The Northern New York Community Foundation has made a grant of $25,000 to assist the Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity with the start-up costs for a new permanent home for the organization and to open a ReStore at that location. Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity has helped provide decent, affordable housing to families in Jefferson and Lewis counties for almost 25 years. Habitat affiliates across the country have opened ReStores that accept donations of new and gently used home improvement materials, appliances, furniture, and other items and resell them to the public at discount prices. Revenue from these sales is used to assist in the various operations, programs, and most importantly, building project costs. Thousand Island Area Habitat for Humanity expects its ReStore to open this spring.
Additionally, a $10,000 matching grant was awarded to establish a permanent endowment fund for the organization at the Community Foundation. The endowment fund will provide an extra source of sustainable income for the agency in perpetuity.
“Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity is honored to receive this funding from Northern New York Community Foundation. It is critical to our starting up a new program, which will be an asset to serve more families in Jefferson and Lewis counties. The primary goal is to raise a funding source to make homeownership opportunity affordable for low income families. The ReStore will also re-purpose items for the community, reduce landfill waste and be an opportunity to employ new personnel,” said Brian Drappo, Executive Director of Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity.
“We are pleased to be able to be on the early stages of helping Habitat for Humanity advance the work they do to make our community a better place and make home ownership a more affordable reality for our friends and neighbors. With both ReStore and the new endowment fund, I believe they will be better positioned to continue their good work for a long time to come.” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation Executive Director.
Those wishing to contribute to the endowment fund and have their gift doubled, may make a gift to: Northern New York Community Foundation and write “TI Area Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund” in the memo line. Contributions may be mailed to the Foundation at 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, or online at www.nnycf.org.
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.