Building Goodness Foundation

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The Building Goodness Foundation (BGF) is a Charlottesville-based 501(c)3 non-profit that connects skilled volunteers from the design and construction industry with vulnerable communities at home and abroad. The group partners internationally with the highest quality non-government organizations (NGOs) and domestic nonprofit organizations to design and build structures, which increase their partners’ capacity to do great work.

BGF also partners with low-income homeowners, nonprofit organizations, and small-business owners to complete construction and renovation projects through the C’ville Builds Fund. Internationally, BGF has active projects in Haiti and Guatemala. They have completed projects internationally with partners in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. [1]

History

Building Goodness was founded in 1999 by a group of local builders who wanted to assist with the development of infrastructure in Haiti. The founders are Jack Stoner, Michael Cernik, and the late Howard Pape. [2]

Local projects

C’ville Builds is a coalition of local builders, community members, minority-serving organizations, donors, and volunteers who join together to support a healthy, equitable, and prosperous Charlottesville. Together they complete building and home repair projects that promote:

  • Access to Services: for people who are especially vulnerable, including low-income residents, those with disabilities, senior citizens, veterans, and children.
  • The Local Economy: including locally owned small businesses, nonprofits, and connecting workers to jobs.
  • Racial Equity: projects that help increase opportunities for local people of color.

International Projects

BGF successfully builds structures for partners internationally, with current, active projects in Haiti and Guatemala. Together with committed volunteers and donors, BGF has completed 7 health centers, 12 schools, 2 sanitation projects, 4 community centers, and over 1,100 homes. These buildings and homes directly benefit 150,000 people and their families every year, providing access to medical services, education, and secure housing that is otherwise unavailable.

BGF’s collaborative development model builds community structures and homes that meet critical needs, withstand natural disasters, and support local economic development. BGF hires workers from the local labor pool and supplements their skills with U.S. volunteers from the design and construction industry. Local workers’ skills are elevated with on-the-job training provided by U.S. volunteers.

In 2021, BGF launched The Haiti Fund and The Guatemala Fund to support health, education, and housing in these countries. These Funds will allow us to increase local participation and leadership, offer greater financial support to our partners, and operate more efficiently with our resources— ultimately increasing BGF’s impact.

Board of Directors

  • Aleen Carey, President
  • Mike Stoneking, Vice President
  • Betsy Manuel, Secretary
  • Michael Cernik, Co-Founder
  • Jack Stoner, Co-Founder

Visit the BGF website for the rest of the Board

Staff

  • Courtney Polk, Executive Director
  • Kathy Garstang, Local Projects and Operations Director
  • Joey Pierce, Director of Strategic Partnerships [3]

Videos

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References

  1. Web. Building Goodness Foundation, Meet Your Nonprofit, Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 30, 2017, retrieved January 27, 2023.
  2. Web. History, official site, Building Goodness Foundation, March 30, 2017, retrieved January 27, 2023.
  3. Web. Staff, Building Goodness Foundation, retrieved January 27, 2023.

External links

Media appearances