Thrivent Financial for Lutherans commits nearly $7 million in 2013 to Habitat for Humanity International

Total contributions to the Thrivent Builds program will exceed $180 million and 3.5 million volunteer hours since 2005

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Dec 17, 2012, 10:00 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International announced today a commitment from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for $6.8 million in 2013 to help build 113 Habitat for Humanity houses across the United States. Through a unique partnership, called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial and its members have now committed more than $180 million and more than 3.5 million volunteer hours since 2005. Thrivent Financial remains the largest non-governmental supporter of Habitat for Humanity International.

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"This partnership reflects our commitment, as a membership organization, to building stronger communities," said Brad Hewitt, president and CEO of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "This support helps to make a difference not only in the lives of people who need safe, affordable housing, but also in the lives our member volunteers who have been inspired to help people in need."

The partnership consists of three programs with Habitat for Humanity: Thrivent Builds Homes, Thrivent Builds Worldwide and Thrivent Builds Repairs. These programs allow Thrivent Financial to partner with Habitat and low-income families in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of affordable housing in communities both in the United States and abroad. More than 2,900 homes have been built in the United States and around the world with the Thrivent Builds program.

"We are deeply grateful for Thrivent Financial's partnership and steadfast commitment to decent, affordable housing around the world," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Working together since 2005 through the Thrivent Builds programs, Habitat and Thrivent have engaged volunteers to help thousands of families improve their homes and the communities in which they live."

The programs also allow volunteers to pick the level of commitment they're comfortable with, from week(s)-long international builds to simply a few hours with a Thrivent Builds Repairs project in their own community.

"The experience is very rewarding in many ways," said Pastor Bonnie Wilcox who has volunteered on seven Thrivent Builds projects. "It's just such a powerful way to affect change in the lives of others."

For more information about the program or to volunteer you can visit Thriventbuilds.com.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a "hand up" to people in need of affordable housing, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat's largest single source of funding, constructing more than 2,900 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit Habitat.org, or follow us http://www.facebook.com/habitat or at Twitter.com/habitat.org or join Habitat's blog community at Habitat.org/blog.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International