Thrivent Financial reaches $200 million in donations to Habitat for Humanity with new $12 million commitment

ATLANTA, Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International announced today that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will commit $12 million in 2014 to Habitat through the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity partnership. The funding will be utilized by three programs within the Thrivent Builds partnership: Thrivent Builds Homes, Thrivent Builds Worldwide and Thrivent Builds Repairs. From the partnership's inception in 2005, Thrivent Financial and its members have now committed more than $200 million and more than 4 million volunteer hours.

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Three programs help make a difference

• Thrivent Builds Homes, the largest of the three programs, will benefit from $7.8 million in 2014 to help build 126 Habitat for Humanity houses. The program focuses on improving communities by helping Habitat build homes in partnership with low-income families all across the U.S. By the end of 2014, the partnership will have built more than 2,000 Thrivent Builds Homes across the country.
• Thrivent Builds Worldwide allows Thrivent members and others to give financially and volunteer their time as they travel to international or domestic locations for a week or more at a time to build Habitat homes and experience other cultures. In 2014, the Thrivent Builds Worldwide program will send up to 115 teams funded by $1.4 million. Including trips planned for 2014, nearly 1,500 homes will have been built in 33 countries through this program.
• Thrivent Builds Repairs is the newest of the Thrivent Builds programs. Through this program, Thrivent members and others demonstrate generosity as they help repair existing homes in partnership with families who don't have the resources or ability to make the repairs themselves. Partner families may include senior citizens, veterans, single mothers or others needing assistance. The Thrivent Builds Repairs program will complete up to 500 repairs with funding of up to $1.25 million in 2014. Since its launch in 2012 through the end of 2014, up to 800 homes will have been repaired through this program.

"Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity is a great way for our members to express their generosity," said Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "It's one more reflection of our commitment to strengthening communities here at home and around the world."

"We are so grateful for Thrivent Financial's long-term and generous support," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "The Thrivent Builds partnership continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands of families around the world who now have hope for a brighter future." 

Thrivent Financial remains the largest non-governmental supporter of Habitat for Humanity International.

For more information about Thrivent Builds programs or to volunteer, visit Thriventbuilds.com.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a "hand up" to people in need of affordable housing, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat's largest single source of funding, constructing and repairing more than 3,500 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

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.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping its nearly 2.5 million members to be wise with money and to live generous lives. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial joins with its members to create and support national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International