The Builders Outreach Foundation was created in 1992 by a group of civic minded members of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC). These dedicated people began the Foundation so that they could make a difference in the lives of families in the metro area. Their goal: promote home ownership opportunities for those whose financial condition puts them below the level of publicly subsidized affordable homes, while helping revitalize the Twin Cities’ core communities. Because BATC has nearly 1,200 professional members in the home building community, the Foundation has unique and direct access to some of the best and most professional resources within the housing industry.
The Foundation has completed 17 homes in 17 years, providing affordable workforce housing for families in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities. It has also been involved with numerous smaller projects that fit its overall mission, and partners with other like-minded organizations such as Greater Frogtown CDC, Habitat for Humanity, Project for Pride in Living and Interfaith Outreach.
The Foundation is pleased to again host Dream Homes and Dream Remodeled Homes in the Fall Parade of HomesSM events. We select the most exciting and luxurious homes each tour to become one of our major fundraising activities.
The Dream Home concept started in 1995 with Anderson Master Builders, Inc. offering their home in the Fall ShowcaseSM to help the Foundation raise funds. Visitors to their home paid $5.00 to tour, with proceeds funding our mission of building affordable housing. The Foundation had already constructed three homes in the metro area after one year. In 1997 Nedegaard Construction, working with Midwest Living magazine on a new home, offered it up as a Dream Home to us. With all the national publicity, this home was the most toured home that year. Since that time we have gone on to offer Dream Homes to tour in every spring and fall, adding Dream Remodeled Homes in 2004.
The Foundation is very excited to be involved in our current Rebuild Haiti project. Twenty percent of the Dream Home net proceeds from this event will be set aside to cover airfare for all those volunteering their time and skills to go to Haiti. Any additional funds raised will be split between the volunteers to help cover the trip costs. BOF felt this fits our mission ‘Making a Difference One Home at a Time.’