I am starting a blog - much like many others today. I hope, however, that I offer something different than others. As President of The Home Depot Foundation, I am privileged that on a daily basis, I’m able to support and partner with nonprofits that have enormous impacts in our communities; to have discussions with influential leaders in government, philanthropy and business; and to influence how our cities address the numerous and interconnected social, economic and environmental issues they are facing, even as their budgets continue to dwindle. Much of these efforts focus on how to provide healthy, affordable homes for families throughout our country. And we think a great deal about the pocketbook issues facing these working families and how to ensure the long-term affordability of the homes. (Much more on that to come.)
As a Foundation, we’ve had many successes. In 1993, we started talking about efficiency, conservation and health as they relate to affordable housing. This was long before “green” was cool – in fact at the time “green building” was too crunchy, too “out there,” so we called it “responsible building.” Two years ago, we made a commitment that to address the long-term issues involving the lack of housing and communities that are affordable and healthy, we would invest $400 million over ten years to help build and rehabilitate 100 homes and to plant 3 million trees. Since we made that announcement, we’ve already seen our funds support 27,000 homes and plant and maintain 500,000 trees. We are a founding funder of Enterprise’s Green Communities and are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to help their affiliates enhance the sustainability of at least 5,000 of the homes they build. There’s lots of information about our accomplishments on our website at www.homedepotfoundation.org.
And, while the opportunities to do good and help others are huge, we aren’t always successful in our first attempts, and sometimes getting a project completed looks a lot like the passing of legislation or the proverbial making of sausage – no matter what analogy you use, it ain’t pretty. So my commitment to this virtual conversation is to share with you the things we get right (you know I have to!), but also the complicated issues we are thinking through and discussing, the disagreements we have and the stumbles we experience. My goal is that it will offer enough of a different perspective, raise issues that are relevant enough and be thought-provoking enough that it will compel you to join in the discussion.
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Hi there! Just came across your blog and had to comment on it.
I’m in total agreement with your last statement regarding your goals. I believe in making changes, informed choices, big and small that will improve the quality of our lives and of the planet for future generations to come. How can I get involved with HD Foundation and making a difference in my community?
Jeane - First, I hope that you’ll continue helping us achieve our goals through this conversation. Like everyone, we are trying to find the best way to help people and communities create healthier and more successful places, and we’d love your thoughts about whether we are getting it right or if you think we missed an opportunity. There’s more information about what we are doing at our website: homedepotfoundation.org.
There are so many great organizations in every community sometimes the challenge is finding the one that fits your interest, skills and passion. At http://www.serve.gov you can find volunteer opportunities near you, and we hope that you’ll take a look at our guidelines to make volunteer efforts more sustainable at http://kaboom.org/tabid/746/Default.aspx.
It’s such an exciting time as the issues of housing, the environment and service have taken center stage in the national conversation - it’s a great opportunity, but we have to make sure each of us is contributing to efforts to leverage the current interest. And as you say, the decisions we make about our choices have long-lasting impacts - some inconsequential and some enormous - so it is essential that we help each other get it right.
I work at the Salvatoion Army and did work at Home Depot 2005 and in Realto Ca. And I Was Wondering is there any way of helping the Homeless Women And Children in our District.746W 5th St San Bernardino. Salvation Army Corp? Cause we have a big Problem here and it’s only gowing, Leaps and bounds. I work Maintenance there and we shelter up to a hundred and growing. Please Help God need’s Us to help our people. Truley Andrew Lynch Ps you can also get ahold of our Pastor Capt Steven Ball At Stephen.ball@usw.salvationarmy.org Thank you
Same as Above on WE need help at the Salvation Army Corp. In san Bernardino. The Children Need our help. Thier Mother need a home or can we open a famely center, Apt Complex. Any thing to help This Growing Problem. Please Reply Andrew E Lynch 746 W.5th St San Bernardino Ca
Andrew - Your message drives home what we know is happening - more people are struggling to find a safe, decent place to live every day. We will get in touch with Captain Ball today to learn more about what you are doing in San Bernardino. You can also see more about the process for requesting funds at our website in the section called “Grants.”
I’m sure that you make an enormous difference for the people at the Salvation Army. Thank you for helping those families as they get back on their feet.
I am writing here for some advice.
I have a friend who recently moved to Carpendersville, IL from Sycamore, IL. He is a 42 year old who was working as a groundskeeper without health insurance. He had a massive health problem occur suddenly in April and became a paraplegic. He is now house-bound and would benefit from a ramp installed to the home he is sharing. I am hoping to get some local interest in building this ramp and since my son’s boyscout troop used to do such activities, am hoping to see if they would be interested in helping with a 2010 event (their centenial recognition as BSA) or as an Eagle scout project to help with the building of a home ramp so that Howie can leave his home.
We will need lumber, nails, and supports. We will provide our own workforce and tools. We are not a non-profit organization, so don’t qualify for the grants listed on the website.
Thanks for any help.
DJ Plonczynski
DJ - Thanks for your message. Howie is fortunate to have such a caring friend as you are, particularly when he is having a difficult time. You’ve obviously looked through our materials, and you are right that we are only able to make donations to charities. This means that we can’t make donations to individuals. I’ve asked our communities affairs manager for your area to respond to you directly, but I would suggest that you contact your local United Way to see what local nonprofits might be able to help with this project. If you do some investigating, I think you should be able to find an organization, possibly a boy scout troop as you mention, that can help Howie. Best, Kelly