May 14, 2009

We are pleased to announce today that J. Ronald Terwilliger, Habitat for Humanity International’s board chair, is making a legacy commitment of $100 million from his estate to Habitat for Humanity International.

We estimate that this gift, the largest from an individual in Habitat’s history, will help 60,000 families gain access to affordable housing. Within five years of the funds being transferred to HFHI, 70 percent will be distributed and used to improve housing conditions for people around the world by providing housing micro-financing. The remaining 30 percent will be used for the "J. Ronald Terwilliger Leveraged Impact Fund." This endowment for Habitat for Humanity International will make annual distributions to help support our ministry’s affordable-housing efforts for years to come.

We are grateful to Ron for his ongoing, tireless commitment to and leadership of this ministry. Ron joined Habitat for Humanity’s international board of directors in 2000. During this time, he has given more than $3 million to Habitat to help further our affordable-housing efforts. He also has visited Habitat organizations and worked on build sites in the United States, Europe, Central America and Asia. You can read more about Ron www.habitat.org.

There are more than 1.6 billion people around the world who live in poverty housing and who need our help. It is our hope that Ron’s generosity to Habitat for Humanity will inspire others to donate and to get involved with our housing ministry. I am delighted to share with you this exciting news, and I thank you for all that you are doing to move our mission forward.

Blessings,

Jonathan Reckford
Chief Executive Officer
Habitat for Humanity International