Thank You For Backing Brooklyn: $1.4M Raised!

Oct 31, 2025

A crowd in an indoor venue waves objects in the air while a man and woman speak onstage, projected onto a large wall behind them with the word "BROOKLYN" displayed.

$1.4M Raised For Brooklyn!

An Incredible Record-Breaking Night of Generosity

This week, hundreds of Brooklynites came together to show in every way how Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn. Together, we raised $1.4 million (including $252,000 raised the night of the event and still counting!) to power the work of dedicated local nonprofits that are lifelines for our communities during this turbulent time.

This support is desperately needed as our nonprofit community prepares to meet unprecedented need due to the freeze on SNAP benefits, compounded by federal funding cuts and further rollbacks of social programs.

These contributions fuel our overall goal to raise $5 million for Brooklyn, so that we can increase our support for communities by 25% above last year. This record fundraising achievement was only possible through the deep commitment of our sponsors, partners, and attendees. Thank YOU for showing up and showing just how much you care.

It has never been clearer that community is what we need, and this is how we must respond. Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President & CEO

Four people stand side by side, smiling, in front of a colorful backdrop with "Brooklyn.org" and "BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!" logos. — Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball, 2025.

A person with a white beard speaks at a podium labeled “Brooklyn Changemakers Ball” with a matching “Changemakers Ball” sign on a screen beside them. — Barry Cooper, The B.R.O. Experience Foundation. Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball, 2025.

A man smiles at the camera, opening his jacket to reveal a "BROOKLYN.ORG" t-shirt, standing in front of a Brooklyn.org promotional backdrop. — Randy Peers, The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball, 2025.

A woman in a pink dress and a man in a navy suit stand together in front of a Brooklyn.org event backdrop that reads, "Show Up. Spark Change.

A person speaks at a podium labeled "Brooklyn Changemakers Ball.org" with a matching display screen in the background at an indoor event. — Ana Gasteyer. Brooklyn Org Changemakers Ball, 2025.

The evening celebrated the everyday heroes that giving everything to make Brooklyn a better place for all of us who call it home. This year’s Brooklyn Org 25 features leaders taking on big challenges: affordability for Families, access to Housing, and caring for our neighbors Health and Well-Being. Their work—showcased through the inspiring remarks of Samora Coles from The Alex House Project, Barry Cooper from The B.R.O. Experience Foundation, and Michelle de la Uz from Fifth Avenue Committee, embodies the best of Brooklyn’s resilience and heart.

The night opened with a surprise guest, actress and comedienne Ana Gasteyer, who brought joy to the room. And we danced the night away thanks to the incomparable Brooklyn Ballet, the Iconic International House of Juicy Couture, and DJs from The Lay Out, whose collective energy and creativity transformed the dance floor into a true celebration of Brooklyn’s unique culture and spirit.

Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn: Help Us Reach Even More Communities

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Take A Closer Look Our Brooklyn Org 25

Learn more about each leader here and watch our videos below on the work of BKO 25 members addressing Families, Health and Well-Being, and Housing.

Brooklyn Org 25: Families

A woman holds a baby over her shoulder in a softly lit room with a bed and cushions in the background. — **Brooklyn Org 25: Health & Well-Being**

Two women are hugging and smiling in a kitchen, with family photos on the wall and household items visible in the background. — **Brooklyn Org 25: Housing**

Row of colorful brownstone buildings with parked cars and pedestrians at a street corner in an urban neighborhood.

Event Highlights

Three women pose together at an event; one holds a large fan that reads "BROOKLYN.ORG." There are people and a large floral arrangement in the background.

Three people pose and smile at a formal event with dinner tables set and guests seated in the background.

Four women stand together posing for a photo in front of a colorful Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn event backdrop.

Two people stand together and pose for a photo in front of a colorful Brooklyn-themed event backdrop.

A large group of people sit at round tables during a formal event, with a speaker projected on a screen labeled "BROOKLYN" in the background.

Three adults pose and smile at an indoor event; the man holds a drink, the women wear a red dress and a black dress. Other people are visible in the background.

Two people stand smiling in front of a "Brooklyn.org" backdrop, partially covering their faces with a large fan that reads "BROOKLYN.ORG.

Two well-dressed people stand in the open doorway of a subway train; the woman smiles with one hand on her hip while the man leans against the door frame.

Four people pose and smile inside a subway car; two are seated, one holds a “BROOKLYN.ORG” fan, and two stand nearby. Signs promoting Brooklyn are visible in the background.

