GM Foundation donates more than $1.45 million to aid Habitat for Humanity
Grants to make possible new home builds, revitalization projects and a special veterans’ initiative
DETROIT (March 18, 2014) – The General Motors Foundation is donating more than 1.45 million to Habitat for Humanity to fund at least 10 new home builds and 15 neighborhood revitalization projects across the United States, as well as a special veterans’ program in partnership with up to 50 Habitat affiliates.
“An important factor in building stronger families and communities is the stability of a permanent home,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “This constancy is particularly important for our veterans and military service members, and we are committed to helping them – and the Habitat partner families – realize homeownership and take advantage of programs designed to move their lives forward in positive ways.”
This commitment from the GM Foundation will help give U.S. military service members and veterans access to programs that will help them become homeowners or improve their current living conditions. It will help fund the development of training programs, enabling affiliates to better engage and serve their local veteran community. Additionally, it will support construction and revitalization projects in the following cities:
- Habitat Bowling Green/Warren County in Bowling Green, Ky. – March 25
- Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County in Lordstown, Ohio – April 24
- Heartland Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City, Kan. – May 21
- Huntington County Habitat for Humanity in Roanoke, Ind. – May 22
- Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County in Seattle, Wash. – June 19
- Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo in Tonawanda/Lockport, N.Y. – July 30
- Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pa. – July 31
- Habitat for Humanity Detroit in Detroit, Mich. – Aug./Sept.
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio – Aug. 8-9
- Habitat for Humanity of Michigan in Flint, Pontiac and Warren, Mich. – Sept. 8-12
- Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project: Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and Trinity Habitat for Humanity in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas – Oct. 6-10
- Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area in Fontana, Calif. – Nov. 21
General Motors’ teamGM Cares Volunteers, from the company’s operations across the country, will volunteer for each project.
In February, the GM Foundation announced a 400,000 pledge to Habitat for Humanity Detroit in honor of former GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. It also provided a 50,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan to fund volunteer projects in Warren, Pontiac and Flint, Mich., as well as help the Habitat State Support Organization fund its operations.
With this new commitment, the GM Foundation is providing more than 1 million through its national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International to support U.S. Habitat affiliates. This is the second consecutive year the GM Foundation has provided national funding to Habitat for home building and revitalization projects.
The Foundation also provided 500,000 to the organization in May 2013 to assist with cleanup, repairs and new construction efforts in five Texas counties following devastating tornadoes. Combined, the GM Foundation’s total support of Habitat for Humanity has reached more than 3 million since 2013.
“Habitat is grateful for the continued support of the General Motors Foundation,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “This new funding will provide opportunities for many families — and veterans in particular — to partner with Habitat affiliates across the U.S. to build or repair their homes. The donation demonstrates a deep commitment from the General Motors Foundation to help Habitat change lives and transform communities.”
About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting education, health and human services, the environment and community development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.