Edisto Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity International and 83 Habitat affiliates receive transformational $436 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
March 22, 2022
Edisto Habitat for Humanity will use gift to address affordable housing shortage in Orangeburg County
Edisto Habitat for Humanity, along with Habitat for Humanity International, and 83 U.S. Habitat affiliate organizations, recently received $436 million in unrestricted giving from American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Of that, Edisto Habitat for Humanity received $1 million. This transformational donation will substantially help further Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has equitable access to a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.
“We are extremely grateful to have been so blessed with this generous donation for Edisto Habitat for Humanity. Words cannot express the extreme gratitude that we have for the endless possibilities that are now within reach for our very rural Habitat community,” said Edisto Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jessica Burgoyne. “We thank MacKenzie Scott for her generous donation and understanding the critical need of our community and what it takes to create positive long-term change. Together, we are transforming lives.”
The funds will be used to support our mission and local programs including but not limited to new homeownership, Cost of Home advocacy, disaster preparation and recovery, and maintaining and continuing our Brush with Kindness partnership and aging in place initiative.
In the state of South Carolina, one in eight households spend half or more of their income on housing; in total, 45 percent of renters and 18 percent of homeowners are cost-burdened, paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
Habitat International will use its $25 million portion of the donation to prioritize advocacy and programmatic efforts designed to dismantle systemic racism in housing. Specifically, the donation will allow Habitat to advocate for policy proposals and legislation that enable millions of people access to affordable housing through its Cost of Home advocacy campaign; increase Black homeownership in the U.S. by targeting current systemic barriers through a new initiative that will launch this summer, and leverage innovative capital investments that serve communities of color.
“Habitat works to break down barriers and bring people together — to tear down obstacles and build a world where everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from, has a decent place to live,” said Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “This incredible gift helps make that work possible.”
About Edisto Habitat for Humanity
Based in Orangeburg, SC since 1991, Edisto Habitat for Humanity has worked toward the vision of everyone having a safe, affordable place to live. Edisto Habitat for Humanity partners with the local community, businesses, faith groups and more to provide affordable housing and the opportunity of homeownership. The organization has built more than 90 homes and provides disaster preparation and recovery assistance, supports aging in place initiatives through its Brush with Kindness program, and bolsters Cost of Home advocacy to incite policy change on the federal, state and local levels. Community members are invited to join Edisto Habitat for Humanity’s work through financial donations, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing. Everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit www.edistohabitatforhumanity.org.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
