Jonathan Reckford
How Habitat for Humanity is celebrating 50 years | ABC News
Carter Work Project 2026
For the first time since 1988, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta, May 3-8, 2026.
Jonathan T.M. Reckford is chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. He has served as CEO since 2005. Under his leadership Habitat affiliates in all 50 states and in more than 70 countries have grown, helping millions of people each year build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Jonathan is the chair of Leadership 18, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Future Council on the Future of Cities for the World Economic Forum, and a board member of the Barron Collier Companies.
Named the most influential nonprofit leader in America in 2017 by The NonProfit Times, Jonathan is the author of Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World.
He and his wife, Ashley, have three children and live in Atlanta.
Latest news
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Jonathan shares a collection of photos from the 1988 Carter Work Project, when Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter helped build homes in Atlanta. 37 years later, the homes and clothes look different, but the mission and emotions remain the same as this year’s Carter Work Project returns to Atlanta.
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Jonathan Reckford announces Habitat’s Let’s Open the Door global campaign to elevate the urgency of the world’s housing crisis, kicking off with an installation of 10 artist‑designed doors in NYC’s Washington Square Park.
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Jonathan spoke with SaportaReport about this year’s Carter Work Project alongside Rosalyn Merrick, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. “We know the best way to honor the remarkable legacy of the Carters is to keep the work going.”
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Jonathan discusses key policy priorities, bipartisan legislation and the Homeownership Supply Accelerator, exploring what it will take to boost starter home supply and expand access to homeownership through advocacy.
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Together with over 60 Habitat for Humanity national offices and partners, we are urging G7 governments to elevate housing as a crosscutting catalyst for economic growth, climate resilience, health, education and equity.
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Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford appeared at Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy for a discussion on leading a faith-based nonprofit, the role of the faith community in bridgebuilding and how service is the antidote to polarization.
Selected events
Building Homes, Communities and Hope with Jonathan Reckford at the Lake Institute
Lake Institute on Faith and Giving hosted Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford as its 2026 Distinguished Visitor. He spoke on the role of the faith community in bridgebuilding and how service is the ultimate antidote to our polarized world.
Lake Institute on Faith and Giving hosted Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford as its 2026 Distinguished Visitor. He spoke on the role of the faith community in bridgebuilding and how service is the ultimate antidote to our polarized world.
Housing equity panel at SXSW 2025
Habitat presented a panel, Advancing Black Homeownership through Housing Equity, on Industry Day at SXSW 2025. Jonathan and VP and Executive Director of Habitat Capital, Daniel Gura, were joined by Andre Perry of the Brookings Institution and Lisa Matthews of The Associated Press for a discussion on the struggle for equal access to housing.
Habitat presented a panel, Advancing Black Homeownership through Housing Equity, on Industry Day at SXSW 2025. Jonathan and VP and Executive Director of Habitat Capital, Daniel Gura, were joined by Andre Perry of the Brookings Institution and Lisa Matthews of The Associated Press for a discussion on the struggle for equal access to housing.
Stanford Graduate School of Business graduation keynote
Jonathan gave the keynote address to the graduating class of Stanford Graduate School of Business at their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Watch Jonathan’s speech above or read the transcript.
Jonathan gave the keynote address to the graduating class of Stanford Graduate School of Business at their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Watch Jonathan’s speech above or read the transcript.
Featured content
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Now in paperback: Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford shares stories of Habitat volunteers and future homeowners in his book, Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World, with a foreword by Jimmy Carter.
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Penn Institute for Urban Research asked 13 leading voices in housing policy, urban planning and finance to share their perspectives on a critical question: What actions or reforms are needed to ensure access to sustainable, affordable housing, particularly to expand supply?
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Research conducted on behalf of Habitat for Humanity shows that adequate housing is a powerful catalyst for well-being and sustainability.
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