Celebrate Camaraderie and Community Spirit at Our Uniquely Vibrant Mayors’ Gala

Housing Affordability Takes Center Stage at This Year’s Signature Event

United Way Broward’s annual Mayors’ Gala is one of our community’s signature civic gatherings — an evening bringing together philanthropists, donors, elected officials, business leaders, corporate partners, and all people who care deeply about the future of Broward. It is a celebration of community strength, shared purpose, and collective power.

This year’s gala arrives at a moment when Broward County is facing a complex, acute challenge affecting millions of families, seniors, young professionals, and essential workers across South Florida: the rising cost of housing. This year’s event will focus on this extensive challenge and the ways we can accelerate the resources to fortify long-term stability.

Every year, proceeds raised during the Mayors’ Gala support more than 130 programs United Way Broward operates and funds. These programs strengthen health, education, financial stability, comprehensive support for Veterans, crisis response, and more. These programs support the foundations of Broward County, and the Mayors’ Gala fuels the expansion of these programs.

In Broward County and all of Florida, housing affordability has become possibly the most pressing challenge.

• 2.4 + million lower-income households in Florida spend over 30% of their income on housing

• 1.3 million lower-income households in Florida spend over 50% of their income on housing

• nearly 31,000 individuals in Florida experience homelessness on any given night

• no community in Florida provides enough housing to support extremely low-income renters

Escalating costs have placed strain on families, older adults, and workers. The facts show many people are spending large shares of their incomes on housing, and little room is left for savings, healthcare, transportation, or unexpected expenses. Seniors on fixed incomes face increasing pressure, and many young adults struggle to establish stability.

This issue of housing affordability affects:

• teachers, nurses, and first responders

• parents working multiple jobs

• seniors striving to maintain independence

• Veterans rebuilding their lives

• young adults trying to stay in the community where they grew up

But there is hope. Across Florida, public, private, and nonprofit partners, including your United Way, are working together to address housing needs. United Way Broward is committed to addressing this challenge through partnerships, advocacy, and targeted investments.

The Mayors’ Gala will strengthen our work by generating resources to support housing-stability programs, financial-coaching service, emergency assistance, and long‑term strategies to expand access for tens of thousands of people to attain housing stability.

By joining us at this year’s event, you will be contributing to a better Broward for all who live here as well as enjoy a vibrant, energizing evening with a dynamic program, lively entertainment, and the chance to connect with people who are shaping Broward’s future. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of momentum. It is an evening where conversations create new partnerships and where our collective power is palpable.

Attendees will experience:

• a polished, high‑energy program highlighting community achievements

• opportunities to meet leaders from across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors

• a festive environment encouraging conversation and new connections

• a celebration of people and organizations working every day to strengthen Broward County

The gala blends purpose with enjoyment, creating a space where people like you can engage deeply with issues that matter most while enjoying a uniquely memorable evening. It also sends a clear message about how our united community is addressing housing affordability with strategic, disciplined, and coordinated efforts.

The gala is your way to stand with neighbors, colleagues, and leaders who share a commitment to building a county where people can rise and thrive. You can help advance:

• stability for families working toward financial security

• support for seniors navigating rising costs 

• services for Veterans rebuilding foundations for well-being

• resources for individuals facing housing uncertainty

• community‑wide strategies strengthening Broward’s future

United Way Broward’s mission is to mobilize our community to action so all can thrive. True to our founding spirit, wherever there is a need, United Way Broward is there. The Mayors’ Gala is an illustration of this mission, and this year’s focus on housing affordability underscores the urgency and power of collective action.

The health, safety, and well-being of Broward’s residents rely on ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing for all households, including working families, older adults, people with disabilities who are living on fixed incomes, and more.