We’re excited to announce our new multiyear Good Will Works partnership with the Chicago chapter of Habitat for Humanity. This collaboration, which we’re calling A Partnership for Good, truly aligns with our vision of empowering homeownership to strengthen communities and gives us the ability to directly contribute to the causes we’re passionate about: fair housing, financial empowerment, and racial equity.
We’re committed to providing a total of $500,000 over the course of three years to support four main areas of programming that go beyond building homes:
Sharing Knowledge Through Homebuyer University
Homebuyer University is a public course through Habitat Chicago that empowers community members with the knowledge they need to achieve homeownership. Not only does our financial contribution make it possible for 25 additional families to prepare for homeownership, people from across our family of services have the opportunity to volunteer as an instructor and share their real estate expertise.
Building Up Affordable Homeownership
Habitat for Humanity Chicago is known for building new affordable, energy-efficient single-family homes with quality materials. Families who participate in the program are able to purchase a safe home with an affordable mortgage. Our Winnetka office has hosted several successful build days and fundraisers over the years — now we’re taking it a step further and committing to 1-2 companywide build days a year!
Improving Communities with the Neighborhood Grants Initiative
Just like us, Habitat for Humanity believes that nobody knows what a community needs better than the people who live there. The Neighborhood Grants Initiative provides direct microgrants to community members so they can complete rehab projects they think are important to their community. With our contribution, approximately 100 projects will be completed, engaging nearly 10,000 residents!
Learning The History of Race and Housing
We envision a future where everyone has access to safe, affordable, long lasting housing — and part of achieving that future is understanding the history of fair housing and how discriminatory policies have lasting impacts. Through Habitat For Good, we’ll support Habitat Chicago’s new Race and Housing series which aims to educate on these issues and to create awareness about the links between homeownership and racial equity.
“Whether participating in new home builds or volunteering time to educate first-time homebuyers, Baird & Warner agents and employees have long had an affinity for the mission of Habitat for Humanity Chicago as it aligns with our goal to eliminate housing barriers and extend homeownership opportunities to all,” said Steve Baird. “With Habitat, we decided to take our dedication to the cause further and continue our 167-year legacy of doing the right thing and make an even greater impact across Chicagoland.”
Since 2002, Good Will Works has donated over $3 million to Chicagoland not-for-profits focused on housing-related causes. Through company-wide volunteer opportunities, office initiatives and a unique Volunteer Time Off program, Baird & Warner agents, loan officers and staff have volunteered thousands of hours of their time to organizations making a difference in communities.
For more information about how we give back through Good Will Works charitable, visit bairdwarner.com/what-we-believe.
