Danville Regional Foundation Announces $13,500 Grant to Habitat for Humanity
June 23, 2010 - The Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) announced today it will grant $13,500 to the Danville Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity to fund a ReStore expansion feasibility study.
"This is another opportunity to increase the capacity of a regional organization by helping them develop a better business model in the present economic climate," said Wendi G. Everson, DRF Program Officer. "This is aligned with the Foundation's mission because Habitat for Humanity helps build assets of low wealth residents by creating access to equity through an affordable housing program."
The study - which will be conducted by the Southside Business Technology Center - will help determine whether the ReStore has the capacity to develop a self-sustaining enterprise, which is capable of contributing 50 percent of the annual construction budget over the next three years. The study will also include a marketing plan for the organization. Work will begin July 1 and is expected to be complete by December 31, according to Everson.
"This grant is a tremendous step forward for our organization in that ReStore plays a vital part in the long-term sustainability to continue to help citizens afford housing," said Marlin Yoder, Executive Director of Danville-Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity.
The ReStore - which encourages the re-use and recycling of items that are perfectly good that the owner can't use anymore - is growing across the county. Danville opened its ReStore several years ago. It offers such items as tile, carpet, hardwood, appliances, doors, appliances and other home building materials collected from community donors.
"The study will assess where we are, what we can achieve through an expansion, and provide a roadmap for how to reach our full potential," Yoder added.
Southside Business Technology Center received a multi-year grant to help the center launch its services to encourage and support new business growth in the region. To date, it has helped over 100 entrepreneurs, nonprofits and economic development entities, according to Karl Stauber, DRF's CEO and President.
"This is another excellent example of what we can accomplish through collaborative partnerships and working together to build a brighter future," said Stauber.
"We applaud Habitat for Humanity for its visionary approach and desire to be the best it can be to serve the needs of citizens throughout the region."
About Danville Regional Foundation
DRF focuses on transforming the regional economy and creating a prosperous culture to benefit all Dan River citizens. It does this by making long-term investments to improve education, economic vitality, community wellness, financial stability and civic capacity for citizens throughout the City of Danville, Virginia; Pittsylvania County, Virginia; and Caswell County, North Carolina. Since its establishment in 2005, DRF has invested more than $40 million through over 40 grants. DRF is committed to fostering collaboration, establishing partnerships and working across borders and with many types or organizations to rethink tomorrow and create solutions, positioning the Dan River Region as a place of opportunities. DRF encourages and supports new approaches, and believes that initiative and courage to view things from fresh and different perspectives enables everyone working "Together to Build a Brighter Future."
About Danville Pittsylvania Habitat for Humanity
Danville Pittsylvania Habitat for Humanity is an inter-faith self-help housing ministry. It is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization created in Danville in 1991. In partnership with low-income working families, Habitat strives to eliminate substandard housing in Danville and Pittsylvania County by being a major supplier of safe, simple, and decent affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity has three major programs; they are affordable housing, homeownership education and the ReStore. The ReStore is a resale outlet that sells reusable and surplus building materials.
About Southside Business Technology Center
SBTC provides business consulting services to advance economic growth in Southside Virginia. SBTC helps entrepreneurs enhance their knowledge of business management through the development of high-quality business projects, individual consultations and seminars tailored to specific client needs. The Southside Business Technology Center also helps businesses obtain data and analysis that is generally unobtainable to them on their own.