What Building Goodness Foundation does

Building Goodness Foundation (BGF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit construction organization founded in 1999 and headquartered at 128 Carlton Rd, Charlottesville, Virginia (Tax ID 54-1956136). The organization builds and renovates homes, schools, clinics, and community spaces across three geographies: Charlottesville (via the C'ville Builds local program), Haiti, and Guatemala. Its core offering connects skilled volunteers — architects, engineers, and construction trades — with hands-on building projects that are executed in partnership with local NGOs, in-country staff, and community crews. BGF does not develop or sell any technology platform, software, or AI products; construction labor is supplied primarily by volunteers and trained in-country crews, while materials are funded through grants and in-kind contributions.

The organization operates four principal programs. C'ville Runs (C'ville Builds) addresses local Charlottesville needs such as accessibility ramps, home repairs for elderly and disabled residents, and nonprofit facility upgrades. International Construction Projects cover Haiti and Guatemala, including the Center of Hope School (Hinche, Haiti, spanning 20 years across four phases), the Soaring Unlimited Women's Health & Birthing Center near Cap Haïtien (completed 2022), and multiple Guatemala school and community-center projects with partners such as Limitless Horizons Ixil (Colegio Horizontes), Nicolás Fund for Education, Seeds for Progress, La Puerta Abierta, and Destra. The Incentive Kay Housing Program, launched in 2003 with CODEP, builds 12' x 20' hurricane-resistant, pressure-treated homes for Haitian families who earn them through reforestation participation, school attendance, and erosion-control work; close to 100 such homes have been built and 12–15 million trees planted. A Volunteer Programs channel formalizes skilled-volunteer engagement internationally and locally.

BGF's business model is donations- and grant-driven: it charges no fee to beneficiaries, generates no product or service revenue, and relies on charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations alongside volunteer labor and contractor partnerships. The donor base includes roughly a dozen named major contributors (Manning Family Foundation, Keswick Hall, Bama Works, CavFutures Foundation, Apex, Cathcart, Jefferson Family, Navigate, Perry, Williamson, Twice is Nice, Charlottesville). Leadership comprises Executive Director Courtney Polk, first-ever Haiti In-Country Director Watson Drouillard (promoted 2023), first-ever Guatemala In-Country Director Sebastián Martínez (promoted 2023), International Projects Director Curtis Hoffman, Local Projects Director Kathy Garstang, and Director of Development Tiffany Norman. The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024 and was named a 2026 CavFutures Foundation "Champion of the Community."

Name

Building Goodness Foundation

Legal name

Building Goodness Foundation

Website

https://buildinggoodness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Building Goodness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit construction organization that connects skilled volunteers with building projects in Charlottesville, Virginia, Guatemala, and Haiti, building and renovating homes, schools, clinics, and community spaces using donated funds and volunteer labor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Construction Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Nonprofit construction services
• Volunteer building programs
• Community construction projects
• Charitable housing construction
• International volunteer building

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BGF generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization operates on charitable contributions and does not charge beneficiaries for construction services.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Building Goodness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and renovates homes, schools, clinics, and community spaces in the US and abroad. It delivers these services through four programs: the C'ville Builds local Charlottesville program, international construction projects in Haiti and Guatemala, skilled volunteer programs, and the Incentive Kay Housing Program in Haiti that rewards families with hurricane-resistant homes for participation in reforestation. All construction services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries, funded through donations, grants, and volunteer labor.

Product overview

Building Goodness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a single unified offering focused on construction and volunteer services rather than a technology platform. The organization builds and renovates homes, schools, clinics, and community spaces through four main programs: C'ville Builds (local Charlottesville projects), International Construction Projects (Haiti and Guatemala), Volunteer Programs (connecting skilled volunteers with projects), and the Incentive Kay Housing Program (a unique reforestation-based housing initiative in Haiti). The organization does not offer software products, APIs, or technology-based services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C'ville Builds: Local Charlottesville construction program supporting community-serving projects including home repairs, accessibility ramps, and nonprofit facility improvements.

