Home Builders Foundation proudly announced today that it has received a $50,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its mission to “build independence, provide opportunities and elevate lives for individuals and families with disabilities in our community.”
In 1993, members of the home building industry in the Denver metro area established Home Builders Foundation (HBF) to provide home modifications for families in need, leveraging their skills and resources to give back to their community. The initial beneficiaries were victims of crime or circumstance, and projects ranged from painting to home repairs and additions. Among HBF’s early clients were survivors of the Columbine High School shootings in 1999. In 2008, the HBF Board of Directors refocused the agency’s mission, directing efforts to provide home modifications that address accessibility needs for people with physical disabilities at no cost to clients. HBF has seen a significant rise in demand since refocusing its mission, from 39 projects in 2007 to 279 projects in 2019.
HBF has received funds from Daniels Fund to support its Accessible Home Modification Program. Demand for HBF’s services has grown in recent years, with more than a 50% increase in approved projects between 2018 and 2019. When the COVID-19 crisis forced HBF to cancel its largest annual fundraising event and postpone 90 in-progress projects, HBF worked with clients and volunteers to raise awareness and fundraise. We have now safely resumed outdoor and single-volunteer projects comprising half of the postponements. However, demand for HBF’s services remains strong as the pandemic illuminates the critical nature of accessible home modifications for clients of all ages spending more time than ever at home.
“HBF is resuming and beginning as many projects as safety permits, including 15 recently completed projects during our Blitz Build in August. Still, HBF faces ongoing challenges to the operation of its lifechanging program, ranging from the need to rehire critical field staff to fundraising event cancellations and increased material cost due to supply chain disruption. With more than 40 new applications under review, HBF appreciates the support from Daniels Fund to complete urgent, postponed, and wait-listed projects as well as meeting future client need over the coming year,” said Beth Forbes, Executive Director.
The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
For more information about Home Builders Foundation call (303) 551-6721 or visit www.HBFDenver.org.