The 2023 Habitat for Humanity Lone Star Summit brought together over 200 participants, including Habitat for Humanity affiliates, volunteers, staff, partner organizations, and stakeholders from across Texas. Held from July 31 to August 2, this three-day served as a vital platform for attendees to explore the latest trends, best practices, and challenges in affordable housing, community development, fundraising, and volunteering, with a specific focus on Texas.
Habitat for Humanity is more than just an organization dedicated to constructing affordable housing. It is a global nonprofit committed to assisting those in need. At its core lies the empowering philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout.” This philosophy, in collaboration with dedicated volunteers, empowers families to break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures.
Habitat’s History in Texas
Habitat for Humanity has a rich history in Texas, dating back to its establishment in 1976. With headquarters in Americus, Georgia, and a presence in San Antonio, Texas, the organization embarked on its mission to provide safe and affordable housing. A significant milestone occurred in 1987 when Baylor University in Waco, Texas, became the first Habitat campus chapter in the nation. This marked an important expansion for Habitat.
In 1992, the city of Austin, Texas, achieved a historic milestone by opening the first-ever Habitat ReStore in the nation. This is a concept that would later become integral to Habitat’s sustainable building practices. In 2005, Habitat for Humanity Texas was established as a state service organization, providing Advocacy, Training & Technical Assistance, Resource Development, and Disaster Services to support Texas Habitat affiliates and increase their build capacity.
The impact of these efforts is profound. Last year, Habitat affiliates in Texas built or repaired over 1,100 homes. These affiliates, varying in size and capacity, collectively mobilize countless volunteers and represent a remarkable community of over 14,000 Habitat homeowners. The ripple effect of their work resulted in the creation of approximately 324 jobs, $21.1 million in local wages and business income. Additionally, this created $2.1 million in new tax revenue for local governments for every 100 Habitat homes constructed in a community. Habitat for Humanity’s presence in Texas has not only transformed housing but has also made significant contributions to local economies and communities.
Giveffect’s Involvement
Giveffect, the leading 10-in-one nonprofit software, was a sponsor at this year’s summit. We sent two colleagues to mix, mingle, connect, table, and learn. And that’s exactly what they did. In this article, we’ll recap Head of Growth & Strategy Yulia Zhernovaya and Nonprofit Solutions Consultant Carl Lashley’s experience at this year’s Habitat for Humanity Texas Lone Star Summit.
3 Highlights from Habitat for Humanity Texas Lone Star Summit
This year’s Lone Star Summit, themed “Getting Big Things Done,” lived up to the Texan adage that “everything is bigger in Texas.” From the opening session to the closing keynote and after-party, the conference brimmed with inspirational narratives, enlightening workshops, and dynamic dialogues (and, of course, margaritas!). We had the privilege of listening to Habitat for Humanity leaders who unveiled their vision and strategic initiatives aimed at collaboration, constructing more homes, empowering additional families, and cultivating sustainable communities.
Highlight 1: Networking & Tabling
Standout moments during the conference included connecting and networking with Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff from various Affiliates. We engaged in discussions with Executive Directors, Volunteer Managers, Development Directors, ReStore Managers, and more. These exchanges allowed us to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.
We discussed challenges, provided solutions, and shared examples of how Affiliates across the United States utilize Giveffect as their all-in-one nonprofit solution to save time, work more efficiently as an organization, and achieve their goals, including fundraising, volunteering, grants, and beyond. Witnessing the unwavering dedication and passion of those committed to driving change within their communities was genuinely inspiring.
We also held our Construction Hat Selfie Contest! Quickly becoming a popular attraction, attendees stopped by our table to learn about Giveffect and take a picture in one of our famed construction hats for their chance to win a coveted Stanley Quencher.
Highlight 2: Workshops & Training
The summit offered more than 30 breakout session tracks in leadership, construction, community engagement, fundraising, homeowner services, and ReStore.
Two sessions that stood out to us were:
1. “Direct Marketing – What is it and what do I do with it?”
This breakout session on direct marketing in the nonprofit sector was insightful. With Donna Poston Williams, Resource Development Officer at Habitat for Humanity Texas, as the moderator and Lauren Calzada, Director of Individual Giving at Trinity Habitat for Humanity, as the speaker, this session offered a treasure trove of insights and practical strategies that promise to transform how Affiliates approach outreach and engagement.
