Introduction
Investing in non-profit organizations is a voluntary act that provides assistance to the beneficiaries in the form of money, time or resources. This is a selfless act in which people and organizations benefit from as it creates a positive impact in a community. Habitat for Humanity is a licensed non-profit organization that aims at providing homes for the underprivileged communities across the world. The organization partners with donors and investors to build decent housing for some of the world’s poorest communities. The organization was founded by Linda Fuller and Millard Fuller in 1976, and its headquarters are situated in Americus, Georgia in the United States. Habitat for Humanity International, is constantly seeking to work with donors and partners in order to come with sustainable solutions that would enable it to develop adequate housing that is decent, accessible and affordable for everybody. Thus, Habitat for Humanity’s vision is “ A world where everyone has a decent place to live” ( https://www.habitat.org/emea/about ). Organizations and individuals that support non-profit organizations to fulfill their vision by volunteering, being partners of donating resources assist the beneficiaries in completing their projects.
Why you should invest in Habitat for Humanity International
Supporting non-profit organizations contributes to the positive development of a community. As a non-governmental institution, Habitat for Humanity International invests in activities that “relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development” (Israel, 1991). Thus, by supporting the local, national or international activities of Habitat for Humanity, individuals and institutions contribute to the development of communities globally through the provision of affordable housing solutions for low-income families. The organization has established itself in the world for 40 years with strong commitments to developing the communities. Since its existence, Habitat for Humanity has developed homes for over one million families or seven million people. Supporting its initiatives means that you will be in the forefront to uplift the disadvantaged communities across the world.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The act of giving the needy people through organizations attracts social returns within the society. Partnering up with Habitat for Humanity is a fruitful way of investing ones time, resources or money to ensure that vulnerable communities across the world are in a better position to succeed. The resources invested in the organization’s activities will not only ensure that it is able to fulfill its primary objectives and vision, but will also improve the livelihood of the affected communities by contributing in the development of housing solutions. According to Habitat for Humanity website the organization is committed to “build, repair and renovate homes” for local communities that lack proper housing. Therefore, Habitat for Humanity your investments have the chance to do for communities across the world while changing the lives of many people.
Habitat for Humanity works with approximately two million donors, volunteers and partners annually to build affordable and sustainable housing structures for hundreds of families globally. Therefore, by being part of this team you are part of the people that are introducing chance in the local communities that lack proper housing. According to Habitat for Humanity at least one in every four people worldwide occupies poverty-level housing. This is a statistic that Habitat for Humanity is committed to directly eliminate by improving the housing conditions in various locations in the world. Therefore, by volunteering to work with Habitat for Humanity you commit yourself to eliminating one of the major problems affecting poor communities in the world. Each person or organization that supports Habitat for Humanity in its efforts has enabled it to provide affordable and sustainable housing units for families within the local communities.
Each of the resources invested will enable the organization to more without the burden of lacking. Donors and partners are welcomed to assist the organization through donating building resources, financial aid, or volunteering their time to work on some of the projects. As mentioned by McKelvey and Grady (2008), supporting non-profit organizations is a form of sponsorship that allows individuals to put in their money or efforts in order to ensure that the non-profit organization succeeds in its endeavors. Habitat for Humanity works together with its investors and volunteers to provide housing solutions for the different problems that local communities face. By volunteering or investing your resources in the organization, you are assisting Habitat for Humanity to seek sufficient housing solutions for communities efficiently and effectively.
Corporations are encouraged to partner up with Habitat for Humanity to access the social returns that are associated with their contribution to the organization’s charity works. Corporate sponsorship will not only be beneficial for the non-profit organizations and its beneficiaries, but will also be a positive gesture for profitable organizations. Ditlev-Simonsen (2017) affirms that corporate sponsorship acts as a marketing strategy in which the corporation is allowed to pay for some of the costs linked to a project or program. Consequently, by offering corporate sponsorship, the company can get its logo, services or products recognized. Therefore, corporate sponsorship towards Habitat for Humanity will provide international exposure for the donor company. Since Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization, corporations that sponsor its initiatives will gain global recognition and increase the market share for its products and services. The corporations will be able to reach millions of people across the world, as their logo will be used in some of the housing projects and programs that they have sponsored in association with Habitat for Humanity. Thus, corporations are encouraged to offer financial aid, volunteer some of its staff or provide building resources. The money donated by corporations will assist future homeowners to pay subsidized mortgage fees.
Business corporations that invest in non-profit organizations develop a quality investment portfolio that strengthens their brand image. This means that if a company invests in programs and projects run by Habitat for Humanity they are likely to increase their revenue income through the recognition gained the partnership. Mckelvey and Grady (2008) affirm that sponsoring companies consider sponsorship as an effective marketing strategy. This is because companies benefit from free marketing as their brand name and logo are visible in most of the ongoing projects and programs by Habitat for Humanity. The investment benefits associated with investing in Habitat for Humanity may assist a business corporation in attaining a high investment returns while making a positive social impact in the society. Furthermore, Business Corporations should consider investing in Habitat for Humanity as another form of corporate social responsibility. According to Souto (2009), corporate social responsibility can be used by an organization as a business strategy to improve the different areas of its activities. Investing in the housing projects by Habitat for Humanity can be perceived as a business strategy that will benefit a business corporation in the long run.
