The Housing First Minnesota Foundation has been operating as the charitable arm of Housing First Minnesota since 1995. The Foundation seeks to end homelessness in Minnesota, partnering with local organizations to build safe housing for Minnesotans in need. Housing is a necessity and a basic right, and every individual has worth and human dignity and deserves the basic provision of shelter.
What is the Foundation?
Housing First Minnesota Foundation began as the Community Relations Committee of the Builders’ Association of the Twin Cities (BATC). In the beginning, its goal was simply to extend the work BATC did by giving back to local communities and Minnesotans in need. In 1995, the committee officially became a 501(c)(3) and rebranded to the Builder Outreach Foundation.
Over the years, the Foundation has undergone 3 more name changes, updating to BATC Foundation in 2011, Builders Association Twin Cities—Housing First Minnesota Foundation in 2017, and again to just the Housing First Minnesota Foundation in 2019. At its heart, the Foundation’s goal has always remained the same: to provide resources and hope to those experiencing homelessness in Minnesota.
Ending homelessness in Minnesota is a huge goal. To reach it, the Foundation partners with other local non-profit organizations that are working toward the same goal. Housing First Minnesota members generously donate their time, resources, and talent and together, we build, renovate, and repair shelter housing facilities in the Twin Cities area. Once the projects are complete, local organizations house those in need.
Our Projects and Partnerships
The very first project as the Builder Outreach Foundation involved extensively remodeling a duplex in the Frogtown area of St. Paul. By all rights, it should have been demolished, but with plenty of hands-on hard work and donations of skills and materials, this wreck was transformed. In May 1995, it became home to a single working mother and her three children, who had previously been living in a condemned building.
Later that same year, the Foundation made a commitment to work in the Frogtown area for 5 years, where they built and remodeled several more homes for St. Paul families in need. When the commitment expired in 2000, the Foundation immediately renewed it. By this point, our Foundation had become a staple in the area, providing hope to hundreds of people of all ages.
In 2001, we partnered with the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity after they came to us asking for help with a project in Burnsville. With the construction of 15 brand-new homes, this was the largest project the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity had ever taken on. The Foundation worked to construct 3 of the homes and sponsored 2 more, ultimately helping with a third of the project.
Throughout the 2000s, we continued to do many smaller projects both in Frogtown and beyond, partnering with several organizations. In 2008, we began a brand-new partnership with a local non-profit, Project for Pride in Living. We built a brand-new home for them thanks to our build partner Lake Country Builders.
But Minnesotans aren’t the only people out there who need housing. In 2010, the Foundation partnered with World Wide Village to send several volunteers to Haiti. After the 2010 earthquake, thousands of people needed new homes. Thanks to our partnership, we were able to help them rebuild.
Supporting Minnesota Veterans
Although thousands of Minnesotans are in need of safe stable housing, veterans are one group whom we have always felt called to help. In 2011, we partnered with James Barton Design Build to remodel a home for a returning Iraqi War veteran. Again in 2012, we remodeled a wounded veteran’s home, ensuring safety and accessibility.
In continuation of our goal of helping homeless veterans, the Foundation began a collaborative partnership with HomeAID America in 2016, and the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) in 2017.
Our MACV Housing for Heroes projects have been our most consistent projects since 2017, with 11 builds completed as of the end of 2023. Each home provides housing for 5 individuals or a veteran and their family.. As these individuals move toward self-sufficiency, the home becomes available to move additional veterans out of homelessness. On average, each home provides housing for 8-10 veterans annually.
Foundation Events
To support the work that we do, we have established multiple major fundraising events throughout the year, where people can come together and support the work of the Foundation.
The annual Pulte Group Charity Golf Tournament began in 2010 and has consistently selected the Housing First Minnesota Foundation as the charity of choice. Not only does the event bring an enjoyable day out on the course, but to date, the Pulte tournaments have raised over $225,000 for Minnesotans experiencing homelessness.
The second event is our very own Building Futures Golf Classic. Celebrating its 11th year in September 2023, we were able to raise a recording breaking $44,000! The day is spent playing in a golf scramble, while the evening holds a delicious dinner and live and silent auction.
In 2016, we began the Hearts for Housing Gala—our largest fundraising event of the year. This fun-filled night of donations, dinner, awards, and raising money for the Foundation’s life-changing work is extremely impactful. Each year, we honor our build partners and celebrate the work we’ve completed throughout the year.
To learn more about the Foundation and our goal, visit our website.
