Recently we sent a survey to all donors asking for their thoughts and feedback in various areas of our organization. Knowing it’s imperative that we listen to our donors so that we may capitalize on what we are doing properly and change those areas in which they feel we are failing them.

As it’s only been a week, the preliminary returns are most inspiring:

Which of our programs are most important?

To what degree do you feel your donation(s) have made an impact in our community's affordable housing issues?

What is your preferred type of gift?

The list of other ways included, overwhelmingly, volunteering and cash, time and talent, household necessities, and supporting events.

How would you prefer we communicate with you?

The survey is 11 questions and takes about 3 minutes to complete.  We would so appreciate, if you haven’t already responded, that you take a few minutes and do so.

The survey can be found by clicking this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QTBYHQB

One of the most valuable services businesses can provide to a small nonprofit are third party fundraisers.  Most smaller nonprofits have limited staff with which to plan events. For example, they lack financial and manpower resources to plan and execute them, so when a business comes along and says, “We want to do this for you”, we wholeheartedly say “Yes Please!!”

The folks at Steel Bender Brewyard did just that proposing a golf tournament and silent auction at Topgolf in Albuquerque. Steel Bender Brewyard’s Matt Meier and Shelby Chant have spent the past few months planning the day’s activities and boy what a day it will be. 

Some highlights include tournament play for teams up to six people, silent auction items, a live remote with 94 Rock, a chance to win a brand-new car on a hole in one, live music from Dirty Brown Jug Band, onsite commemorative t-shirt printing, food and Steel Bender Brewyard Beer. 

Steel Bender Brewyard is a locally owned, industrial-chic taproom featuring pub grub such as burgers & brats & its own brand of beers on tap.

The event runs from 1-5pm on Sunday June 4th.  All are welcome and you can learn more and register to attend here:  https://bit.ly/BHHPT

And remember, this is a family event so feel free to bring the next generation of Habitat supporters. 😊

Deferred Gifts are a great way for younger donors (think under 40) to make a large gift impact in a period of their lives when disposable cash is not a viable option because of mortgage payments, children's college tuition and other costly living expenses.

Donors can name a nonprofit as the beneficiary of their life insurance policies or unused retirement assets. These can include individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k)s, 403(b)s, or pensions. Because these gifts are often larger than what a donor could give in their lifetimes, they can significantly impact a nonprofit.  And if you take out life insurance for just this purpose when you are young, lower premium payments just may fit your budget.

These types of planned gifts are also good options for donors who have paid-up policies or retirement accounts that they won’t use. If a donor has a large estate, gifting retirement accounts and life insurance policies can help their heirs avoid income and estate taxes.

These gifts are referred to as Deferred Gifts, whereas closely held stock and real property are considered Current Gifts.

An organization may be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy that matures at the death of the insured. Some donors may wish to donate an insurance policy now, making an organization both the owner and the beneficiary of the policy and producing tax savings for the donors—and the organization will receive the proceeds of the policies after the donors’ lifetime.

Qualified retirement plans make particularly good assets for deferred charitable gifts, since they will be subject to both income tax and estate tax at the end of the donor’s life. The charitable designation can be made directly with the retirement plan administrator— and avoid all taxes.

Either type of gift can make a substantial impact on a non-profit’s ability to serve their constituents. 

Please consider one of these gifts in your estate planning if you choose Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity as a beneficiary.  It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

The much anticipated fourth house in our San Jose neighborhood, Unity House, is set to begin construction within the next month when we lay the concrete pad.

Named Unity House #5 because this home is a particular project that is being underwritten by area churches, such as St. Andrews Presbyterian Church’s Social Justice Mission and the faith based community.

Plans are beginning to take shape for the public kick-off to Unity House #5 and as always, we need building volunteers and cash donations.

If your church mission includes providing safe and secure housing to low-income families, please put a team together to volunteer for the building or host a fundraiser with your congregation to donate to Unity House #5. 

For volunteer information, contact: Regina Red at Regina@HabitatABQ.org

For donation and fundraising information, contact: Liz Vincent at Liz@HabitatABQ.org