Learners!
If you plan to join us for Build-a-School Night, please see below for important event night information.
Date, Time & Location
Friday, April 24, 2026
Check-in begins at 6pm
The Grand Hall (entrance located off of McCrea Street)
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis-Downtown Union Station
294 S McCrea Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
View event location on Google Maps
NOTE: Parking in and around the Grand Hall is very challenging at the moment due to extensive construction and roadblocks. Please keep this in mind as you plan your route to the Grand Hall on Friday. Regardless of your parking choice, you must enter the Grand Hall on McCrea Street.
Event Schedule
6 pm | Check-in, cocktail hour & silent auction
7:30 pm | Welcome & dinner
8:30 pm | Program presentation
9 pm | Live auction & Fund a Need
Menu
Menu choices include:
Beef Entrée: Slow roasted boneless beef short rib with a red wine braising sauce (dairy free; gluten free)
Fish Entrée: 8 oz. grilled Atlantic salmon with mango and papaya salsa (dairy free; gluten free)
Vegan Entrée: Roasted half of acorn squash stuffed with wild rice and dried cherries
Parking/Arrival
Parking in and around the Grand Hall is very challenging at the moment due to extensive construction and roadblocks. Regardless of your parking choice, you must enter the Grand Hall on McCrea Street.
If you need assistance with parking/arrival, please email basn@buildingtomorrow.org.
Top recommendation: ride share
The absolute easiest way to access the Grand Hall and Build-a-School Night is to take a ride share, entering 294 McCrea Street as the drop-off point.
Next recommendation: park in a nearby garage or downtown street parking
There are several garages to choose from; see the map below with the location of the Grand Hall and convenient parking options nearby. We recommend the Union Station Garage and making your way on foot to 294 McCrea Street.
Union Station Garage parking Blue Garage parking World Wonders Garage parking
Least recommended option: valet park at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Valet parking at the Crowne Plaza hotel is available, but extremely limited and a bit tricky to find with the construction and road blockages.
- Unlike last year, the valet entrance is located off of Illinois Street, rather than Capitol Avenue.
- If you choose to have your car valeted, please enter The Whistle Stop Inn into your GPS to navigate you to the corner of South and Illinois Streets. Then, turn onto Illinois Street heading North. Please note: there is a lane of traffic open on the far left from South Street to Louisiana for Crowne Plaza traffic only.
- Please see the images below to help illustrate the directions.
Check-In
Festivities begin at 6 pm at the Grand Hall at Historic Union Station—entrance located off of McCrea Street (view on Google Maps). All guests are kindly asked to follow signs to check in upon arrival, beginning at 6pm. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction, with dinner starting at 7:30pm. Whether you are a guest of a table sponsor or you purchased tickets yourself, your name will be on our guest list (there is no need to show a ticket at the door). Complimentary coat check will be available as you enter the Grand Hall at Historic Union Station.
Please ensure you pick up a bidder paddle with your bidder number at check-in to use during the live auction and Fund a Need portions of the night.
Auctions
Silent Auction Live Auction Pre-RegisterPlease ensure you pick up a bidder paddle with your bidder number at check-in to use during the live auction and Fund a Need portions of the night.
You can pre-register for the auction by following the link above to our auction provider website and clicking My Account in the top right, then Login. Don't have a smartphone? We have volunteers and an auction software professional who will be available to assist you with bidding throughout the night. Payments for auction purchases may be made by credit card or check the evening of the event.
Make sure your phone has a full charge as all of our auction items are available for viewing and bidding on your smartphone! We have many new items for your bidding pleasure along with some returning favorites that you won't want to miss. Make sure you get ready for our fun live auction, too, by checking out our best lineup to date!
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions about Build-a-School Night 2026, please reach out to basn@buildingtomorrow.org. Thank you for supporting the work of Building Tomorrow, and we look forward to seeing you April 24!