Building Shelter in Collaboration with Nonprofit Partners

Home Builders Care Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides cost-effective solutions to other non-profits with shelter-related construction needs.   

Fundamentally, the charitable efforts and funds of Home Builders Care are focused exclusively on projects and project-related costs.  

We collaborate with established community organizations (such as other non-profits and/or local government agencies) to build and renovate community-based shelters and supportive housing facilities that are owned by these organizations in our service area.   We do not directly assist individuals nor do we provide direct housing placements.

Our core activities bring together two key stakeholder groups in our communities - professional homebuilders and nonprofits organizations that help support the homeless and others at risk. As builders, we do what we do best and they, as social service providers, do what they do best.  

Charitable Construction Project Levels:

1. Turn Key Projects - the goal of this basic program is to make it easier for nonprofits to complete small projects – usually with only one trade - by offering resources and funding to help get them done quickly. For example - our first Turn Key project helped a nonprofit needing a simple flooring replacement in two of its apartments for formerly homeless women.  Additional information and the application for a Turn Key project grant is below.
2. Classic Projects - our standard mid-level projects are typically more comprehensive than TurnKey and are valued at a higher level. For a classic project, we typically engage a builder, suppliers and subs and secure in-kind discounts of labor and materials. Two examples of classic projects include an accessible kitchen renovation at a group home and a complete HVAC system overhaul for energy-efficiency at a transitional youth home. The average value range for a Classic Project is $20-$75K 
3. Marquee Projects - Our top-level marquee projects have more visibility, a longer timeframe, and are much more complex. These types of projects sometimes span a year or two. Often there is predevelopment work and multiple stakeholders. For large-scale projects, a project manager is utilized to coordinate, manage and supervise the processes as needed. Some examples of our marquee projects include the construction of a new home for BoysHope GirlsHope Baltimore in 2010, a 3,750 sq ft addition to the Home Builders Care Assessment Center in 2008-09, and a whole house renovation at Patriot Point in 2019-20. 

see who we have helped

What we look for

Our Turn Key Program for Smaller Projects

The ​Turn Key Project Grant Program is designed to assist 501(c)(3) Maryland and DC-based nonprofits with smaller scale construction needs, $5,000 and under, such as simple maintenance or repair projects that can be completed quickly with one or few trades.
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During the challenging times of COVID-19 we are open to expanding our Turn-Key Project Program to include grants that help keep housing facilities operational and shelter residents safe.  Our funds can now possibly be used to cover other operational items such as extra cleaning, additional needed supplies, household essentials, a looming utility bill and other critical needs. Please let us know how we may be able to help you maintain your program.    

As with all HBCF programs, eligible projects must be shelter-focused, serve vulnerable populations, and have local community support. 

Turn Key Project Funding is limited each calendar year and our goal is to commit to projects in a timely manner. Our Board of Directors expects to review your application within 30 days of its receipt. If approved, funds are available to be distributed once a project is ready to begin.    

​If your organization has larger, more complex project needs, please do not apply for TurnKey.  Instead utilize the general inquiry form on this page or contact our office directly for the appropriate application process.  

TURN KEY APPLICATION in PDF

Our Program Service Model

Our typical process for undertaking classic and marquee projects:

• On an ongoing basis, non-profit organizations submit inquiries and applications for project assistance.
• Potential projects are assessed by staff, our project selection committee, and the HBCF Board of Directors.
• As needed, HBCF provides pre-development technical assistance and other levels of support to help move the project forward.
• When a project is officially adopted, HBCF recruits a Builder Captain and/or Trade Partners to help lead the project.
• A construction agreement is put in place outlining the agreed-upon scope of work for each project as well as any funding commitments. Once in place, the HBCF team is able to begin mobilization.
• The HBCF board and staff serves as the liaison between agencies and the building industry throughout the process.​
• HBCF works with the Builder Captain to secure donated labor, materials and related construction development services from trade partners.
• HBCF provides project management services and administrative support to projects as required.
• In partnership with agencies, we help promote both the project and the volunteer efforts of our builders and trade partners.

Because every construction project has its own challenges, this model is made to be adaptable and flexible.

Contact Us with any Questions

What We Look For

Potential new projects are evaluated regularly by the HBCF Board of Directors and its Project Committee.  Organizations with the best chances of being selected as an HBCF project partner:

• meet all nonprofit registration requirements on both the state and Federal levels.
  
• have solid community support for their program and construction project
• the property involved is non-profit owned or leased long-term for a token amount
• are in compliance with local zoning and licensing requirements
• offer supportive services and housing to help clients achieve stability
• have stable operational funding in place
• have the capability to potentially raise necessary matching funding to ensure completion of the project, and
• are committed to using the property for its stated charitable purpose for around ten years.

Because we have access to the professional resources of the Maryland Building Industry, HBCF is able to provide our client organizations with high quality labor, materials and construction expertise that would otherwise cost them significantly more, both in terms of time spent to seek out and hire professionals as well as money in construction.

With each project, HBCF routinely saves our non-profit partners thousands of dollars in the process, while also extending our own resources to improve their economic well-being by providing them and their clients with a more valuable and useful property. We help make projects feasible.

Ultimately, our work empowers agencies to focus resources on direct client services that lead to stability.