Products and services

• C'ville Builds A local construction program in Charlottesville, Virginia that supports community-serving construction projects including home repairs, accessibility ramps, nonprofit facility upgrades, and small business improvements, provided at no cost through volunteer labor.
• International Construction Projects Building and renovating homes, schools, clinics, and community spaces in Haiti and Guatemala, partnering with local NGOs and community organizations. Provided at no cost to beneficiaries, funded by donations and grants.
• Volunteer Programs Connects skilled volunteers with hands-on construction projects both internationally (Haiti, Guatemala) and locally (Charlottesville), enabling participants to use their construction, design, and project management skills to support community-serving builds.
• Incentive Kay Housing Program A housing program in Haiti where families earn 12' x 20' hurricane-resistant, pressure-treated homes by participating in reforestation efforts, planting trees, tending gardens, sending children to school, and installing water cisterns through the CODEP partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Close to 100 homes built through Incentive Kay program since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CODEP (Comprehensive Development Project) / Haiti Reforestation PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership since 2003 for the Incentive Kay housing program. Families earn homes by participating in reforestation efforts including planting trees, tending gardens, and erosion control. CODEP has planted 12-15 million trees, with 1,500 participants (60% women). BGF builds 12' x 20' hurricane-resistant, termite-proof homes for participating families.
• Limitless Horizons Ixil (LHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on education in the Ixil region of Guatemala. BGF completed middle school in 2022 and is working on Phase II to build a high school. LHI aims to provide equal educational opportunities in a region limited by remote locations and language barriers, with focus on lifting up young women.
• Nicolás Fund for Education (NFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the Ixil region providing affordable, full-day secondary education for up to 300 students. NFE arose from commitment to combat aftermath of Guatemalan Civil War. BGF broke ground in September 2022 for a two-building campus. Started with 13 students and scholarships; now operating since 2015.
• Seeds for ProgresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool remodeling partnership in Sampaquisoy, Chiquimula Department, Guatemala. BGF is completing office and classroom construction with new bathroom facilities. Includes sanitation component with plumbing installation.
• Center of Hope HaiticoreStrategic or Co-development Partner20-year partnership for school campus construction in Hinche, Haiti. BGF has completed Phases 1-3 with Phase 4 in progress. School serves 150 students from first through ninth grade, with three classes graduated. Includes outdoor amphitheater space for community celebrations.
• Soaring Unlimited HaiticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build Women's Health & Birthing Center outside Cap Haitien, Haiti. Completed in 2022 despite pandemic challenges. Center provides facilities for safe deliveries, prenatal/postpartum care, newborn assessments, cervical cancer screenings, family planning, and Traditional Birth Attendant training.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC) New RootsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 5th Street Community Garden in Charlottesville. IRC New Roots provides community gardening, micro-business development, nutrition education, and wellness activities for refugees and immigrants. BGF helped build fence to protect garden from wildlife.
• GOALS HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Haiti working with the village of Destra to implement toilet and water solutions.
• Central Little LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit youth baseball organization serving over 500 children annually. BGF built covered batting cage with concrete pad, partnering with multiple local construction firms.
• PARC (Parkinson's Activity and Resource Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit Parkinson's gym (formerly Rock Steady Boxing Charlottesville). BGF completed full uplift of new space including rubber flooring, drywall, painting, HVAC, electrical upgrades, fire suppression, and heavy boxing equipment installation.
• Charlottesville BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional ballet company and nonprofit serving over 700 students. BGF created state-of-the-art studios at IX Art Park with Harlequin sprung dance floors, barres, mirrors, ADA kitchen, and accessible ramps.
• St. John Family Life & Fitness CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Rosenwald school renovation in Cobham neighborhood. BGF's largest local project to date transformed former Black school into health, fitness, event, and museum space serving seniors and community.
• Botanical Garden of the PiedmontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build five benches and one picnic table for trail system. Volunteers from Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary Club and Nest Realty participated.
• Camp Holiday TrailsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGF built new floating waterfront dock for summer camp. Completed in two days with volunteer Project Manager coordinating resources.
• Blue Ridge Mountains Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity service organization partnering on volunteer projects including Botanical Garden bench construction.
• Nacho Painting, Drywall, and MoreminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate partner providing painting, drywall, and finishing work for homeowner repair projects.
• Design Electric, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal electrical contractor that installed 60 fence posts for IRC New Roots Garden project.
• Beck CohenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal HVAC/plumbing company providing heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical services. Partnered on homeowner repair projects for nearly 70 years in Charlottesville area.
• Nest RealtyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRealty company with volunteers participating in BGF projects including Botanical Garden bench construction.
• Rockfish Valley Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership dating back to 2012 for community projects including nearly 10,000 square foot skate ramp construction.
• C-Street Cooperative PreschoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner50+ year old preschool received playground fence replacement through volunteer efforts.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Global Volunteers: Operates volunteer service programs in the U.S. and abroad including construction of homes, schools, and community facilities — comparable model of paid volunteer trips supporting community construction.
• BuildOn: Constructs schools in low-income communities internationally and runs domestic service-learning programs; highly comparable to BGF's school-construction work with Limitless Horizons Ixil and Nicolás Fund for Education in Guatemala.
• All Hands and Hearts: Volunteer-powered disaster response and recovery nonprofit that builds and rebuilds homes, schools, and community spaces internationally and domestically — the closest operational analog to BGF's skilled-volunteer construction model.
• Engineers Without Borders USA: Partners professional engineers and tradespeople with underserved communities on infrastructure projects (schools, water systems, buildings) — a direct peer in the skilled-volunteer community-build category.
• Bridges to Prosperity: Builds pedestrian bridges in rural developing countries using professional volunteers and partner communities — shares BGF's volunteer-engineering DNA and rural infrastructure focus, though in a different asset class (bridges vs. buildings).

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: The largest volunteer-driven homebuilding nonprofit globally, with international and U.S. affiliates that build affordable housing for low-income families — directly comparable mission and volunteer-build delivery model to BGF, but at vastly greater scale and brand recognition.
• Corus International: Large international development organization with programs across Haiti and Latin America in health, education, and community infrastructure — comparable geographic footprint and beneficiary communities, though at a much larger scale.

Emerging players

• New Story: Nonprofit that builds homes for families in developing countries (notably Haiti and Latin America), increasingly using innovative construction methods — overlaps with BGF on Haiti housing and international family-shelter focus.
• ReBuild Global: Volunteer-driven construction nonprofit building schools and homes in Central America and the Caribbean — directly comparable geography (Guatemala, Haiti) and program types.
• ShelterBox: International disaster relief nonprofit providing emergency shelter and housing solutions, with active programs in Haiti and Latin America — comparable beneficiary geography and shelter-delivery mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BGFCville
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/building-goodness-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Building Goodness Foundation