Direct marketing is a strategic approach to establishing direct communication with potential donors, volunteers, or partners. It revolves around delivering personalized messages through diverse channels such as email, direct mail, and social media, all aimed at eliciting a response or driving a specific action. In this case, the direct action is donating or volunteering.
Lauren Calzada’s presentation was particularly eye-opening. The revelation that direct marketing boasts a response rate of 5.3% while email marketing hovers at a mere 0.6% in terms of donations was quite interesting. It underscored the importance of data integrity, a point we can wholeheartedly endorse at Giveffect. Her invaluable tips on ensuring data integrity, including selecting the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, keeping data up-to-date through NCOA (National Change of Address) checks, establishing clear data entry procedures, and leveraging this data effectively, were absolute gems.
Confidence and trust in our data are foundational. Once this foundation is solid, strategic planning and creativity come into play. She also brought up the idea of initiating a monthly giving program. This session opened participants’ eyes to the boundless potential of direct marketing in the nonprofit sector, emphasizing the critical role data integrity plays in its success.
Following this session, we had very engaging conversations with several attendees about how Giveffect includes an easy-to-use nonprofit CRM and tools for direct marketing. And because both the CRM and direct marketing tools are all in one system, it is incredibly easy and efficient to personalize direct mail or emails with tailored messaging and the process to execute seamlessly.
2. “Showing Donors What We Do through HabiTours”
Attending the “Showing Donors What We Do through HabiTours” session at the Habitat for Humanity conference was an inspiring experience. Led by Stephanie Wiese, Vice President of Development and Communications at Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio, the session shed light on a strategy to engage supporters and funders in a mission-driven way. We also had the incredible opportunity to experience the tour ourselves.
HabiTours, introduced by Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio & Guadalupe Valley in 2003, struck us as a brilliant approach. Instead of immediately seeking funding, these tours invite individuals to get to know the organization, understand its “why,” and witness firsthand its impact on communities in need.
What stood out was the emphasis on building connections and relationships during these tours. It’s not about asking for donations but rather providing an opportunity for prospective donors and volunteers to connect with the organization’s mission. By tailoring the tour experience to attendees’ interests and demonstrating how they can contribute, Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio & Guadalupe Valley has successfully created a sense of connection that has attracted diverse participants, from volunteers to city and county leaders to funders.
As we learned in the session, the key takeaway is not only the “how” of conducting these tours but also the “why” behind them. Integrating personal stories, such as letters from families impacted by Habitat’s work, adds a powerful emotional dimension to the experience. It’s about creating connections, fostering understanding, and ultimately building lasting relationships with those who share our passion for making a difference in the community.
Highlight 3: Community Building
Throughout the summit, the community building was nothing short of remarkable. Formal and informal gatherings played a pivotal role in fostering a profound sense of unity among all attendees, effectively reinforcing the core mission and values of Habitat for Humanity. Notably, our Giveffect-sponsored Happy Hour was a standout moment for us and other attendees. This gathering was an opportunity for everyone to come together, relax, and connect.
The Texas summit would also only be complete with an array of delectable food, and this event was no exception. Tantalizing options like tacos, steaks, and BBQ graced the menu, filling our bellies just as the conference filled our hearts and minds.
Community-building activities and moments throughout the summit powerfully reminded us of the bonds that tie us all to the common cause of Habitat for Humanity. Amidst the laughter, shared experiences, and delicious bites, attendees were reminded that we are part of something much larger—a global community working tirelessly to provide safe and affordable housing for those in need. At Giveffect, we are honored to help Affiliates serve this mission with technology that enables them to save time, do more, and raise more!
Texas-Size Goals
In line with the summit’s theme, Texas set ambitious goals for the coming year—to surpass Florida Habitat for Humanity in the number of homes built. This bold objective reflects the unwavering dedication and passion of the Texas Habitat for Humanity community in pursuing their shared mission.
The 2023 Lone Star Summit was a testament to the collective commitment to making a difference in communities and building a better future for those in need.
We’ll see you next year and at other Habitat for Humanity regional conferences!
To learn more about Giveffect and how Habitat for Humanity Affiliates across the US use Giveffect to reach their impact goals, book your demo today!