A woman and a man pose and smile for the camera at a crowded indoor social event, with people mingling in the background.

Three presenters stand on stage at the Changemakers Ball, with two large screens displaying the event name in the background.

A man speaks at a podium on stage while two women stand beside him and people in the audience raise scarves in the air.

A man and a woman stand at a podium speaking to an audience at an indoor event, with a projection screen in the background.

Three people stand close together at an indoor event, smiling and talking. The woman in the center wears a black dress and blue earrings, while the others wear a red blazer and a leather jacket.

Five dancers perform on stage in front of a seated audience, with dramatic lighting highlighting their movements and expressions.

Three adults dressed in evening attire stand together at an indoor event, conversing and holding drinks.

A man in a suit sits at a table with food and drinks, engaged in conversation at a formal event with other people in the background.

A person in a black dress holds a large fan reading "BROOKLYNWORDS" at an indoor social event with other attendees in the background.

Two people hug in a crowded indoor event while others stand, talk, and hold drinks in the background.

A large crowd of people socializing at an indoor event space with colorful lighting and floral centerpieces.

A person in a safety vest and jeans strikes a dynamic pose in front of an open subway train door on a platform.

A performer in a safety vest and heels poses on the floor with one leg raised, holding a fan that reads "BROOKLYN," while a crowd watches near a subway train set.

A group of performers dance energetically on the floor in front of a cheering audience in a large indoor space, with colorful lighting.

People in formal and semi-formal attire stand in a group at an indoor social event, conversing and holding drinks.

A man in a plaid suit and a woman in a white blouse and black skirt stand and smile at a formal event with seated guests in the background.

Two women sit at a small round table with a vase of flowers and a sign. One woman wears a green dress; the other wears a bright orange sweater. Other people are visible in the background.

A man in a suit speaks at a podium with a sign that reads "Brooklyn" at an indoor event.

A man in formal attire stands and smiles while people seated around him applaud at a banquet event. Tables are set with food and drinks, and the room is filled with attendees.

A clear acrylic "25" award sits on a colorful table next to a glass, a plate with butter, and event materials in a dimly lit setting.

A group of people gather indoors at an event; one person wears a shirt reading "Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn" while others stand and talk nearby.

A woman and a man pose and smile at an indoor social event while other attendees stand and chat in the background.

Three men pose together at an indoor social event, each holding a drink. The background shows other guests and floral arrangements.

Woman with curly hair and glasses smiles while holding a wine glass at a crowded indoor event. People are gathered and socializing in the background.

A woman speaks at a podium labeled "Brooklyn Changemakers Ball" with screens in the background displaying the same event name.

Two women in formal dresses walk indoors past a wall with “Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn” and “Show Up. Spark Change.” signs at an event.

Four people sit at a banquet table set with food and drinks, engaged in conversation. The table is marked with a number 15 sign. Other guests are visible in the background.

Two women pose and smile for the camera at an indoor event; one wears a red dress, the other a tan coat, while people mingle in the background.

A woman wearing glasses speaks at a clear podium with a microphone; a large screen and signage with the word "BROOKLYN" are visible in the background.

Two women stand behind DJ equipment, smiling at the camera; one wears headphones and both are dressed in black. A "DJ9AM" sign is visible beside them.

Three women pose and smile at an indoor event, dressed in formal attire, with other guests and floral decorations in the background.

A bartender is preparing drinks behind a bar with assorted bottles, while people gather and socialize in a dimly lit setting.

A person in a blue outfit holds a large fan with "BROOKLYN.ORG" printed on it, partially covering their face, standing in front of a yellow and black backdrop.

A man wearing dark clothing and a black beret stands in a subway car, holding a camera with one hand and resting the other on his stomach. The sign above him reads "Brooklyn Backs.

Three people sit on a subway bench; one holds a fan reading "BROOKLYN.ORG." Behind them is a sign that says "Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn.

Three women pose for a photo at a social event, surrounded by other attendees. Two of them are holding drinks and one wears a staff lanyard. The setting is indoors with colorful lighting.

A black table holds a Wells Fargo-branded fan, a small vase with pink and yellow flowers, and a sign that reads "Show Up. Spark Change.

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A list of event chairs and host committee members for the Brooklyn Changemakers Ball, displayed in alphabetical order by committee, dated October 29, 2025. Sponsor thank-you poster listing various organizations and individuals, grouped by donation level, with logos for select sponsors. As of October 20, 2023.