Thrivent Financial Grant

Fillmore County Habitat for Humanity joins national home-building effort in 2010

Funding awarded for one home in Rushford and 2,000th home celebrated in Minnesota

Fillmore County Habitat for Humanity learned recently that it has been awarded $81,575 to build one home in Rushford. This grant, providing 65 percent of the cost of construction, comes from Minneapolis-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans because of that organization’s unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.

Fillmore County Habitat for Humanity is celebrating their award in conjunction with an international milestone that was observed Dec. 4, 2009, in Minneapolis, Minn., when the 2,000th Thrivent Builds home (worldwide) was dedicated. Construction also began on the 2,001st home, kicking off the start of the 2010 partnership between the two entities.

The four-year Thrivent Builds alliance was announced in September, 2005 and has helped construct approximately six percent of Habitat homes built in the United States from 2006 through 2009. Ongoing in 2010, the Thrivent Builds partnership continues to ensure Thrivent Financial as one of the largest non-government supporters of Habitat for Humanity International.

At the December 4th event in Minneapolis, Thrivent Financial announced its commitment of an additional $15 million to Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in 2010, continuing its support of Habitat’s mission for a fifth year and raising its cumulative support over five years to $140 million. The 2010 commitment will make possible the construction of 181 homes in 37 states, including the home built by Fillmore County Habitat in Rushford.

“The Thrivent Builds alliance is helping Fillmore County Habitat increase the number of families served in our community,” said Nancy Iglesias, Executive Director. “We are so grateful for Thrivent’s support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.”

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a four-year $125 million alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. The alliance makes Thrivent Financial one of Habitat’s largest allies and aims to increase Habitat’s annual house production by hundreds of homes per year. To date, 2,000 homes have been built in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries. For more information, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.