Sourced from: http://www.echopress.com
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a grant of $135,000 to the Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota (HFH-MN) under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI), announced HFH-MN recently. The funds are intended to be used over the next three years for expanding its Training and Technical Assistance Program.
Using these funds, HFH-MN intends to provide customized technical assistance to 20 Habitat affiliates serving rural communities in the state in the fields of community development and nonprofit organization management. The program will cover areas ranging from Alexandria to Winona to Owatonna to Grand Rapids.
HFH-MN is one of three community-based organizations in Minnesota and one of the 44 organizations in the nation selected to receive a RCDI grant from the $6.5 million awarded.
“We are grateful to the USDA for their generous support of Habitat Minnesota as our affiliate and Board will benefit greatly from the expanded training and technical assistance,” Lori Anderson, Douglas County Habitat for Humanity’s executive director, said. “Habitat Minnesota’s rural trainings are critical to building our affiliate’s organizational capacity so we can provide additional affordable homeownership opportunities to partnering low-income families.”
The expansion plan by HFH-MN includes training in the following areas: Board development, family services, financial management, fundraising, sustainable/green building, and ReStore Operations (ReStores sell new and used building materials to the public with the revenue used for Habitat homebuilding).
HFH-MN will train rural affiliates’ boards of directors directly in capacity building to maximize community impact and participation.
HFH-MN emphasizes on rural Habitat affiliates that is in conformity with the USDA’s focus on rural communities.
“USDA is pleased to partner with the Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota to help eliminate poverty and homelessness in Minnesota’s rural communities,” Colleen Landkamer, USDA rural development state director, said. “Habitat Minnesota provides valuable technical assistance and training to eliminate poverty and build stronger rural communities. This grant will help Habitat Minnesota make an even greater impact in rural Minnesota.”
HFH-MN is one of the leading resource development and support organization in the state of Minnesota established with the mission of serving, advocating for and advancing the work of Minnesota’s 33 Habitat affiliates to build and renovate simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.
Founded in 1997 by the affiliates it serves, HFH-MN provides programs specifically designed to assist affiliates in accomplishing their goal of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness.
Over the course of the past 14 years, HFH-MN has raised and distributed more than $59 million in financial resources and assisted affiliates with doubling housing production. In July 2011, HFH-MN will celebrate the construction of the 1,900th Habitat home in Minnesota.
