2024 Charitable Partner Habitat for Humanity

Each year our employees come together to amplify the impact of a nonprofit partner, improving lives and building community.

Browning approached our commitment to Habitat this year through a trifecta of engagement: the 11th Annual Women Build, 2nd Annual CEO Build, and Browning hosted two build days for our employees.

Women Build

The Habitat for Humanity Women Build program recruits, educates, and encourages women to build and advocate for decent and affordable houses in their communities. In addition to physically building these homes, Women Build’s builders provide all the funding by calling on their friends and family to support them and the mission. In total, the Greater Indy Women Build has brought in nearly 18,000 donations, totaling more than 2 million dollars.  Vice President of Development Chelsea Leiter Thompson led the Moxie & Mortar team, which included some of her coworkers, and her team was one of 2024’s top fundraisers. https://indyhabitat.org/women-build/

CEO Build

Browning was one of the sponsors for the second annual CEO Build, and John Hirschman rolled his sleeves alongside 20 other community leaders. During the event, CEOs tackled numerous tasks, including interior framing, window and door installation, and prepping exterior siding for homebuyer Paul and his family. https://indyhabitat.org/2nd-annual-ceo-build/

Browning Days of Service

We chose the closest house to one of our project sites and worked on two neighboring houses in Cottage Home,  just up the Pleasant Run Trail from our Aequitas Professional Building.  We installed trim, shelving, and something that required us to lure Chief Development Officer Adam Chavers into the crawlspace… for reasons.

Along with our volunteer hours, we donated $12,500 to Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity to help them build more houses in our community!

How is Browning involved with this organization?

Browning strives to break new ground by changing how projects can not only enhance the built environment but also support growth and vibrancy for the communities where we work.  We chose the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity as our Charitable Partner of the Year based on our Corporate Giving Priority Areas and working with Habitat checked all the boxes!

BE EMPOWERED – SUPPORTING EMPLOYEE INITIATIVES

We had employees volunteering, donating, and even leading a successful Women’s Build team before Browning’s involvement.

BE SAFE – HUMANITARIAN AND SOCIAL PROJECTS

Habitat helps provide safety and security through one of the most basic needs: affordable housing. Housing is important to the quality of life, health, and economic prosperity of local families and the entire community.

BE ADMIRABLE – EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSTRUCTION AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Although our official partner was Habitat, we still offered BY graduates, current students, and staff the opportunity to build with us given the enthusiasm last year.

BE EXCELLENT – BUILDING COMMUNITY NEAR JOB SITES

We volunteered on projects a couple of miles from our Aequitas Professional Building at the Community Justice Campus.

Meet our 2024 Charitable Partner

Habitat for Humanity

We are passionate about Habitat for Humanity’s mission of “ bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.” Greater Indy Habitat unites the community with people in need to provide the life-changing opportunity to purchase and own simple, quality, affordable homes. Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.   Research shows their homeownership program leads to benefits beyond housing, including improved mental health, a decreased reliance on social services, and improved academic achievement of children.

Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.  With support from volunteers, donors, and community support, we provide a quality, affordable home for local families. Selected Habitat homebuyers pay a modest down payment, invest 200 hours of “sweat equity,” which includes the construction of their home, and are responsible for 0% interest monthly mortgage payments and home maintenance.

Through Habitat University, the homeownership education program and financial counseling, Habitat homebuyers are given the tools to be successful in this life-changing endeavor.

More Ways to Get Involved with Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Join us and donate – Your gift provides affordable housing for local families in need, providing them with shelter and hope of a better life.   https://give.indyhabitat.org/give/

Lend a hand or donate to the Habitat ReStore – What is a ReStore?  They sell donated new and gently used household items, including cabinets, appliances, furniture, doors, building materials, and more, with store proceeds supporting the Habitat mission.  They accept donations at the store, or you can request a pick-up.  You can even donate items from your business. With locations in West Washington, Avon, Fishers, and Greenfield, this is a great place if you remodel or refresh your home to donate or purchase just what you need. https://indyrestore.com/ 

Volunteer – You can volunteer as an individual or as a group.  If you’ve got strong DIY skills or just aspirations, they have a place for you.  No experience is necessary! All you need to bring is your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and they will guide you on everything you need to know.  (Trust us, we aren’t all handy folks here at the office…)

Become a TIGER! Did you see those snazzy orange shirts in our photos?  They belong to the Tiger Team members. A “Tiger” is a volunteer committed and dedicated to helping Greater Indy Habitat achieve its mission by consistently contributing time and skill. No experience is required, and each Tiger is orientated to become an advocate and knowledgeable representative of Greater Indy Habitat.

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