Thrivent Builds Program Off to a Great Start

In the Summer 2006 Brickworks issue, we were excited to announce a new partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International, called Thrivent Builds. We are truly excited about this program and are excited to announce them as the largest funders for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis homes in its 20 year History.

Thrivent Financialfor Lutherans, is a faith-based membership organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of its members, their families and their communities has a 14 year history with Habitat and this relationship has generated more than 500 homes with $25 million in funds and 1.4 million volunteer hours in homebuilding time. Now, with the launching of the Thrivent Builds program, it has created the largest homebuilding and fund-raising program in Habitat’s history.
“We are ecstatic that Thrivent Financial has so dramatically increased its relationship with us,” said Paul Leonard, chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity International. “For 14 years, Thrivent Financial has joined us in our dream to change lives by building affordable homes with families in need. This partnership brings both financial support and volunteers to help us increase our capacity and serve even more families. It’s a great program for both organizations.”
Bruce Nicholson, president and chief executive officer of Thrivent Financial, comments, “This effort will help build homes, one of the most important assets for families and communities. Decent housing is recognized as the most significant financial asset that helps families into the economic mainstream and leads to stronger communities.”
The new program includes:

• A Thrivent Financial commitment of $109 million dollars towards construction
• A joint major homebuilding initiative of 500 additional Habitat homes annually through 2008 for families living in substandard housing
• An innovative Thrivent Financial member-fund matching program that will help fuel Habitat builds
• HabitatGlobalVillage trips called Thrivent Builds Worldwide, designed to engage Thrivent Financial members and Lutherans in building homes abroad
• Neighborhood improvement grants to focus efforts in areas with critical need.

This year, the Thrivent Builds program provided Habitat St. Louis with over $150,000 for our home building program. For 2007, we have applied for funding in excess $750,000. If granted, this would be the largest single funding source for Habitat St. Louis’ home building program in its 20 year history.

We are thrilled about this partnership and look forward to continuing to develop it as we grow as an organization” says Kimberly McKinney, Chief Executive Officer for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. “Owning a home, having a safe and decent place to raise your children is a basic need that is unfortunately of reach for too many St. Louis families. We are excited that the Thrivent Builds program will be able to assist us here in St. Louis as we continue in our mission of providing simple, decent affordable housing”.

Thrivent Builds Offers Matching Funds

Thrivent Builds Giving is a program offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to its members in which Thrivent Financial will contribute $1 for every $2 its members donate to Habitat for Humanity International or to their local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, up to a maximum supplement of $300 per member annually. The dollars contributed will help homeowner families achieve greater economic independence through the building of decent, simple, affordable homes. If you are a Thrivent member, you are eligible to stretch your dollars that you give by participating in this worthwhile program. It’s easy!

It’s easy! Just go to www.Thriventbuilds.com, click on “Giving”, and then “Giving Options” and it will walk you through it! What a way to maximize you gift!