How does Women Build work?
As a community of 400+ women strong, we will accomplish two incredible goals:
1. Raise $275,000 to help fund the construction of Habitat homes that will be owned by women.
2. Advance construction of multiple Habitat Chicago homes that will be woman-owned, building right alongside their future owners from October 8th - 12th
Each Women Builder commits to building for one full day of the event and raising at least $375 to participate, earning prizes as she goes.
Women Build 2019 will be taking place October 8th - October 12th, 2019. Each Women Builder participates in ONE day of the event (not all five days).
What does a Women Build volunteer day entail?
Fun, hard work, hands-on. Build site activities can include anything it takes to build a home from start to finish. Some typical volunteer activities include: framing, siding, painting, roofing, laying flooring, hanging doors or windows, trim work, finishing, landscaping and cleaning. All of it is critical to a finished home and a healthier, more stable family.
Here's an overview of the day:
7:30am: Registration
8:00am: Construction
11:30am: Complimentary lunch
12:30pm: 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'll have the opportunity to learn more about Habitat Chicago and get to know our female homebuyers. After lunch you'll return to a project team to finish out the day.
We'll begin wrapping up before 3pm and send you home with some take-away items, worked muscles, and happy memories!
How can I participate in Women Build?
There are two ways women can participate:
1. As a Team Leader. Each Team Leader:
•Attends the Team Leader Kickoff on Thursday, June 13th.
•Commits to fundraising at least $375 and building one day of the event
•Recruits 11 women to join her team to hit these same commitments; the entire team has a minimum fundraising goal of $6,000.
•Motivates her team members and ensures they have a whole lot of fun every step of the way
•Coordinates with her team to get everyone registered and ready to build
2. As an Individual Builder. Each Individual Builder:
•Joins a team with open spots (we will get you matched up with a Team on your preferred date, dependent upon availability).
•Commits to fundraising at least $375 and building one day of the event
How do I register to participate in Women Build?
Team Leader spots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority being given to previous Team Leaders. If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader, please contact us at
events@habitatchicago.org.
If you are interested in participating as an individual builder, registration will open on Monday, July 15th. Starting July 15th, you will be able to join any
team that has open spots. Until then, you can contact us at
events@habitatchicago.org to learn more and add your name to our interest list. We will then remind you when individual registration is open.
What if the day I want to build is full?
All build days are first come, first served. If your first pick is already full, please choose another day that works for your schedule. Volunteer days fill quickly, so the sooner you register, the better!
Where is Women Build held?
Women Build 2019 will take place on the Habitat Chicago build sites in the West Pullman neighborhood. The exact build site address will be sent to participants before the event.
Do I need construction experience to participate?
No, we encourage everyone from professionals to novices to come build with us. There are a variety of jobs perfect for every level of skill. Trained Habitat Crew Leaders provide on-site training and all-day guidance, as well as all of the tools and materials needed to complete the tasks at hand.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
Nope! 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.
Are we building an entire home in five days?
Not yet - maybe one day! But don't worry, we will be getting some serious work done across several homes that will be owned by women.
What should I wear to the build site?
Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes and long pants and avoid loose clothing and jewelry. We will be distributing Women Build t-shirts at check-in, so come ready to change. We recommend layering for the weather as many tasks will be outside.
How old do I have to be to volunteer at Women Build?
You must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer on our build site. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone with a ratio of at least 1 chaperone for every 4 youths. All chaperones must be at least 21 years of age.
Does Habitat Chicago provide transportation to the build site?
No, we'll meet you on site. There is free street parking near the build sites, but given the size of Women Build, spots will be limited. Carpooling or using a ride share with other volunteers is encouraged, as well as utilizing public transportation.
How do I make a donation to a particular Women Build participant?
You can make a donation to a particular Women Build participant 1 of 2 ways.
1. Go to the
Donate page and search for your Women Builder's name.
2. Search for your Women Builder on the
"Find an Individual" page. Once you've located your Women Builder, go to her page and click the big "Donate" button.
How do I make a donation to a particular Women Build team?
You can make a donation to a particular Women Build team 1 of 2 ways.
1. Go to the
Donate page and search for your Women Builder's name.
2. Search for your Women Build team on the "
Find a Team" page. Once you've located your Women Build team, go to the team page and click the big "Donate" button.
Oops! I made my donation to the wrong place! What do I do?
Email
events@habitatchicago.org and let us know that you need your gift re-allocated. Please include:
- Your name
- The date you made the donation
- The donation amount
- Where you want the donation to go (name of the individual or team you want to support)
- And, if you know, where you accidentally made the donation to.
