Lutheran Group Pledges $125 Million for Habitat Homes
A Lutheran financial organization committed tens of millions of dollars to build 322 Habitat for Humanity houses in 2008.
The homes will be built in 42 states through the partnership of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans - a nonprofit group offering financial products and services to Lutheran members – and Habitat for Humanity. The homes are funded by a four-year commitment of $125 million by Thrivent.
"Having made the largest four-year commitment in Habitat's history, Thrivent Financial has created an incredible model for corporate involvement," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "It has helped us increase the number of U.S. Habitat homes built by nearly six percent and added a new dimension for those interested in building homes abroad.
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"It is difficult to express how grateful we are for Thrivent Financial's incomparable financial support and volunteer efforts of thousands of its members."
In addition to funding homes, some 200 Thrivent Financial volunteer teams will also help build homes along the Gulf Coast and overseas next year.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans made an initial four-year commitment of $105 million with Habitat in 2005. The financial group added an additional $20 million this year in response to the significant interest and involvement by thousands of Thrivent Financial members.
In 2006 and 2007, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity helped more than 650 families in 46 states and Washington, D.C., achieve their dream of home ownership. Furthermore, more than 130 teams traveled to U.S. locations and abroad to help build hundreds of additional Habitat homes.
"It makes a difference to Thrivent and to our members that we can help more families with this large step toward economic self-sufficiency,' said Bruce J. Nicholson, chairman, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity has provided a way for us to positively affect so many people's lives – both now and in the future."
Thrivent Builds with Habitat alliance includes Thrivent Builds Homes and Thrivent Builds Worldwide. Another program of the alliance is Thrivent Builds Mobile – a "multimedia exhibit on wheels" that tours the United States advocating for affordable housing and informing visitors about the Thrivent Builds alliance and how they can become involved.
Habitat for Humanity International is an interdenominational Christian ministry that works for the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people.
