The Greensboro Builders Association was recognized as the 2021 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in Greensboro as part of National Philanthropy Day on Monday, November 22, 2021. GBA was nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro and Community Housing Solutions to receive this honor.
As an association, our members have always had a heart for helping others, especially in providing affordable housing. We have been fortunate to work with industry partners, such as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro and Community Housing Solutions, to assist with new construction and renovations to existing homes. In prior years, we had partnerships with the City of Greensboro and Home, Inc.
As with all our community service initiatives, our members step up to the plate time and time again when needed, providing their time and expertise as well as financial resources and in-kind contributions of labor and materials.
Being nominating by our industry partners is invaluable and we are so honored to be the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in Greensboro. Criteria for the award focuses on an organization’s culture and approach to philanthropy and charitable giving, how they motivate and engage others to become involved and serve as leaders in the community. In addition, they look at the organization’s innovative and creativity in addressing an issue or cause within the community.
Here’s some of the information our partners shared in our nomination for this award.
Community Housing Solutions
Thanks to the Greensboro Builders Association’s partnership with Community Housing Solutions – 12 homes have been renovated to make them warmer, drier, and safer; 2 homes have been completely rehabbed, and 2 new construction homes have been built. This work has impacted 16 families and more than 40 individuals.
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, however GBA members helped to secure much needed building materials, as well as engaged GTCC students in the construction of the new home on Eastwood Avenue. These students received valuable first-hand experience from the ground up. Not only is GBA focused on affordable housing issues, they are also involved with workforce development particularly related to the construction trades.
In addition to providing support in the construction of new homes and much needed home repairs, GBA members serve in various leadership roles on the CHS Board and Home Repair Committee.
GBA puts their culture and approach to philanthropy into ACTION.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro
The Greensboro Builders Association is a champion for affordable housing through its ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro. This partnership was formed in 2003 with the first Raising Roofs…Builders for Habitat blitz which involved 21 builder members constructing 12 homes in one week! Since then, there have been 8 Raising Roofs weeks involving 71 builders.
GBA has built 64 Habitat homes, providing 64 low-income families the opportunity to purchase their first home.
GBA builder members have worked in teams to construct these homes. They have secured in-kind donations of materials and labor. Each builder donates their time during the build week to supervise the construction, working alongside their trade contractors and suppliers…doing whatever is needed to complete the homes for dedication on Friday afternoons. During Raising Roofs week, there has been an average of 100-150 construction professionals on the build site from sunrise to sunset.
Over the years, the fundraising efforts from Raising Roofs have brought many ongoing faithful donors. In 2006, GBA and Pest Management Systems, Inc., (PMI) launched a creative fundraising effort to bring awareness and raise funds for Raising Roofs. In partnership with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, each year PMI purchases signature jerseys for the players to wear during a baseball game which are auctioned. This initiative has raised more than $93,000 over the past 14 years to directly support Raising Roofs.
Through our partnership with GBA, we have met construction supply vendors, who we have developed long-standing partnerships with helping reduce the costs of traditional builds.
Additionally, GBA members serve on Habitat Greensboro’s Building Committee to help oversee other building projects, with several becoming Habitat Greensboro Board members. The leadership of professional, experienced builders provided by GBA members to Habitat Greensboro’s Building Committee, and especially our Board of Directors, has been invaluable.
As both organizations shared…affordable housing is not the only focus for GBA’s charitable contributions.
GBA member give back in many other ways…from hurricane relief trips for Floyd and Katrina…to assisting other community groups with construction related needs such as Peacehaven Community Farm; McIver Education Center; Hospice Beacon Place; Amy’s House – A Room at the Inn of the Triad; and Bingham Street Redevelopment project in which eight homes were constructed.
Other community initiatives have included UNCG Bryan House Renovation; Price Park butterfly kiosk; Greensboro Children’s Museum; Greensboro Center City Park; Greensboro Sports Council Scholarship Tournament; Greensboro Beautiful; and In-as-Much Ministries.
In recent years, GBA has partnered with A Simple Gesture Greensboro to collect food for school pantries in Guilford County during the Parade of Homes and Tour of Remodeled Homes.
Special thanks to all our association members for the gift of your time as well as financial resources to assist us in providing affordable housing and renovations…as well as other charitable needs in our community.
This award is for YOU!