Executive Director & CEO Corner
It was wonderful to see everyone at our GolfAid fundraiser last week. It’s hard to put into words the feeling of seeing 200+ supporters enjoying a beautiful warm evening as they golfed, renewed friendships, made new connections, and joined together to advance HomeAid’s mission of ending homelessness in Northern Virginia and beyond. I loved seeing so many of our constituents and donors – GolfAid kicked off what I’m confident will be a very successful year of programs and events for HomeAid.
As you’ll read in this issue, the event also raised $54,000 – money that, quite frankly, will help to sustain us throughout the year. Since we directly service other nonprofits, we don’t get a lot of government grant money, and our focus on building and renovating other nonprofits is not something many grantmakers are even designed to cover. As a result, fundraising events make up 27% of our entire budget, with four major annual events carrying the bulk of our efforts (GolfAid, Builders & Friends BBQ, Golf Tournament, and Gala & Auction). We spread them throughout the year and strive to make them inclusive to all, as well as a meaningful way to give back while having fun.
We depend on our events to introduce our organization and mission to people who aren’t yet familiar with us, allowing us to educate others about what we do for the community. I hope you will join us at one of our upcoming events and bring along a friend or colleague who might benefit from learning more about HomeAid’s mission. We are unique because no other organization in our region is dedicated to rebuilding other nonprofits to improve efficiencies, expand housing options and make a space more durable, safe and dignified.
I hope to see you at our next event, Builders & Friends BBQ, on June 16th, but in the meantime, if you want to learn more about HomeAid, I’m always a call or email away, so please feel free to reach out to me.
With gratitude,
In the Spotlight
Celebrating the Importance of Play

A team from Stanley Martin and four trade partners (VCI Construction, LLC, Dae Won Construction Co, Inc., John Darvish Construction and VEC) spent an afternoon building the playhouse on-site, and the result will now provide children with a place to explore, play, imagine, and grow with a space of their own. Stay tuned for more updates as, we hope to install the playground equipment in time for spring.
In Your Neighborhood
GolfAid 2022: Thank You!

In Your Community
Volunteers and Donations Needed for Landscaping Improvements

In May, we’re organizing the same effort – again with Cornerstones and NVBIA Future Leaders – and we would welcome your help! This is one of the best opportunities to engage with volunteers who don’t necessarily have homebuilding expertise but who can help weed, mulch, and beautify. Whether you can provide manual labor/tools, funding support, or work for a landscaping company that can help, we can together make a difference. Please contact Kristyn Burr for more information, and let’s get ready to make these outdoor spaces a beautiful place to relax, recharge, and play!
Cornerstones, a longtime HomeAid partner, was established in 1970 to address the need for affordable housing and has grown to become a significant human services provider and advocate for those struggling to make ends meet in Northern Virginia.
Did You Know?
In Virginia, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,269. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn $4,231 monthly or $50,767 annually. Assuming a 40-hour work week, 52 weeks per year, this level of income translates into an hourly Housing Wage of $24.41.
Making It Count
2021 Impact Report Now Available Online

Read all about it in our just-published 2021 Impact Report, now available online!
Did You Know?
Virginia’s minimum wage is $9.50 per hour. That means one would have to work 103 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom home at Fair Market Rate (FMR) or 88 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 1-bedroom rental home (at FMR).
Making It Count
Rick Cole’s Balancing Act: Building Reserves While Planning for Expansion

Q: What made you say ‘yes’ to working with HomeAid’s Board and taking on a leadership position?
A: I was an active member with NVBIA for many years, and I knew many of the people who were instrumental in getting HomeAid started up in Northern Virginia – Steve Alloy, Doug Smith, Russ Rosenberger, Don Knutson, Clark Massey … They’re all such well-respected leaders in the homebuilding industry, and I figured if they were investing their time and resources in HomeAid, it must be a worthy organization. I’ve been involved with a lot of community groups, and while I’ve never had a negative experience, I’d never felt as personally excited by an organization’s mission, and I’d never seen any accomplish its goals as efficiently as HomeAid. Everyone is so eager and passionate to get the work done, and the non-profits are so appreciative. It’s energizing, particularly for me; I’m a CPA by training and work for a land company. While I can’t build shelter, knowing I can contribute by providing my financial expertise is really meaningful. I’ve been involved for close to 20 years, and I’m enjoying working with the next generation of leaders.
Q: HomeAid is financially stable but still in constant need for donations. Can you talk about that balancing act?
A: At HomeAid, we’ve done a great job of putting ourselves in a position so that if lean years come, we can further our mission without having to drastically slow down. That said, we want to continually expand our mission: Whether it’s the size of a project or the number of projects, there are always more requests than there is money. So, we need to always be bringing in more funds. The marker keeps moving as we expand into new regions and as land, materials, and rezoning and permitting fees get more expensive. If a nonprofit is fronting the soft costs associated with a project, they’re going to have ever-tighter margins to support the project itself, which is where HomeAid comes in.
Q: What do you love most about your career?
A: In 1983, I realized very quickly that being a professional lacrosse player wasn’t going to support me. The JD Long Companies was one of my clients back when I was working for a CPA firm in Alexandria, and I’d built up a great working relationship and friendship with the founder and his son and, once the timing was right, joined the firm as the CFO. I love what I do, especially the variety. Working with income-producing properties, growing lender relationships, buying and selling land, and negotiating contracts are just a few of the things that occupy my time. The charity I’m most involved with – HomeAid – is something my job allows me the time to do. Nothing is missing – it’s been a great career with incredible people.
Announcements
NVBIA’s Meet the Builder event is next week and we are looking forward to getting to meet and reconnect with builders, remodelers, and trade partners as everyone circulates through the room for five-minute “speed dating” sessions at each exhibit booth. Stop by our booth to say hello and learn more about how you can get involved with HomeAid’s mission.
Women in the Building Industry
One of NVBIA’s biggest committees is their Women in the Building Industry (WBI) group, which is dedicated to promoting career advancement and leadership skills of women in the homebuilding industry. With one of their key goals focusing on community service, we work with WBI members frequently, and we were honored to attend WBI’s 2022 kick-off event on February 22.
Save the Date
Builders and Friends BBQ
Thursday, June 16, 2022 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The National Botanic Garden
Register Now!
Thursday, June 16, 2022 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The National Botanic Garden
Register Now!
HomeAid Golf Tournament
Friday, September 16, 2022 8:00 AM
Rasberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club
Friday, September 16, 2022 8:00 AM
Rasberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club
HomeAid Gala and Auction
Saturday, November 12, 2022 6:30 PM
Lansdowne Resort and Spa