Join us as we Swing into our 30th Year!
Our annual Hammer & Nails Gala is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Crow River Winery. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary of working to bring affordable housing to McLeod County. This evening will include dinner and dessert, a swing dance (including swing dance lessons before the dinner hour), silent auction, liquor raffle and more! This evening will be a celebration of the work we’ve done and the 28 homes we have built, and a look ahead at our plans for the future. Doors will open at 4:30. We hope you will join us! Purchase your tickets or become one of our sponsors here: Event Registration – Crow River Habitat for Humanity (charityproud.org)
3 Ways to Serve- Without Picking up a Hammer!
Sure, building homes is what we are known for, but there are so many other ways you could volunteer without worrying about getting a splinter!
Volunteering with Crow River Habitat for Humanity is a rewarding experience. Our largest need for help happens in the midst of a home build, with volunteers needed for the construction of the home, and meals for our build crew. But during the entire year, even when a build isn’t happening, we need people who are willing to donate their time and energy. You can make an impact on McLeod county anytime of the year!
1. Become a Board Member or a Committee Member
Our executive board is made of McLeod county residents who are committed to the mission of creating affordable housing within our area. They help guide the direction of our organization. They meet monthly, and also support the fundraising and events we host, through their donations and presence. They are our cheerleaders in the community, sharing about the work CRHFH does within our community.
Our other committees include the Habitat Homes and Volunteer Committees. The Habitat Homes committee is our team that works with potential homeowners. They review applications, make site visits, and interact with the applicants. This is a very unique position, as they are called to be sensitive to people’s living situations, and must maintain utmost confidentiality. Our Volunteer Committee helps create our fundraising and outreach events- which you can read about next!
2. Volunteer at Events and Fundraisers
From fancy galas to the grocery store brat stand, to the county fair and a 5K run, we have a variety of fundraisers and events throughout the year. Volunteers play a vital role in event planning, registration, setup, and program assistance. Event volunteering allows individuals to connect with the community and raise awareness about the organization’s mission. Whatever your skill set may be, there are ways for you to serve!
3. Creative Volunteering
Do you have a gift for photography? Pictures of the build site and our partner families help tell the story of affordable housing. Photos of the fun we are having at our Hammer & Nails Gala help spread the message of our events.
Perhaps you have a green thumb and a knack for gardening? At the end of the home build, the yard usually needs some help! Though we lay sod or grass seed, there are always other ways to help the house feel like a home for the new homeowner and their family. Perhaps you can help teach them how to garden, or what plants will grow best in their yard.
Do you make beautiful quilts? At the final house blessing, when the homeowner receives the keys to their new home, gifts are shared. The warmth of a quilt is a wonderful gift to give!
Love to bake? We’ll never turn down sweets delivered to our build crews or event teams!
Whatever your talents and interests may be, there are ways to share them!
Whether you’re looking to volunteer alone or with a group of friends or co-workers, Crow River Habitat offers a wide range of opportunities to make a difference.
Grant Writer for Hire
The Crow River Habitat for Humanity, Inc is seeking an Independent Contractor to serve as our organization’s Grant Writer. The grant writer will work independently to draft and submit large grant requests to support the mission of Crow River Habitat: “building homes, hope and community for our low-income neighbors throughout McLeod County.”
Location: Remote
About Crow River Habitat for Humanity
Crow River Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Crow River Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
Salary
The Grant Writer will be paid $75/hour for their work, up to $750/month. When the Grant Writer sends an invoice for payment at the end of each month, they will a summary of their work and any grant applications that are being drafted.
Expectations of a Grant Writer
- Preparation of proposals, grant applications and contracts in the areas of new programs and services or support of ongoing programs and services.
- Stay up-to-date on grant opportunities and deadlines that relate to affordable housing or home repair for low-income individuals, seniors and veterans.
- Assist the Executive Director with investigating grant applications for federal, state and private grant opportunities.
- Establishes standards and deadlines for grant proposals, narrative development for grant proposals, reviews grant proposal for completeness and ensures compliance with organizational standards.
- Submit a quarterly report for review to the Board of Directors. Each quarter, the Board will review the work of the Grant Writer and vote to extend or cancel the contract between “Grant Writer” and the Crow River Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Preferred Previous Experience
- History of writing successful grant proposals for $10,000 or more
- Some knowledge of the mission of Habitat for Humanity
- Some knowledge of state-wide or national foundations that support affordable housing or serving low-income families
- Some previous experience of working in affordable housing or home repair
How to Apply
Submit a resume and sample of your writing to Bayley Schluter at the Crow River Habitat for Humanity: bayley@crhfh.org or mail to 1020 Hwy 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350.
Applications will be accepted until Friday, June 9th
Get your tickets now for the Hammer & Nails Derby Gala
Tickets are now available for this year’s Hammer and Nails Gala. This Kentucky Derby themed event will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Crow River Winery. Doors open at 4:30, and dinner will be served at 5:30. A silent auction, live music, liquor raffle and more is on the menu for the evening. We will also watch the race live during the event- so make sure to pick your favorite pony!
This is one of our core fundraisers for the year, and we need your help to make it a success! Derby apparel is encouraged (but not required) so find a fun hat or seersucker suit and show your derby spirit! Grab a friend and join us for a night of fun.
Tickets are available online or in person at the Habitat office (1020 Hwy 7 W, Suite A). The office is open Monday to Thursday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Holiday Open House
Join us on Thursday, December 22, 2022, between 10 am to 2 pm for our Holiday Open House! We could not do the work we do without your support, your presence, your gifts and your prayers. Let us say “Thank You” at our Holiday Open House!
Habitat Hustle 5K
Make plans to join us on Saturday, June 17, 2023, for our inaugural Habitat Hustle 5K Fun Run and Walk! We will also have a Kids K Run for those ages 4 to 11. This non-timed fun run will begin and end at the Habitat office, and run along the Luce Line trail, and through West Park. We are in the beginning stages of planning this event and if you would like to be on the steering team, we would love to have you!
Share Night at Culvers
Stop by Culvers in Hutchinson on Thursday, October 13th and your meal can help support Crow River Habitat for Humanity! Show this digital ticket, and a portion of your purchase will go directly to support Habitat!
Culvers is open from 10 am to 10 pm, and they are raising funds for us the entire day! You must show the ticket in order for the sale to benefit Habitat. Such a great and delicious way to help us raise funds for Home Build #29 and #30- a twin home being built here in Hutchinson.
Pie in the Park
Join us for Pie in the Park on Monday, July 25th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Library Square, Hutchinson. Enjoy live music while you feast on pie and ice cream! All funds raised will help with our upcoming build, beginning later this summer.
