What does a volunteer day look like with Habitat?
Volunteer day activities can include anything it takes to build a home from start to finish. Typical volunteer activities include: framing, siding, painting, roofing, laying flooring, hanging doors or windows, trim work, finishing, landscaping, and cleaning. We mean it when we say – every single task is critical for the success of our mission.
Here's the plan for the day:
7:45am: Arrive on site ready to go! We'll get you all checked in.
8:00am: Morning orientation and project assignment
8:15am: Construction time!
11:30am: Lunch
2:00pm: More construction!
2:30pm: Clean-up
3:00pm: Wrap-up and departure!
Toilets, water and first aid will be on site at all times. You'll work in project teams under the supervision of our construction leadership. During lunch you will get a chance to relax and talk with the team. Afterwards you'll return to a project team and finish out the day. We'll start cleaning up the site before 3 and send you on your way!
Do I need any construction experience to volunteer with Habitat?
No! You only need a good attitude; our construction leadership on site will help with the rest.
Where is the volunteer construction site?
Our current build sites is in the West Pullman neighborhood on the South Side. Once we get your build day set up, we'll send you the exact address and GPS directions.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
No! We'll provide all materials on site. Some people choose to bring their own tool belt for comfort, but please be sure to clearly label any personal tools/equipment you bring to site.
What should I wear to volunteer?
Layers! We build both inside and outside depending on the day, regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared with warm shoes (hard-soled boots preferable), warm pants you don't mind getting dirty, sweatshirt and jacket. Remember, you can always take layers off but you can't put on an extra sweater you didn't bring!
How do I register my team to volunteer?
Where can I learn more about volunteering with Habitat Chicago?
You can learn more
here on the Habitat Chicago website.
What are we fundraising for? Where does the money go?
All funds raised by The House that Tech Built participants will go towards the cost of construction of the Martin family home. Our shared goal is $150,000.
How do I get started fundraising?
The first step for getting involved with The House that Tech Built is to reach out to David Chudy, Habitat Chicago Corporate Partnerships Manager, to find the best way to get involved. Drop him a line at david.chudy@habitatchicago.org or give him a ring at 312-563-0296 x14.
Is there a minimum fundraising amount required to participate?
Each team that participates in The House that Tech Built will have a fundraising goal determined by the amount of participants. Contact David Chudy at david.chudy@habitatchicago.org or 312-563-0296 x14 to get started.
What is my personal fundraising page URL?
A personal URL is a shortened link to your team or personal page that you can send to friends and family in emails. A personal URL will look like this https://my.habitatchicago.org/TheHouseThatTechBuilt2018/ben.
Okay, my fundraising page is set up. Now how do I use it?
Editing your page is a breeze! On your "My HQ" page click on the “view my page” button in the left hand column, under “Hi, [Your Name]”. To edit the blurb at the top of your page, click the small “edit” button at the top. To edit your page photo, click “photo” under “edit my info”. To change your overall fundraising goal, please hit “goal” under “edit my info”
Be sure to consult
our handy user guide, too!
What can I do if a check is written out to me personally?
If a donation check has been written out to you personally, you may endorse the back of the check and mail it in with a completed donation form to Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
Can I mail in a cash donation?
It is not a good idea to send a cash donation in the mail. You may drop off the cash at Habitat for Humanity Chicago along with your information or you can deposit the cash into your checking account and send a personal check from your account.
How quickly can I expect an online donation to post to my page?
Any donation made online should post immediately. If your donation does not post within 5 minutes, please contact deena.prescavage@habitatchicago.org.
Can I enter a check online?
You can't enter a check online. What you can do is enter a check as a pledge. This can be done in the fundraising section of your headquarters page. The status of the check will be pending until the check is received by Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
A donor is requesting a Tax ID number; what is that and how can I get it?
A Tax ID number identifies Habitat for Humanity Chicago as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Many donors will request this number to validate their donation as tax-deductible. The Habitat for Humanity Chicago Tax ID number is 46-0494889.
Not all of my donors are showing up in the Honor Roll. Why?
As your donors make a contribution, they have the option of whether or not they want to appear in the Honor Roll.
Where can I find a list of the people who have donated to me?
Log in with your email and password to visit your headquarters page. Select "My Fundraising Report" on the left side. You will then find a list of all of your donors as well as a list of all donors to your team .
How can I send a thank you email to my donors?
To easily send thank you emails to donors, follow these steps:
- Log in to your fundraiser dashboard by clicking the "My HQ" link in the top right
- Click "My Fundraising Report" in the left sidebar
- Locate the donor/donation you'd like to thank, and click "Send Email" (If the donor didn't submit their email address, this option is unavailable.)
- Type the message in the pop-up window, and click "Send Email"
Why am I receiving emails telling me that I've received a donation?
You are receiving these emails because we would like to keep you updated on your fundraising efforts. If you wish to stop receiving these updates, please login to your headquarters and edit your account preferences.
Can I make a donation to a team?
Yes. You can make a donation to a builder on a team or you can make a general team donation.
Where should I mail donation checks?
All donations should be mailed to:
Habitat for Humanity Chicago
1100 W Cermak Rd, Ste 404
Chicago, IL 60608.
Who should I make my check out to?
Please make all checks payable to: Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
Please make sure that in the memo it says The House that Tech Built 2018 and who the donation should be credited to.
How do I find a participant's personal fundraising webpage?
Click on the search icon on the
homepage and begin typing the first or last name. Your options will display as you type.
How quickly can I expect an online donation to post to a participant's fundraising account?
Any donation made online should post immediately. If an online donation does not post within 5 minutes, please
contact us.
Are donations tax-deductible?
All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For Canadian donations made online with a credit card, will the amount entered be in U.S. dollars?
Yes. For Canadian donations made online with a credit card, the amount entered in the online donation form will be in U.S. dollars.
Do all donors who mail their donations receive a receipt?
Any donor who mailed their donation and provided an address will receive a receipt via mail once the donation has been processed. If you made your donation in installments, you will receive a receipt each time a monthly payment is processed.
Do all donors who contribute online receive a receipt?
Yes, anyone who donates online, regardless of the amount, will receive a receipt via email.
What is Habitat for Humanity Chicago's Tax ID number?
A Tax ID number identifies Habitat for Humanity Chicago as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Organization. The Habitat for Humanity Chicago Tax ID number is 46-0494889
How do I add a dedication when I make a donation?
When you make a donation online, you can designate what you want to appear as your recognition name on the participant's Honor Roll. This may be your name, or it could be something such as "From the whole Wolf family" or "in memory of Aunt Cathy."
Who should I contact with any donation-related questions?
Contact Deena at deena.prescavage@habitatchicago.org or 312-563-0296 x22.
