Habitat for Humanity and Dow Named Finalists for U.S. Chamber Partnership Award

ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International announced today that its partnership with The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) has been named by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center as a finalist for the Best Partnership award in the BCLC annual Corporate Citizenship Awards program. The Best Partnership category honors companies and charitable organizations for working together to address important social issues.

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For more than 28 years, Dow has provided ongoing support of Habitat's global mission to create affordable housing through its donation of energy-efficient home insulation solutions, extensive employee volunteerism and cash contributions. During this time, Dow products or funding have supported more than 25,000 homes in 21 countries. Dow also is working with Habitat by serving as a subject matter expert in energy efficiency and conservation in the construction of houses, and Dow employees support Habitat by committing their professional expertise as Habitat volunteers.

"We are delighted to be named with Dow as a finalist for this award. One of our strategies to better serve more families is to develop strong partnerships," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.  "Addressing the challenges of affordable housing requires collaboration among the public, private and nonprofit sectors. We see specifically through our partnership with Dow how we can accomplish so much more when we work together toward the common goals of helping families and developing strong and sustainable communities."

In 2011, Dow pledged nearly $1.5 million to help fund 18 Habitat community builds and other key projects around the world.  Additionally, Dow anticipates gift-in-kind contributions of Dow Building Solutions insulation products in excess of $2.5 million by the end of the year, representing the second half of a two-year product commitment made by Dow in 2010. Dow's aggregate contributions to Habitat since 1983 total nearly $12.5 million in funding and more than $25 million in gift-in-kind support.

"Dow is honored to be recognized with Habitat for the exceptional partnership we have forged over almost three decades," said Bo Miller, president and executive director of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation. "This collaboration continues to benefit our neighbors all over the world because Habitat proves, year after year, to be an outstanding organization with a mission to do tremendous good in the world. We hope the voting public recognizes this life-changing partnership by voting for Habitat and Dow."

The winner of this award is determined by online public voting at www.corporatecitizenshipvote.com. Voting in the 2011 competition began September 19th and will continue until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 28th. The 2011 winner will be announced on November 17th at the U.S. Chamber headquarters in Washington, D.C.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than two million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.  

About the Business Civic Leadership Center

The Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, serving as the business community's resource and voice for social and philanthropic interests. Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International