Our 2026 Annual Gala! Feb 28, 2026 6:30pm

Affordable Housing Champions!

Brookline Community Development Corporation celebrates the impact of affordable housing champions in our community and the need to do more. The gala will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 6:30 – 10 pm.

Brookline CDC wants to celebrate the significant contributions residents are making in solving real-world affordable housing problems, connecting communities, and improving peoples’ lives. Addressing Brookline’s housing needs is a task that extends beyond BCDC. It is a collaboration between community leaders, tenants, philanthropists, and all stakeholders who are striving to make affordable housing abundant in Brookline. The gala is our chance to say thank you and create a financial basis to do even more work.

The event will honor the award recipients for Brookline Community Development Corporation’s Achievement Award and the Brookline Community Development Corporation Housing Advocates Award.

2026 Gala Champions

Affordable Housing Champion
Michael Jacobs
Chair of the Commission, Brookline Housing Authority
Michael Jacobs has dedicated more than 45 years to the affordable housing field, with leadership roles spanning the Boston Housing Authority, Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, National Development, and his consulting practice, MHJ Associates. He has served on the Board of the Brookline Housing Authority for 25 years — including the last seven as Chair — helping lead the creation of 147 new affordable homes and the rehabilitation of another 300, while expanding critical resident services for seniors and families.

Community Engagement Champion
Nathan Peck
President, Kaplan Construction
As President of Kaplan Construction, Nathan Peck has been a trusted partner to Brookline CDC on complex preservation and renovation initiatives. From detailed cost estimating to site evaluations and strategic construction guidance, Nathan’s collaboration has helped advance critical affordable housing projects and navigate unforeseen challenges.

Volunteer Champion
Laura Bradford
Teacher and Community Activist
Laura Bradford exemplifies grassroots community leadership. Through organizing the annual holiday gift drive, supporting tenants one-on-one, and connecting residents to essential services, she has strengthened community bonds and uplifted neighbors in need across Brookline.

How will your donations be used?

• BCDC will continue to support residents in need of emergency rental assistance funds by providing upwards of $5,000 per family who meet the program guidelines.
• Rehabilitate and Decarbonize our existing affordable housing developments. We want to ensure that our housing is both high quality for the residents and is exemplary in environmental sustainability. Deep energy retrofit renovations at both of our properties are underway.
• Continue to aggressively pursue opportunities to develop new affordable housing in Brookline, especially for families.
• Increase access to homeownership for low and moderate-income residents of Brookline with education and a closing cost assistance program.
• Advocate for policies at the local and state level that can create new opportunities for affordable housing and ensure that the voices of renters are heard as these policies are debated and considered.

Donations of more than $1000 qualify for Community Investment Tax Credits. Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) donations provide you with a 50% tax credit through the State of Massachusetts, even if you do not owe any income taxes. That means that you or your company can make a $1,000 impact on the BCDC while only spending $500. Learn more about the CITC. For questions, contact Robert at finance@brooklinecdc.com. 

Enjoy photos from:
2024 Gala | 2023 Gala