Framing Our Future
GDM Habitat for Humanity launches $10.5 million Framing Our Future capital campaign, announces lead gift from American Equity.
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity announced the Framing Our Future capital campaign, a $10.5 million fundraising initiative. The campaign, the largest in GDM Habitat’s history, is focused on ensuring that all Central Iowans have the stability that comes with an affordable and well-located home.
Prior to the recent launch, the campaign has raised more than $7.6 million—more than 70 percent of its goal—through the generous support of Central Iowa philanthropists, corporate partners, and foundations.
Framing Our Future will provide a strong financial foundation for several key organizational priorities, each of which increases the supply of affordable homeownership opportunities and sets GDM Habitat up to continue to innovate:
- Increasing the supply of housing near jobs through two workforce housing developments
- Creating new, meaningful homeownership opportunities in response to a shortage of affordable units
- Acquiring land in areas of greater opportunity for future development, while continuing to invest in GDM Habitat’s traditional target neighborhoods
- Setting the stage for collaborative mixed-income developments and innovative multi-family housing products
- Moving households to homeownership through a new pathway: Habitat Direct
- Ensuring financial stability and improving quality of life for current homeowners through investment in Home Preservation repair and modification projects.
The Need for Affordable Homeownership
The cost of homeownership has continued to rise at an untenable pace, leaving tens of thousands of Central Iowans priced out. In our metro area, one in eight households spends half or more of their income on housing. Low wages and rapidly rising costs are squeezing budgets, forcing families to make tough choices between paying for housing, health care, food, and transportation. One unexpected expense—a visit to a pediatrician or a flat tire, for example—can send a family hurtling toward eviction or even homelessness.
Habitat homebuyers are employed in key industries throughout our communities, including as health care professionals, first responders, retail workers, childcare providers, teachers, those who work in manufacturing and agriculture, and more. The Framing Our Future campaign supports GDM Habitat’s efforts to create, preserve, and champion affordable homeownership for all of our neighbors.
“At GDM Habitat we have the knowledge, skills, and experience to innovate and drive toward the solution,” said Lance Henning, CEO of GDM Habitat. “We have the vision to create new and effective programming. Now, through the Framing Our Future capital campaign, we need the community’s help to take the next step and make our vision a reality.”
Since its founding in 1986, GDM Habitat has created nearly 500 affordable homeownership opportunities, provided critical repairs and modifications for more than 2,300 households, and served more than 300 households through housing counseling and financial education. Habitat for Humanity International has recognized GDM Habitat’s critical impact, ranking the affiliate 4th in the country for families served among more than 1,200 affiliates last year.
American Equity commits $1.5 million lead gift
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company has committed the campaign’s lead gift, an incredible $1.5 million commitment to affordable homeownership.
This major gift, the largest ever committed to GDM Habitat by a Central Iowa-based company, singlehandedly fulfills nearly 15 percent of the campaign’s goal. It also serves as a strong endorsement of GDM Habitat’s mission, work, and track record of innovation.
American Equity’s campaign gift is the latest chapter in their years of ongoing partnership with GDM Habitat’s work in Central Iowa. The West Des Moines-based company has provided financial and volunteer support for years, including through sponsoring home repair events and more than 2,250 hours of employee volunteer time.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Kemin Industries provide key gifts
Two of GDM Habitat’s longest tenured corporate partners each committed $1 million key gifts to the Framing Our Future campaign, providing strong endorsements of the campaign and its priorities, as well as of Habitat’s mission.
Kemin Industries and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines have each provided financial and volunteer support to GDM Habitat for years. In addition, both organizations have provided significant leadership through service on GDM Habitat’s Board of Directors.
“Every Habitat home is created in partnership with local families, volunteers, and community partners like American Equity, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and Kemin Industries,” said Lance Henning, CEO of GDM Habitat. “We’ve been able to rely on these important partners in the past, and their vote of confidence in this campaign and in Habitat shows that those partnerships will continue to impact Central Iowa families on into the future.”
Framing Our Future Capital Campaign Leadership
- Co-Chairs
- Linda & Chris Nelson Honorary Co-Chairs
- Mary Lou & Gerry Neugent Campaign Co-Chairs
- Tanner & Emily Kinzler Campaign Co-Chairs
- Endorsement Council
- Marta Codina & Jim Bruno
- Don & Mary Coffin
- Chris & Breanne Costa
- Cara & Kurt Heiden
- Scott & Natausha Jean
- Cathy & Steve Lacy
- Mike & Rhonda McCoy
- Holly & Darren Rebelez
- Dotty Thurston
- Kris Williams
- Rich & Kim Willis
- Campaign Cabinet
- Nataliya Boychenko Stone
- Kelly Caldbeck
- Jenna Kimberley
- Jodi Kness
- Dave Ling
- Cole McClelland
- Katherine Saunders
- Don Seibel
- Tina Smith Fritz
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to put God’s love into action, bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. GDM Habitat’s programs include construction of new, affordable homes for qualifying families; neighborhood revitalization through home preservation repairs; housing counseling; and financial education classes. Each one of our programs supports the self-sufficiency and stability of partnering families, leading to more resilient households and a stronger Greater Des Moines community. To learn more about GDM Habitat, visit www.gdmhabitat.org.