Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity (RCHFH) is once again participating in The Big Payback, a region-wide, 24-hour online giving event created to help Middle Tennessee nonprofits raise funds vital to continue their work, which directly improves the community around them. This is the second year that Rutherford Habitat is taking part in the event. Last year, the organization raised almost $4,000 (in donations and matching funds by MTSU) to help fund the MTSU Build, which is now taking place in Murfreesboro.
The Big Payback charitable event, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Kharis Foundation, will begin at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3 and runs for 24 hours. Once the clock starts, anyone can visit TheBigPayback.org or RCHFH's website: www.rchfh.org, and make donations to the Thrivent Builds project as well as other participating nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions, that serve the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee. Donors can view and select from participating organization based on location and focus area, such as animals, education, healthcare and more, and support multiple nonprofits with gifts ranging from $10 and up.
This year's RCHFH Big Payback campaign will help fund the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity project and will include the opportunity for donations during The Big Payback 24-hours of online giving to be matched by Thrivent Financial (up to $60,500). Thrivent Financial remains the largest non-governmental supporter of Habitat for Humanity International and is committing $12 million nationally to the 2016 partnership, which will be used to serve families and mobilize volunteers through three programs: Thrivent Builds Homes, Thrivent Builds Repairs and Thrivent Builds Worldwide. Area churches will also be involved in the Thrivent Builds project which is also known as Rutherford Habitat's "House of Faith Build".
Funds from this partnership and The Big Payback will support the construction of a house for a family in need July 22nd through September 24th at 601 East Castle Street in Murfreesboro. The location is next door to the Nissan Build house which was recently dedicated to a Habitat homeowner in January. And next door to that is a Habitat house from 2014's Women's Build, sponsored by Lowes. The three houses, plus many in the area, have made great progress in removing blighted areas and improving neighborhood revitalization. Around the corner on Highland Avenue is the MTSU Build house which funding from last years' Big Payback helped support. Funded by MTSU's Student Organizations and Service (SOS), that house construction will last through April 8th. Volunteers are welcome to join us and the MTSU students on the build! (contact: 615-890-5877 x. 106)
"We are thrilled and blessed to partner with Thrivent Financial on the Thrivent Builds project, and look forward to involving the community and houses of faith," states Terri Shultz, Executive Director of RCHFH. "We greatly appreciate the efforts and enthusiasm of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in presenting this giving event to the people of Tennessee."
The Big Payback has seen remarkable growth from its inaugural event in 2014. That year, $1,492,492.50 was raised for 525 nonprofits. In one day's time, more than 11,600 gifts were made to organizations focused on health and human services, animal welfare, the arts and more.
In 2015, the amount raised increased to more than $2.65 million supporting 770 Middle Tennessee nonprofits.
Gifts from the public during The Big Payback will be boosted with funds from sponsors of the event, which will provide opportunities for Rutherford Habitat to vie for financial incentives and additional prizes. The online leaderboard, at TheBigPayback.org, will track donations in real time.
"Nonprofits do important, life-changing work every day across Middle Tennessee," said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. "The Big Payback has become an exciting opportunity for us to come together as a community to support their efforts and recognize the positive impact they have on our neighbors. It's an easy, fun and a meaningful way for us to show our local pride and give back, and make a really big impact in the process."
For more information, visit TheBigPayback.org.
About Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity
Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing ministry, seeks to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. This is done through building quality, affordable, sustainable houses while partnering alongside low-income, working families. Homes are built by RCHFH construction staff, partner families, and community volunteers. After a home is completed, it is sold to the family at no profit with a zero interest loan.
