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 God's children in need.

Does Frederick County have its own Habitat affiliate?

Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD is an affiliate of Habitat International. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Our affiliate builds homes and provides interest-free mortgage loans for qualified partner families in Frederick County and Frederick City.

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 and three standing committees, help staff the office, and assist in building the homes.  We have paid full-time staff including - executive director, construction manager, ReStore manager, ReStore staff and financial manager. Habitat relies on our community partners - individuals, churches, 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.  At our Web site,www.frederickhabitat.org, you can check out our latest volunteer opportunities, read about our affiliate and its work, or make a donation. 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 board committee. We welcome donations of money, materials and land, or to a program that benefits our affiliate.

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 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. 
1.      Checks can be made out to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, and sent to our office. 
2.      Credit Card donations are accepted through Network for Good. Please make sure to select “I want to donate” and enter Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County in “Charity Name” of the Advanced Search section
3.      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. 

Land Donations:

Landowners can donate land to Habitat even if they no longer have subdivision rights.  Such land donations are tax-deductible.  Habitat will handle all aspects of the transaction at no costs to the donor.
1) Full Donation. Habitat will cover all the related expenses to make your gift a reality. You get the tax write-off.
2) Partial Donation. Habitat pays a percentage of the land value and you donate the remaining tax-deductible value. 
3) Outright Purchase. In some cases, Habitat will purchase the land at full value.
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 its 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    Carpenter’s Club:  Help build it!

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 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 to the building of their home and can include but are not limited to working on the build site and volunteering at Habitat events.