Culture, conservation, and capital: The NAT Gala transforms philanthropy

On the 20th September, British creative agencies INCA Productions and Sunshine partnered with THE NAT to deliver the second annual NAT Gala.

Marking the launch of Climate Week NYC, the agencies transformed a stark subterranean space into an immersive "Ways of Water" experience for 300 global leaders across finance, culture, and conservation.

Founded by Gail Gallie, THE NAT is a pioneering cultural movement designed to reframe nature as a global priority.

The platform's overarching mission is to merge the culture, conservation, and capital needed to close the world's $710 billion nature finance gap. Following the inaugural 2025 premiere, which featured notable guests including Billie Eilish, Jane Fonda, and Stella McCartney, this marks the second consecutive year INCA Productions and Sunshine have delivered the Gala.

Gail Gallie, founder of THE NAT, said: "We didn’t just want to deliver another glamorous fundraiser."

"We had to build the most influential room. By putting nature at the intersection of music, fashion, and art, we are transforming environmental action from a guilt-driven obligation into a culturally contagious movement that the world's most powerful people actually want to participate in."

The ambition for the 2026 edition of THE NAT Gala was built on a collaborative agency delivery model, bringing together Sunshine’s brand strategy and cultural positioning with INCA’s experiential mastery. Co-led by creative director Charlotte Clark (INCA) and founder and chairman Al MacCuish (Sunshine), the initiative also featured Nathan Prince of Studio Prince as the creative collaborator behind the event's film and spoken-word content.

Sunshine established the narrative architecture, approaching the environmental crisis by positioning nature as the ultimate cultural currency. INCA then translated this vision into spatial reality: set within a stark concrete space where guests navigated around a central open-air fountain. The event was designed to behave like water; fluid, ever-changing, and unpredictable. The minimalist approach moved guests between energy and stillness, intimacy and spectacle, reflection and release.

Through spoken word, scientific presentation, and AV, the event incorporated the "Science of Optimism," highlighting the proven reality that when given space, time, and finance, nature’s cyclical regeneration works to restore vital biodiversity.

Charlotte Clark, creative director, INCA Productions said: ”We went right back to the first principles of what a fundraiser should be. To raise funds effectively in this climate, you have to touch people deeply. We ripped up the format of what an event 'should' be. This project was fundamentally about the format, the flow, and connecting people in the most profound way to The NAT’s mission."

Al MacCuish, founder and chairman, Sunshine said: "THE NAT is about getting nature noticed. Drawing attention to unfamiliar, topical, relatable narratives hiding in plain sight. This year’s theme focuses on the extraordinary, fundamental relationship we have with water: oceans, rivers and seas. Out of the chaos that characterises modern life, there is actually a great deal to be hopeful for, to learn about and act on. The Gala in NYC is our second global moment bringing together collective energy for nature. Partnering with INCA to completely rewrite the event experience, we’re proving it’s possible to present nature in surprising, culturally rich and deeply immersive ways”

Measurable impact

In line with INCA’s rigorous commitment to transparency and sustainable production, all elements of the event were strictly selected based on circular design principles. Every operational aspect of the gala was tracked, monitored, and meticulously reported post-event to guarantee zero greenwashing.

The funds raised will be channelled directly into flagship initiatives in partnership with Conservation International, driving capital toward coral reef renewal, climate regulation, animal conservation, wetland restoration, and human-water interdependence.

The event’s execution was supported by generous partnerships and sponsors, including ServiceNow, L'Oréal Groupe, Groundswell, Open Planet, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Spotify, the Walton Family Foundation, Starbucks, and the Blue Marine Foundation.