Thrivent Financial extends partnership with Habitat for Humanity

In 2005, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans established a four-year, $125 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a program that was set to end in 2009.  Instead the partnership will continue into 2010 with a $15 million pledge announced Thursday by Thrivent.

"This program has become a big part of Thivent's culture," said Pat Ostruszka, director of Thrivent Builds. "Our members also have told us that they appreciate opportunities like this and we do focus on what our members tell us. This program has been very successful in helping people do some outreach around the country and around the world."

The Thrivent Builds initiative is credited with constructing 2,000 homes since it was launched. A total of 1,300 homes were built in the U.S., with the rest in 32 countries around the world.

The Thrivent Builds program is well-known in Denver.  Lutheran and Episcopal churches have built 20 houses in partnership with Metro Denver Habitat, several of which have been Thrivent Builds projects.  This year, Thrivent Builds has awarded grants for the construction of five of 26 homes in the Bails Townhome Project near I-25 and Colorado Boulevard.  The Bails project will meet the criteria for Green Communities.  Light rail can be assessed via walkway.