Jeffrey Brian Gardner Global Village Scholarship Fund

You can help a young person better understand global poverty and make a difference. Read below to learn about the Jeffrey Brian Gardner Global Village Scholarship Fund and how you can contribute.

Who is Jeffrey Gardner?
Jeff was born on June 1, 1965 and grew up in Livingston, New Jersey. Although he received his bachelor's degree in Food Science from Rutgers University in 1987, Jeff spent his professional career in the insurance industry. Jeff's life tragically ended at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Jeff had an outstanding ability to love and support others. His love was not limited to those he knew; he was driven to spread his compassion as far as his resources would permit. His work with Habitat for Humanity was widespread. He traveled to Honduras with Global Village in 1989, to Brazil in 2001 and could be found on the build site in Newark on many weekends. “I have been so fortunate in my life, and I both cherish that, and at the same time never want to take it for granted,” Jeff said about his work with Habitat for Humanity.

What is the scholarship?
The primary goal of this scholarship is to provide an opportunity for college students to experience the same reconciliation—of faith, culture and backgrounds—with others as Jeff did. Through this scholarship, over 85 college-age participants have received financial assistance to cover their GV trip costs and have an experience like the ones Jeff valued so much.

The Jeff Brian Gardner Global Village scholarship was established by Gardner’s family and loved ones, who wanted other college-age participants to have Global Village opportunities—like Jeff had—in Central and South America. In 2006, at the request of the Gardner family, eligibility was expanded to include college-age participants on any Global Village trip.

Jeff's brother and sister continue to promote Habitat and the Global Village program as a way to carry on Jeff's belief in the power of cross-cultural understanding. His brother, Eric, serves on the Board of Our Voices Together, an organization that empowers individuals to counter terrorism through positive, global action and honors the memory of Jeff and thousands of others who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. To learn more about Jeff, please visit Our Voices Together.

How can I contribute to the scholarship fund?
Make a donation by sending a check to
Habitat for Humanity International
Attn: Gardner GV Scholarship Fund
121 Habitat St.
Americus, GA 31709

Please write “S6481 Gardner GV Scholarship” in the check memo to designate your contribution to the fund. Thank you!

What are the scholarship guidelines?

• Applicants must be 18- to 24-years-old and currently enrolled in or recently graduated from college or university.
• Scholarships will be awarded on an individual basis.
• Applicants must be registered participants on a Global Village team, having paid the $350 deposit.
• The program is a matching scholarship with a maximum award of $500 available to participants.
• The scholarship funds will be used toward the trip costs paid to HFHI and may not be used for other expenses such as air fare, visas, etc.
• Applications for the scholarship must be received 60 days prior to a team’s departure.
• A selection team established by the GV program will advise on award status within two weeks of submission.
• Registered, eligible participants can ask their GV team leader for the application.