This section includes suggestions and guidelines for giving to Habitat. For further information about any of these options, contact Beth Boswell, director of development, at Beth.Boswell@habitatforsyth.org or at 765-8854, ext.105.

Why Give to Habitat?

Hundreds of families in Forsyth County live in substandard housing and unsafe neighborhoods. Many of these are low-income, hard working families who do not earn enough to qualify for a loan that would enable them to move to nicer homes in safe neighborhoods. Studies show that children who grow up in a home of their own fare better in school and are more likely to earn a college degree. Most important, they are more likely to become home owners themselves, therefore helping to break the cycle of poverty.

By giving to Habitat, you become part of a tangible, ecumenical Christian ministry that is a “hand up” – not a “hand out.” Every day, Habitat is providing hope and stability to deserving Forsyth County families. Please join us in our ongoing efforts to eliminate substandard housing.

Accountability

For the second year in a row, Worth magazine has designated Habitat for Humanity International one of the Top 100 Non Profits in the U.S., selected from the more than 800,000 public charities. This designation names Habitat as one of the organizations making the biggest impact with donors' money, dollar for dollar.

Habitat is dedicated to good stewardship of funds, and our track record of success is remarkable. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 homes worldwide, providing safe, decent housing for an estimated 1 million people.

Closer to home, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County has built 229 homes since 1985, with 16 more scheduled to be built in 2007. The assessed tax value of these homes is $19 million, and they have generated $1.6 million in city and county property taxes during the last 21 years.

For financial information, please go to www.Guidestar.org and type “Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County” in the search box at the top. If you need more detailed information, please feel free to contact Executive Director Sylvia Oberle at 336-765-8854.

What Your Gift Buys:

We rely on the generous support of people like you for the construction of our houses. Here are concrete examples of how your investment matters:

$20 = Box of nails
$25 = Eight 2-by-4s
$50 = Kitchen sink
$100 = Two interior doors
$150 = Bedroom window
$250 = Primer, paint and stain
$500 = Outside storage shed
$1,000 = Roof shingles
$2,000 = Floor covering for house
$2,500 = Kitchen cabinets and countertops

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Ways to Donate

There are many ways in which you can contribute financially to help Habitat impact the lives of deserving families:

• Make your donation by mailing in a contribution or donating online. If you wish, you can donate in memory or honor of a loved one, teacher, friend, etc.
• Planned giving
• Sponsor a home
• Provide in-kind gifts
• Adopt-A-Lot

Make a Donation by Check or Credit Card:

Please send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, 339 Witt St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103; Attn: Beth Boswell. You will receive a letter confirming your gift for tax purposes.

If you would like your donation to honor or remember someone, please share their name with us and indicate whether your gift is in memory of or in honor of this individual. Click here to download a printable PDF donation form on which you can indicate a name and address of the person’s family so that we can send a card to them announcing your gift.

You may make a secure donation using your credit card through the Habitat for Humanity International web site. Affiliates receive 100 percent of donations made online in their name.

Just click on the link below and designate the Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County affiliate in the space provided.
https://secure.habitat.org/giving/local.html

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Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

A charitable gift of stocks or bonds provides an opportunity for tax savings while generously sharing with others. A gift of stock owned for more than one year entitles you to a charitable deduction for the full market value at the time the gift is made. If the stock has appreciated, you also avoid a capital gains tax on the appreciation. In addition to helping Habitat, you may diversify from low-basis, long-term holdings into other assets that will better suit your current needs.

Matching Gifts

You can automatically multiply your gift to Habitat if your employer will match your contributions! Thousands of companies have matching gift programs that double or even triple individual, tax-deductible contributions made by their employees. Ask your personnel office about your company’s matching gift program.

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Planned Gifts

You may wish to provide a gift to Habitat that will impact generations for years to come.

You can include Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County in your will, or as a beneficiary of life insurance proceeds or assets such as negotiable securities, mutual fund shares, certificates of deposit, or savings accounts (in accordance with state laws).

The remainder or residue of a 401(k) or IRA plan may be left to Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County as well. This may be a more economical way to leave funds to charity than through a will, because non-heirs who are not charitable institutions may have to pay income tax as well as estate tax on amounts received from retirement plans. (Certain corporate and government-sponsored retirement plans may not allow you to appoint a charity as the “charitable remainder.”)

To specify us in your plans, please use this wording: Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, Inc.

Please consult with your attorney and/or tax adviser about the planned giving method that best suits your wishes and circumstances.

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Sponsoring a Home

Your company, church or civic organization can make a difference by sponsoring a house financially, providing volunteer labor, or some combination of both. As of 2007, the sponsorship cost for one house is $55,000. It takes 2,500 volunteer hours to build a house.

We enthusiastically encourage creative approaches in putting sponsorships together! In 2006, Southern Community Bank and Greater Cleveland Avenue Church divided the total cost of a house. For another home, 84 Lumber Co. provided materials, and First Christian Church contributed cash.

Labor-only sponsorships are available as well. Each year, for example, Habitat’s Birdfest event provides the cash for one house. In 2006, three local United Methodist churches provided the labor.

Many organizations have found that providing volunteer labor for even one day is a rewarding experience. Volunteering on site strengthens teamwork and morale and allows your organization to give back to the community in a very tangible way.

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In-Kind Gifts

Businesses can also provide in-kind donations that help us in our building effort. These gifts help us keep the cost of house building as low as possible, allowing more homes to be built for more families.

Our “wish list” includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Land
• Pick-up trucks or vans
• Printing services
• Graphic design services
• Office supplies
• Water, soda and food for site volunteers
• Volunteers to speak on behalf of Habitat
• Committee volunteers
• House dedication party sponsors
• Computers or laptops with CD-Rom drives
• Opportunities to tell your group about Habitat!

Adopt-A-Lot

For a gift of $5,000, you can become an Adopt-A-Lot sponsor, actually supporting the acquisition and development of the lot on which a family’s home will be constructed.

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