Today’s foundation is perhaps the most famous of all. Habitat for Humanity has assisted thousands of individuals and families in obtaining simple and affordable housing thanks to the efforts of volunteers coming together to build, rehabilitate, and preserve over 700,000 homes since the nonprofit organization was founded in 1976.
Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard Dean Fuller. Fuller sought a method of assisting his poorer neighbors and launched Koinonia Partners in 1968 which focused primarily on Partnership Housing. Using a “Fund for Humanity”, donations collected would be used to purchase building materials so that a team of volunteers could construct simple, decent homes for families. Families would then pay back the material costs at zero interest.
Fuller moved to Zaire in 1973 with his family to continue with his Partnership Housing efforts before launching a broader scale Fund for Humanity initiative in San Antonio, Texas. By the early 1980s Habitat for Humanity had expanded into affiliates in fourteen states and seven countries around the world, drawing volunteer attention from names like President Jimmy Carter.
Millard Fuller passed away in 2009 at the age of 74 and was the recipient of countless awards and honorary degrees. In 1996, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor by President Bill Clinton.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity, its volunteer opportunities, or to donate visit http://www.habitat.org.
This foundation featured on The Jills Giving is one of the many unique foundations supported by The Jills team which includes Jill Eber, Jill Hertzberg, Hillary Hertzberg, Danny Hertzberg, and Felise Eber. The Jills team strongly believes in giving back and we encourage you to visit The Jills Giving website to learn more about the various foundations we support as well as a little bit about the team.