The homes developed by Habitat for Humanity are not entirely for free as homeowners are encouraged to pay a substantial amount of mortgage fees and the closing costs. Therefore, by investing in the organization’s projects and programs you are contributing to the economic development of a given community. The owners of Habitat homes pay minimal interest to their mortgages, whereby the payments are priced affordably to match the family’s income. Consequently, the money collected from these payments is used to enhance the living conditions of the surrounding communities.
Habitat for Humanity International is a remarkable organization that continues to defy the odds and improve the livelihood of many people. Investing or volunteering in this organization provides an individual or corporation with the opportunity to advocate for legislations that focus on improving the quality of the local housing market for poor families. In addition to this, the resources donated to the organization enable its volunteers to provide disaster relief to populations that are in desperate need. It has been able to provide sustainable housing to affected regions by building “energy efficient homes, provide water and sanitation solutions, mitigate effects of disasters and support housing microfinance loans” ( https://www.habitat.org/emea/about ). Therefore, with your assistance, the organization will continue to influence the way housing solutions are provided to low income homes.
Habitat for Humanity cannot solve the housing problems experienced in different parts of the world by itself. The organization requires the assistance of beneficiaries, volunteers and partners to contribute their efforts in building decent homes for the millions of people who continue to suffer under poor living conditions. Banks et al. (2015) affirm that the external stakeholders that support the activities of an NGO strengthen the governing agendas of the non-profit organization as well as the beneficiaries. Therefore, committing to help Habitat for Humanity will not only strengthen their policies and objectives but will also enables the organization in identifying substantial channels and strategies that will fill the gap in service delivery. In this case, Habitat for Humanity will work together with its potential donors and partners to address the shelter issues. The organization aims at utilizing the resources provided by its sponsors, volunteers and financial aids to assess, prioritize and fund the local, national and international communities that lack proper housing units.
Partnering with a non-profit organization is a mutually beneficial act for the NGO and the donor, partner or volunteer. Choi and Kim (2011) define partnership as an act that mutually benefits the common goals and shared intentions of the concerned actors. For an individual, investing their resources in assisting Habitat for Humanity in its endeavors they contribute in changing the community through development as well as gain personal fulfillment from assisting the less fortunate. Hur (2006) asserts that participating in charity work is a selfless act that improves the self-esteem and self-worth of an individual, since an individual feels good after giving. Being in a position that allows you to assist the less fortunate enables you to attain a certain level of personal satisfaction and growth. Thus, Habitat for Humanity provides its donors, volunteers and partners with the chance to achieve a greater sense of gratification by participating as active actors in their missions.
Conclusion
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing housing solutions to communities that are in need. Therefore, through your assistance the organization is likely to fulfill its vision and objectives. There are millions of people across the world that are not privileged to have decent homes and are affected by their respective shelter issues; partnering with Habitat for Humanity provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in a person’s life. This is your chance to take a stand and make a difference in the world through community development; therefore, will you take the initiative and support Habitat for Humanity in creating affordable housing for the poor or will you sit back and watch?
References
Banks, N., Hulmea, D. & Edwards, M. (2015). NGOs, States, and Donors Revisited: Still Too Close for Comfort? World Development. Volume 66, February 2015, Pages 707-718
Choi, N. & Kim, J. (2011). The effect of time volunteering and charitable donations in later life on psychological wellbeing. Ageing and Society, 31, pp 590-610 doi:10.1017/S0144686X10001224
Ditlev-Simonsen, V. C. (2017). Beyond sponsorship - exploring the impact of cooperation between corporations and NGOs. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility ; volume 2, Article number: 6
https://www.habitat.org/emea/abou t
https://www.habitat.org/emea/about/partner
Hur, M. H. 2006. Exploring the motivation factors of charitable giving and their value structure : a case study of Seoul, Korea. Social Behavior and Personality, 34, 6, 661–80.
Israel, P. (1991). Nongovernmental organizations and the World Bank : cooperation for development (English) . World Bank regional and sectoral studies. Washington,DC : The World Bank. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/786111468765591642/Nongovernmental-organizations-and-the-World-Bank-cooperation-for-development
Mckelvey, S., & Grady, J. (2008). Sponsorship Program Protection Strategies for Special Sport Events: Are Event Organizers Outmaneuvering Ambush Marketers? Journal of Sport Management, 22 (5), 550–86.
Souto, B. F.-F. (2009). Crisis and Corporate Social Responsibility: Threat or Opportunity? International Journal of Economic Sciences and Applied Research , 36-50