How do I make a donation via check?
All checks should be mailed to:
Habitat for Humanity Chicago
ATTN: WOMEN BUILD
1100 W Cermak Rd., Ste. 404
Chicago, IL 60608
Please make all checks payable to: Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
In the memo line or on an enclosed note, please indicate that your donation is for Women Build and list the name of the Women Build participant or Women Build team that you are supporting.
You can expect an offline donation to appear on your Women Builder's page within 7-10 days of receipt. If you do not see your donation, please contact us at
events@habitatchicago.org.
How quickly can I expect an online donation to post to a participant's fundraising page?
Any donation made online should post immediately. If an online donation does not post within 5 minutes, please contact us at
events@habitatchicago.org.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Will I receive a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes.
If you made your donation online and provided an email address, you will receive a receipt via email.
If you made your donation offline (i.e. mailed a check), you will receive a letter in the mail once the donation has been processed.
What is Habitat for Humanity Chicago's Tax ID (EIN) number?
A Tax ID number identifies Habitat for Humanity Chicago as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Habitat for Humanity Chicago's Tax ID number is 46-0494889.
How do I set up a matching gift from my company?
Contact your HR department to learn how your company handles matching gifts. You can then contact
events@habitatchicago.org and we will work with you from there.
How much do I have to raise to participate in Women Build? What happens if I do not meet my goal?
Each Women Builder commits to raising at least $375 to hit our overall Women Build goal of $275,000. Each Women Build team has a shared goal of $6,000 each. If an individual Women Builder does not hit her goal, she may forfeit her ability to participate in future Women Build events.
This may seem like a lot now, but give it an honest effort and you'll be surprised at how easy it is to reach that goal! Make a genuine appeal to your friends, family and coworkers - they'll most likely be thrilled to support your build (people really like supporting people that they like)!
If you truly feel that you will not be able to reach your $375 goal, work with your Team Leader or
Habitat Chicago staff to see what your options are.
A small fee per online donation goes to payment processing (less than 5%); the rest goes directly to home construction for our female homebuyers, covering cement work, lumber, insulation, finishes, landscaping, tools, and other construction costs.
How do I edit and manage my personal fundraising page? What are the resources available to me?
Visit our
Fundraising Resources page to learn the ins and outs of using https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2019, as well as other resources available to you such as best practices and group fundraising ideas.
I'm a Team Leader! Where do I start? How do I manage my team page?
What should I do if a check is written out to me personally?
If a 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 at:
111 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 2130
Chicago, IL 60604
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 our office during business hours 9 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Friday::
Habitat for Humanity Chicago
111 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 2130
Chicago, IL 60604
Can I enter a check online?
You can enter a check as a pledge online. You can do this from the fundraising section of your fundraiser dashboard when you are logged in by entering an offline donation.
After entering online, send or deliver the check to the Habitat for Humanity Chicago office as soon as possible. Once Habitat for Humanity Chicago receives the check, we will process it and change the donation status from pending to received. You should see the amount credited to your fundraising progress within 10 business days.
Checks should be made out to Habitat for Humanity Chicago and mailed to:
Habitat for Humanity Chicago
111 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 2130
Chicago, IL 60604
Please include a note that says Women Build 2019 and the name of the fundraiser to whom the donation should be credited.
How quickly can I expect an online (credit card) donation posted to my page?
Any donation made online should post immediately. If your donation does not post within 5 minutes,
please contact us.
A donor is requesting a Tax ID number. What is that and how do I get it?
A Tax ID number identifies Habitat for Humanity Chicago as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt 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.
Where can I find a list of the people who have donated to my page?
With your Women Build credentials, log in to https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2019. Then, navigate to your Fundraiser Dashboard at https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2019/Dashboard. In the bottom center of your dashboard, you will see "Recent Donations." Click "View All" to see all of the donors who have supported you. If a donor chose to remain anonymous, however, you will not have access to her information.
Why am I receiving emails telling me that I've received a donation? Or why am I NOT receiving these emails?
You are receiving these emails so you can stay up to date on your fundraising progress and to be able to thank your donors in a timely manner. The default setting in your account preferences is to receive all emails but you can modify your notifications as you wish. Please login to your headquarters at https://my.habitatchicago.org/WomenBuild2019/Dashboard and edit your account preferences.
If you are not receiving these email updates by default, check your junk folder and be sure to mark
events@habitatchicago.org as a known sender. If they are not in your junk, you might have disabled notifications on a previous fundraising campaign. Login to your headquarters and edit your account preferences.
