Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation announced a $1 million grant award to Rebuilding Together. As part of this partnership, Rebuilding Together will use the grant to complete critical home repairs for low-income families nationwide, with a special focus on energy efficiency and home accessibility components.  The partnership goal is to complete approximately 35 projects on Make a Difference Day, October 24, a national day of helping others.  These projects will also support a Lowe's Employee Volunteer Day, and Lowe's employees will participate in rebuild projects around the country. Grant funding will support Rebuilding Together's AmeriCorps program that supports tomorrow's future leaders, program development and building at more than 30 affiliate sites. 

Rebuilding Together Supports House Bill to Expand NSP Funds
From the National Low-Income Housing Coalition  www.nilhc.org "Representative Michael Turner (R-OH) introduced H.R. 3204 on July 14. The bill would authorize states and localities receiving assistance under HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to use funds for renovating owner-occupied housing of low income families. It would amend the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, which authorized the first round of NSP funds, by inserting the following paragraph regarding eligible use of NSP funds: "renovate single-family housing that is owned and occupied as a principal residence by a family whose income does not exceed 80% of the median income of the area in which the housing is located, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families."   For more information, contact Lars Peterson at lpeterson@rebuildingtogether.org; 202-518-3503.

Rebuilding Together Participates in White House Initiative
We are proud to announce that Rebuilding Together will be participating in President Obama's call to service to participate in the United We Serve campaign this summer.  The campaign will culminate with a national day of service on September 11.  On this date, we are encouraging all of our affiliates currently working with AmeriCorps Members to host a community outreach project to provide energy efficiency educational materials and outreach to 50,000 low-income homeowners and their families across the country.

Gary Officer and John White recently met with Pastor Joshua DuBois, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The Council is responsible for engaging mission based nonprofit organizations whose work surrounds the housing and economic development issues across the U.S.  Rebuilding Together provided Pastor Dubois with an overview of the organization and specifically discussed how the Rebuilding Together Network addresses housing issues the administration is looking to ratify and provide funding for.

 

Remember Rebuilding Together in 2010 Planning
Now is the time of year many companies are beginning to think about their 2010 budgets.  As you consider the best use of your marketing and philanthropic funds, please consider Rebuilding Together as a partner in 2010.  We believe that there is not a single approach that is right for every sponsor and their needs.  While we have general guidelines for sponsorship benefits, our team will work hard with your company to tailor additional opportunities and benefits that meet your specific interests and goals.  For more information, contact Jennifer Shreve at jshreve@rebuildingtogether.org; 202-518-3121.