FAQs
What is Habitat for Humanity? 
Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Local affiliates work in their communities to help families in need.
When did the Frederick affiliate start?
Recognizing the need for affordable housing in Frederick, Church Women United founded the local affiliate in 1993.
How does Habitat of Frederick County carry out its mission?
Habitat depends on volunteers, who serve on the Board of Directors, committees, work at the ReStore, help staff the office, and assist in building and renovating the homes. We have paid full-time staff including - executive director, construction manager, financial manager, ReStore manager and assistant manager. Habitat relies on our community partners - individuals, religious organizations, foundations and businesses - for financial support.
How do I contact Habitat?
You can contact Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD at (301) 698-2449 or info@frederickhabitat.org. You can also contact Habitat for Humanity International at www.habitat.org.
What can I do to help?
We have a variety of ways to help and support our mission. Please consider volunteering on a house build, at the ReStore, at a special event or on a Habitat committee. We welcome and gratefully appreciate donations that further our mission.
Volunteering
How can I volunteer?
You may volunteer on a house build, in the office, at the ReStore, at an event, or on a committee. Please register to view our calendar of activities and receive emails regarding upcoming opportunities. Go to the Volunteer tab on this site and click on the VolunteerUp button to go to the calendar. Click “Log on” and register. You may also contact us with any questions or for further information.
Are there volunteering restrictions?
Yes, due to federal regulations, volunteers at our building sites must be at least 16 years of age and must obtain a parent’s signature on the participation waiver. If you would like to participate, please contact us prior to arriving on site to confirm age-appropriate work is scheduled.
What can I do if I’m not old enough to work at the building site?
Consider participating in our A Brush With Kindness program improving the yards and exteriors of homes of people in need. Also fundraising and community awareness campaigns regarding the need for affordable housing in our county are encouraged. We welcome any ideas you may have. You may also want to visit Habitat for Humanity International’s Web site youth section for ideas, games, and programs.
Donating
How can I donate?
You can make a donation of money, materials or land. Or you can donate through one of the special programs that benefits our affiliate. Donations of any amount--even the very smallest--are welcome and important. They all help provide decent affordable housing to those in need.
Money Donations:
Financial support can take various forms: a one-time gift; money given regularly on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis; or through your Employee Charitable Contributions. Bequests are also welcomed. Please contact us with any questions or for further information.
- Checks can be made out to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, and sent to our office.
- Credit Card donations are accepted here with our Donate Now button.
- Employee Charitable Contributions can be designated for Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD. Here are the Employee Charitable Contributions numbers to designate Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County: Federal employees-68882; Maryland employees-6143; Frederick County/City/Board of Education employees-0850. Our tax ID number is 52 - 1820647.
- Legacy Gifts. Please call Frederick Habitat Executive Director or Financial Manager for more information.
Land Donations:
Landowners can donate land to Habitat even if they no longer have subdivision rights. These land donations are tax-deductible. Habitat will handle all aspects of the transaction at no costs to the donor.
We accept land through:
- Full donation. Habitat will cover all the related expenses to make your gift a reality. You get the tax write-off.
- Partial donation. Habitat pays a percentage of the value of the land and you donate the remaining value which is tax-deductible.
- Outright purchase. In some cases, Habitat will purchase the land at full value.
A little known section of the Frederick County Code also allows property owners in agricultural zoning districts where residential uses are permitted to subdivide acreage and set aside a lot for affordable housing.
Building Materials and Appliances
Habitat gladly accepts new and used building materials through our Habitat ReStore.
Program Donations:
There are several programs that benefit our affiliate:
o Cars for Homes™: Managed through Habitat International. Visit the Cars for Homes site to make donations of cars, trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, motorcycles or other motorized vehicles. These donations will generate income for Habitat of Frederick. Donations may be tax deductible.
o Community Foundation of Frederick County
Partner Families
How do you become a Partner Family?
The homeownership program is based upon the concept of partnership. Habitat commits to working with the local community and the selected family to build or renovate decent houses and sell them to qualified families with a 0% interest mortgage.
Partner families must contribute “sweat equity” before purchasing the home, attend homeownership workshops, follow program guidelines, and repay the mortgage. The Partner Family Standing Committee of the Board helps families with homeownership issues before and after settlement, providing guidance and encouragement, and assigning the partner family a mentor from our Family Nurturing Committee. For more information on guidelines and to receive an application, please contact the Habitat office, (301) 698-2449 or email us at info@frederickhabitat.org.
What are “sweat equity” hours?
Sweat Equity hours are the time the partner family contributes volunteering for Habitat. They can include but are not limited to working on the build site, their home or others, helping at the Habitat ReStore and volunteering at Habitat events.
Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
2 East Church Street, Frederick MD 21701
301-698-2449 | info@frederickhabitat.org