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Our mission is to preserve, promote, and propel the right of all people to a place where they can live and prosper—a place to call home.

    A Place to Call Home

    Save the date banner for A Place to Call Home gala 2026

    An evening of joy and generosity

    Save the date

    A Place to Call Home Gala
    April 23, 2026
    5:30–9 pm

    Honoring
    Matthew Desmond
    Jackie Taylor
    Denis Pierce

    Co-chairs
    Liz Thompson
    Mirja Spooner Haffner
    Francine Washington

    Location
    Bridgeport Art Center
    1200 W. 35th Street
    Chicago, Illinois 60609

    The National Public Housing Museum’s biennial A Place to Call Home gala is returning in 2026!

    Join us as we honor Matthew Desmond, Jackie Taylor, and Denis Pierce and celebrate the Museum’s first full year as a civic anchor and cultural home on Chicago’s Near West Side.

    This event raises funds to sustain the National Public Housing Museum’s groundbreaking work. It brings together civic and cultural luminaries, artists, corporate leaders, and the public housing community for an unforgettable evening of joy and generosity.

    Honoring

    Demand the Impossible Awardee
    Matthew Desmond
    author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City and Poverty, by America

    Power of Place Awardee
    Jackie Taylor
    actress, founder and CEO of Black Ensemble Theater
    former Cabrini-Green resident

    Civic Love Awardee
    Denis Pierce
    philanthropist and housing advocate

    Host committee

    To join the host committee of the 2026 A Place to Call Home Gala, please contact Colleen McGaughey, director of development, at [email protected].

    • Frederick Bates and Ellen Benjamin
    • Deborah Bennett
    • Michelle Boone
    • Penny Brown and Jeff Rappin
    • Liz Butler
    • Jean Butzen and Jim Strickler
    • Sunny and Paul Fischer
    • Kim Foxx
    • Joan and Guy Gunzberg
    • Mike Gurgone
    • Mirja Spooner Haffner
    • Tom and Nancy Hanson
    • Julie and Patrick Hoffmann
    • Brad Hunt
    • Avi and Karen Lothan
    • Marisa Novara
    • Heather Parish
    • Denis and Martha Pierce
    • Liz Thompson
    • Francine Washington

    As of January 23, 2026, committee in formation

    Become a sponsor

    To learn more or to become a sponsor of the 2026 A Place to Call Home Gala, please contact Colleen McGaughey, director of development, at [email protected].

    Presenting Sponsor: $40,000

    VIP table for 10; verbal and digital name recognition at the event; prominent name or logo on event communications, invitations, and website; dedicated social media post; special gift from the Museum Store, use of museum space for an event

    Propel Sponsor: $25,000

    Priority table for 10; verbal and digital name recognition at the event; featured name or logo event communications, invitations, and website; special gift from the Museum Store; private curator-led tour

    Promote Sponsor: $10,000

    Table for 10; digital name recognition at the event; name or logo on event communications, invitations, and website, private curator-led tour

    Preserve Sponsor: $5,000

    Table for 10; digital name recognition at the event; name or logo on event communications, invitations, and website

    Host: $2,500

    Seating for 2; digital name recognition at the event; name on event communications and website