Welcome back to the Sunstone Way.
This year’s Irvine Dream Run is on May 9, and we want you to be a part of it.
But wait. The run is still more than a month away. Why talk about it now?
Play A Role
I want you to be a part of something that benefits many and makes you feel good at the same time. Come to think of it, benefiting many usually makes us feel good, doesn’t it?
My point is that the Irvine Dream Run is a fundraiser for the Sunstone Community Fund – our donor-advised nonprofit agency dedicated to helping startup founders, students and community efforts. That happens through support of university programs, accelerators like the Long Beach Accelerator and sponsorships of community initiatives that make a difference.
Our founder John Shen and his wife Stella Zhang started the Community Fund with a donation/investment in 2022 and financial reports show it has grown ever since. I stress the investment component because that’s exactly what a donation to SCF is – while not expecting a return, donors are investing in lives and communities to make them better.
Sponsorships Matter
To become a major player in this endeavor (think of the starters on one of the Final Four basketball teams playing this week), you can help make sure the Dream Run takes place by being a sponsor.
We’re putting our money where our mouth is literally. Both Sunstone Investment Group and American Lending Center Holdings Inc. are sponsoring the Dream Run at the Platinum level.
But we’re only a couple of players. To win it all, the Irvine Dream Run needs some more starters – and maybe even a superstar or two. And I’ll guarantee that it’s a lot easier to join this team than it is to start for the Duke Blue Devils!
Oh, and as an added bonus, all sponsors get a space at the Expo after the 5K to talk about what you do to all those runners and other attendees.
Drop Jayro Sandoval, Economic Development Manager at Sunstone Cities, a line at Jayro.sandoval@sunstonecities.com to start the process. There is still time to get your company name on the race T-shirt, sponsor banner and the like, but the window is closing.
Get Some Exercise
I’m known as a bit of a nag when it comes to exercising and staying in shape. It is a part of my daily routine.
So naturally I’ll have my running shoes on for the Dream Run. I’d like to see you running next to me. Or if you want to jog, that counts. Heck, even a walk is good exercise!
Participating on the day of the event is joining the team too. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your helping young entrepreneurs through the Community Fund and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people in a wide-open natural setting at the Great Park.
We call that creating community – and that’s just as good a reason to host the Irvine Dream Run as is raising money for the Community Fund.
Ticking Clock
As I said, there is still a bit more than a month before the Dream Run. But have you noticed have fast the first three months of 2026 have flown by?
There’s still time to take advantage of group rates, and you can add a fun bundle of sunglasses and a bandana while supplies last. In order to make sure you get the right size of the iconic race shirt, get registered by April 27. You can sign up for the 5K, the 3K or both, if you’re really looking to stretch your legs.
This is the third Irvine Dream Run, and early signups show it is expected to draw more runners than ever. It will be a great morning – Saturday in the Park!
We’ll be having a good time and helping a good cause. Now that’s really the Sunstone Way! And remember, always be a Sunstone.
John Keisler
CEO & Managing Partner
Sunstone
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Sunstone Investment Group, headquartered in Southern California, is the holding company for the Sunstone family of entities, including: Sunstone Investment Management Services, responsible for administrative services; Sunstone Advisors, an SEC-registered investment adviser, which oversees Sunstone Venture Partners LLC, a private capital fund manager; Sunstone Cities, a government economic development consulting firm; and Sunstone Community Fund, a charitable organization that supports entrepreneurship. Sunstone is dedicated to enriching lives through investment, entrepreneurship, and community. Email us at contact@sunstoneinvestment.com.
©Sunstone, 2026