In 2020, the Hope for Habitat Endowment Fund was started to ensure the continuation and success of the Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland programs. The fund was started by an anonymous long time supporter of Habitat for Humanity, along with other supporters of the mission of Habitat.
The Endowment fund will be invested and only a portion of the earnings will be spent each year so that the endowment will continue to grow and provide an additional source of funding to sustain and expand the long-term impact of Habitat for Humanity in perpetuity. A strong endowment means families in our community will continue to have access to this source of affordable housing options. Anyone can make a donation of any amount to this fund to support the great work Habitat for Humanity is doing in our community.
The local Habitat for Humanity was started because many families are in need of decent and affordable housing in Bradley County. Habitat works to fill that need by “seeking to put God’s love into action, to bring people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope.”
Habitat has a broad definition of sub-standard housing which includes overcrowding, homelessness, unsafe living environment, structural damage and a variety of other needs. Habitat provides a long-term impact that changes a family’s life forever. Habitat homeowners partner with Habitat for Humanity by completing sweat equity hours, homeowner education courses and paying an affordable mortgage on their home. Habitat works with families to build better lives in order to build stronger communities.
Mission Principles
Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ
Habitat for Humanity undertakes its work to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus, acting in all ways in accord with the belief that God’s love and grace abound for all, and that they must be “hands and feet” of that love and grace in our world. They believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent, and that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people.
Focus on shelter
Habitat for Humanity has chosen, as its means of manifesting God’s love, to create opportunities for all people to live in decent, durable shelter. They put faith into action by helping to build, renovate or preserve homes, and by partnering with others to accelerate and broaden access to affordable housing as a foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Advocate for affordable housing
In response to the prophet Micah’s call to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God, Habitat for Humanity promotes decent, affordable housing for all, and they support the global community’s commitment to housing as a basic human right. They will advocate for just and fair housing policy to eliminate the constraints that contribute to poverty housing. And, in all of their work, they will seek to put shelter on hearts and minds in such powerful ways that poverty housing becomes socially, politically and religiously unacceptable.
Promote dignity and hope
Habitat for Humanity believes that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity. They believe that every person has something to contribute and something to gain from creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live. They believe that dignity and hope are best achieved through equitable, accountable partnerships.
Support sustainable and transformational development
Habitat for Humanity views their work as successful when it transforms lives and promotes positive and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community; when it is based on mutual trust and fully shared accomplishment; and when it demonstrates responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to us.
To learn more about the work Habitat is doing in our community visit the Habitat website.
Donations are made by simply writing a check to the Foundation designated to the Fund or online.