Framing the Future 2026

FRAMING THE FUTURE GALA

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Cocktail Hour: 5:30 |  Show time: 6:30  |  Dinner: 7:30

Milwaukee Habitat Headquarters

3726 N Booth Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 Gala Committee:

Jay Mack, President & CEO, Town Bank

Eric Wozny, Vice President, Town Bank

Michael & Shawnie Emem, Emem Group

Emcee: Portia Young

 For your dining pleasure, open bar and food prepared by Shully's Cuisine & Events. 

Since 1984, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity has helped over 1500 families invest in the stability and equity of homeownership. 

TOGETHER, WE BUILD HOMEOWNERSHIP

Presented By: 

$75,000 Challenge Match:

Foundation Sponsors:

Roof Sponsors: 

Hard Hat Sponsors: 

Chorus Community Health Plans

Complimentary Valet Parking Sponsored By:

Frequently Asked Questions

How to bid 

The Silent Auction will open on Friday, October 9. Once you have completed registration you can begin bidding that day. You will also receive a welcome text message, linking you to the items to browse and bid.

• Click "View Items" 
• Click the item of interest to view the description as well as the current bid and/or price.
• Choose your bid amount.
• Click "Bid."

You'll be notified by text if you've been outbid.

For more on how to bid, watch this video: How To Bid

For questions about individual items, email [email protected]. 

Can virtual attendees participate?

The 2026 Framing the Future Gala will be in-person only. However, virtual participants can bid on silent auction items until 7:00 PM or make a donation towards the Accunet Challenge Match until 8:00PM on October 15.

When does the silent auction close?

The silent auction closes during the live auction on Thursday, October 165

How to place an auto bid

You can set an amount using the Auto Bid feature and the system will automatically place minimum bids for you as needed up to that amount. The system will bid incrementally up to the amount designated as long as someone else places a bid against you. If no one bids against your Auto Bid, the price remains the same.

• Click the item of interest.
• Click "Auto Bid."
• Enter in the maximum amount you would like to bid.
• Click "Bid."

Note: When two bids are placed for the same amount, the bid placed first based on the timestamp wins. Timestamps are set when the initial bid is placed; for auto bids, this is when a maximum was set, not when the system prompted the bid to win. 

How will I get the items I win?

For in-person attendees, winning auction items can be picked up at the event at 8:30 pm.

For virtual participants, winning auction items can be picked up at Milwaukee Habitat HQ, 3726 N Booth St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, on Friday, October 16, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

If you need to make special arrangements to pick up your items, please contact Ren Gresbach at 414-356-1501 or [email protected]g by Friday, October 9.

Can I pay for my items another way, without using my credit card?

You will be required to enter a credit card number in order to place a bid or make a donation. If you would like to complete your transaction another way (check, donor advised fund, or other), please contact Ren Gresbach at 414-356-1501 or [email protected] by Friday, October 16 to make arrangements.

What if I want to make a donation without bidding on any auction items?

You can make a donation before 8:00PM on October 15 by clicking on the Donation button. Your donation will be added to your cart, and you must check out to complete your donation.

After the event closes, you can make a donation at MilwaukeeHabitat.org.