Atlanta Habitat’s first fundraising gala raises more than $500,000

500+ guests were “welcomed to the neighborhood”

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s Welcome to Our Neighborhood gala raised more than $500,000 to support the nonprofit homebuilder’s expanded mission to empower families through homeownership and to rebuild neighborhoods, block-by-block.

With the help of presenting sponsor, The Home Depot Foundation, the inaugural fundraising event was sold out days before; and more than 500 donors and guests filled Flourish Atlanta February 24, 2018 to celebrate Atlanta Habitat’s 35 years of supporting affordable homeownership.

The gala is the first large-scale fundraising event in Atlanta Habitat’s history. It sets the stage for the organization to serve even more families beyond the record-breaking 123 new families served in 2017.

“We are ecstatic and grateful to our incredibly supportive gala sponsors and the generous guests who supported our auction at the gala. Our fundraising goal was exceeded thanks to them,” says Lisa Y. Gordon, Atlanta Habitat President/CEO. “Atlanta Habitat is loved throughout Atlanta because of the life-changing programs we provide families. The gala was an opportunity for our supporters to experience what we are doing through the imagination of our digital neighborhood and homeowner stories while supporting our mission in a whole new way.”

Nationally syndicated talk show host Clark Howard welcomed guests to “our neighborhood.” “It was an amazing and fun evening for everyone,” says Howard, who along with his wife, Lane, have been Atlanta Habitat volunteers for 25 years this year. “Atlanta Habitat is helping to improve the lives of families and neighborhoods. When Atlanta Habitat builds in a neighborhood or starts repairing homes on the blocks where it builds, others follow because they know that neighborhood is changing for the good of everyone who lives there now and in the future.”

In addition to The Home Depot Foundation as the Neighborhood Champion presenting sponsor, Power Builder Sponsors Sherry and David Abney, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Cox Enterprises Inc., Delta Air Lines, Georgia- Pacific and Novelis, and William B. and Brooke Pendleton, also supported the fundraising event with leadership from gala event chairs Dana H. Halberg and Larry Pless.

Atlanta Habitat expanded its mission in 2016 to be a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization through education, partnerships, and by developing long-term relationships with families that go beyond the build. Each time a family becomes an Atlanta Habitat homeowner, they establish stability for  their families to achieve other dreams. Last year, Atlanta Habitat empowered 123 new families, the largest in the organization’s history, through homeownership and critical home repairs. It makes an annual $6 million economic investment in Atlanta.

Gala photos: https://atlantahabitat.org/galaphotos/

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jill Strickland Luse jill.stricklandluse@atlantahabitat.org or 404-822-0145