Frequently Asked Questions
Event FAQs
Do I need construction experience?
No! You only need a good attitude; our construction leadership on site will help with the rest.
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.
Are we building a whole home in five days?
Not yet! One day maybe, but this year's Women Build will give a great kick-start to the home, which will then be completed over the next six to eight months.
What does the day look like?
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 partner family better. After lunch you'll return to a project team to finish out the day. We'll begin wrapping up before 3 pm and send you home with a goody bag, worked muscles, and some happy memories!
Does Habitat Chicago provide transportation?
No, we'll meet you on site. Carpooling with other volunteers is always encouraged.
Do I need a team of 12 to sign up?
No! Individuals or small groups may join any
team that has open spots. Your team leader should reach out within a couple of days to welcome you!
If you don't hear from your team leader within a week,
reach out to us and we'll get you any information you need!
What if I can't make my fundraising goal?
Each builder is required to raise $350 to participate in her build day. 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 $350 in support of your team's $5,000 goal, work with your team leader to see what your options are.
If your team leader is unresponsive, please
contact us.
A very small fee per online donation goes to payment processing (less than 5%); the rest goes directly to sponsoring the Goins' home. It helps pay for cement work, lumber, insulation, finishes, landscaping, etc.
How do I become a team leader?
It's very easy - just
contact us and let us know that you'd like to be a team leader. Our events coordinator will speak with you and let you select 1 day for you and your team to build.
What if the day I want to build is full?
All build days are first come, first serve. If your first pick is already full, please choose another day that works best for you and your schedule.
Team member signups open on May 1st. Please visit the
Teams page or click the "Register" button at the top of the page to choose your build day and team leader. Your team leader will reach out to you after you sign up!
If you don't hear from your team leader within a week, please
contact us.
Donate FAQs
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
111 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 2130
Chicago, IL 60604.
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 Women Build 2016 and who the donations should be credited to.
How do I find a participant's personal fundraising webpage?
Click on the home page 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.
What happens if I check the checkbox to "cover processing fees"?
If you check this checkbox, you will be charged the amount indicated next to the checkbox. This amount will also be visible to the non-profit. However, on the fundraising page, your intended - initial donation amount will be displayed.
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."
Fundraising FAQs
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 Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
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.
Website FAQs
How do I edit my personal fundraising page?
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”
What is my personal 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/womenbuild2016/ben.
Can a donor add a dedication message that appears in my fundraising honor roll?
When a donor makes a donation online, s/he can enter text to appear on the fundraising honor roll. This may be the donor's name, or it could be something like "From the whole Wolf family" or "In Memory of Aunt Cathy".