The Naperville nonprofit that has helped 75 veterans launch businesses in four years is gearing up for its third annual fundraising gala.

The Veteran Business Project (VBP) hosts the Valor to Venture gala from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Hotel Arista, 2139 CityGate Lane, in Naperville's CityGate Centre. Tickets cost $300 each or $2,700 for a table of 10, according to CityGate Centre.

The evening will honor John P. Calamos Sr., founder and chairman of Calamos Investments, with VBP's inaugural YET (You've Earned This) Award. Calamos, a Vietnam War veteran, recorded more than 400 combat missions as a U.S. Air Force forward air controller and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He developed CityGate Centre and housed VBP's headquarters in the Calamos Investments building when the nonprofit relocated there in 2025.

Fox News Network's Mike Tobin will emcee.

The schedule includes a cocktail hour where guests can meet VBP-supported veteran business owners, a plated dinner, a live auction led by professional auctioneer David Goodman and a raffle featuring authentic, battle-carried World War II knives.

Gala proceeds will fund new and expanding programs, including a PTSD mental health initiative under development with the University of Chicago and the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) of DuPage County. Details on the program's scope and timeline have not been released.

VBP was founded about 14 years ago by Vietnam Marine Lynn Lowder, who serves as CEO, and local restaurateur and business coach Dale Eisenberg, who serves as president. The nonprofit describes itself as the only boots-on-the-ground organization working one-on-one with veterans and military spouses to reach business ownership.

"Veterans deserve more than gratitude – they deserve real ownership opportunities that create an atmosphere of hope for themselves and service to their community," Lowder said in a statement on the CityGate Centre site.

VBP has also formalized partnerships with College of DuPage and Innovation DuPage and established a Veteran Training Institute operating out of Rosie's Home Cookin', a CityGate Centre diner VBP owns. All of Rosie's profits go to the nonprofit. Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli cut the ribbon at Rosie's opening in March, writing on X that the restaurant creates opportunities for veterans and military spouses.

Sponsorship packages, which include event tickets, are also available. Residents can visit veteranbusinessproject.org for ticket and sponsorship information.