The Land and Infrastructure Fund

        Today, the greatest challenge to keeping Atlanta Habitat homes affordable is the cost of the land beneath each one.  Vacant parcels in the urban core are increasingly rare and now sell for unprecedented amounts.  Small, in-fill lots that cost $3,000 to $5,000 less than a decade ago now list for $15,000 to $30,000 and more.  This new reality in the real estate market has forced Atlanta Habitat to consider new options, including breaking ground on undeveloped tracts of land, which require increased infrastructure and site development expenses.  Because land prices in the city will likely continue to escalate, the organization recognizes that it must be strategic in acquiring and developing new properties.

        Your gift to The Land and Infrastructure Fund will ensure that Atlanta Habitat has the financial resources to capitalize on opportunities in the real estate market and to develop its land holdings into construction-ready properties. 

Faith and Community Partnership Fund

        The Faith and Community Partnership Fund enables congregations of different religious, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to partner on house builds by supplementing the house sponsorship fee. From 1995 to 2006, a total of 176 homes have been built with the support of the Faith and Community Partnership Fund, accounting for 27% of total home construction during that time.  The fund also supports Atlanta Habitat’s secondary mission of strengthening community as volunteers from two to 13 diverse congregations unite to construct homes, promote goodwill and create understanding across religious and cultural frontiers.  Your gift to the Faith and Community Partnership Fund will provide more opportunities for congregations to share common bonds of faith and love while building quality homes  with and for families in need.

The Homeowner Education Fund

      At Atlanta Habitat, our mission is not only to build homes, but to build successful homeowner families. All Atlanta Habitat homeowners are first-time homebuyers – and often first-time house dwellers – who may have never experienced the financial and practical demands of maintaining a home. Atlanta Habitat’s solution is Home Smart, a comprehensive education program required for all new Atlanta Habitat homebuyers and available for existing Atlanta Habitat homeowners. Classes cover crucial subjects such as financial planning, home management and maintenance, community involvement and other strategies for running an efficient, enjoyable home. A centerpiece of this program is the Homeowner Maintenance Education Room.  Here, homeowners gain hands-on experience in maintenance and repair through functional workstations arranged like an Atlanta Habitat home.  Upon completion of the program, each homebuyer receives a maintenance manual and a basic toolkit.

        Consistently, homeowners report that the education classes provide valuable information and empower them to better manage their home and finances. Your contribution to the Homeowner Education Fund will allow Atlanta Habitat to continue to provide and expand these critical, successful programs.

The Homeowner Outreach Fund

        Atlanta Habitat actively seeks hard-working, qualified families to apply for homeownership. Through representation at neighborhood association meetings, school events, church activities and other gatherings, Atlanta Habitat generates community interest and support for its mission.  At the same time, we educate prospective homebuyers who may have never viewed homeownership as a realistic goal.  In addition, our Homeowner Outreach Committee connects with the community including Atlanta’s fast-growing immigrant populations. One example of this is the Hispanic Outreach Program, which reaches out to this underserved population by presenting directly to Hispanic audiences and by networking with organizations connected to the Hispanic community. 

        Your gift will support the efforts of our Homeowner Outreach Committee to generate community involvement and support, and to recruit a diverse pool of qualified applicants. 

The Green Building Fund

        Atlanta Habitat homes are not only affordable, they are also built to high standards of quality. With that commitment in mind, Atlanta Habitat became the first nonprofit builder to join the EarthCraft certified building program in 2004.  Since then, all homes built meet rigorous certification standards, ensuring that they protect the environment, in addition to being affordable and easy to maintain for homeowners. By utilizing environmentally friendly building practices, Atlanta Habitat is doing its part to protect our planet’s resources.  The energy efficiency features of the homes also reduce homeowner utility bills by 25 to 30% annually.  During construction, homebuyers and volunteers learn about the benefits of green building techniques, spreading the message of sound environmental stewardship.  As a result of the EarthCraft program, Southface Energy Institute recognized Atlanta Habitat as the 2004 Nonprofit Builder of the Year.  

      Donations to the Green Building Fund will help to continue the EarthCraft building program and provide additional upgrades for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction practices.

Foundation 1000

        Donors who contribute $1,000 or more in undesignated funds automatically become a member of our celebrated Foundation 1000 giving program. Members receive recognition and special information about Atlanta Habitat, as well as invitations to exclusive events. 

        The critical importance of this program lies in the fact that all donations to Foundation 1000 are undesignated, which allows Atlanta Habitat to support its operations where needed most.  These funds enable us to respond to the ever changing needs of our community and provide maximum flexibility to meet future challenges. Most importantly, an undesignated donation allows Atlanta Habitat the financial security and flexibility to continue to make Atlanta a better place – one home, and one family at a time.