Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 that builds and rehabilitates affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families in the Milwaukee metro area, pairing volunteer-led construction, 0% interest mortgages, and a ReStore retail operation to sell homes well below market price.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersMilwaukee, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity does
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 that builds and rehabilitates affordable single-family homes for low- and moderate-income families in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Its core Affordable Homeownership Program sells brand-new homes at $180,000-$210,000 — roughly 33% below the Milwaukee market average of $311,000 — with little-to-no down payment, 0% interest mortgages originated through a network of eight partner lenders, and a 210-hour sweat-equity requirement. The Critical Home Repair program extends 0% interest loans covering up to 80% of project costs to existing homeowners, supplemented by free lead abatement, weatherization, and code-compliance repairs funded through city, county, and state grants. A separate nonprofit ReStore retail operation with two Milwaukee County locations sells donated furniture, appliances, and salvaged building materials, generating both revenue and material flow for construction.
Revenue of $21.1 million in FY2025 is sourced from seven streams: Home Sales ($5.0M, 24%), ReStore Proceeds ($4.2M, 20%), Grant Income ($5.3M, 25%), Contributions ($3.9M, 19%), Donated Goods & Services ($0.9M, 4%), Special Events ($0.7M, 3%), and Investments & Other ($1.2M, 5%). The construction model is volunteer- and in-kind-donation-driven: families contribute labor alongside corporate volunteer teams, and major manufacturers including Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Whirlpool, A.O. Smith, and Johnson Controls supply appliances and fixtures, structurally compressing per-unit construction cost.
The organization operates within an extensive institutional ecosystem that includes multi-decade corporate sponsors (Sargento since 1992, MGIC since 1997, Komatsu since 2011), recent flagship commitments from Northwestern Mutual ($3M+/3 years, 90+ homes in Amani) and Bader Philanthropies ($1.2M/3 years, 51 homes in Harambee), a network of eight institutional mortgage lenders, 25 faith-community partners, pro bono legal counsel from Foley & Lardner and Godfrey & Kahn, and an international tithe program that has directed over $5 million to Habitat affiliates in El Salvador and Zambia since 1984 — placing Milwaukee Habitat among only nine global affiliates to reach that milestone. In 2026 the organization will build its first two homes in West Allis, breaking a 40-year geographic restriction to the City of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
- Legal name
- Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
- Website
- https://milwaukeehabitat.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 that builds and rehabilitates affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families in the Milwaukee metro area, pairing volunteer-led construction, 0% interest mortgages, and a ReStore retail operation to sell homes well below market price.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable Housing Services
- NAICS
- New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Housing Rehabilitation, Weatherization & Home Repair Grant/Loan Programs (FSALAKAJ), Family Room / Great Room Additions (HSAPADAJ)
Keywords
Where Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milwaukee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Home Sales: Revenue from selling newly constructed and rehabilitated homes to qualified first-time homebuyers at affordable prices ($180,000-$210,000 average) with 0% interest mortgages.
- ReStore Proceeds: Revenue from two ReStore retail locations selling donated furniture, appliances, and building materials to the public. Proceeds support affordable homeownership programs.
- Contributions: Individual donations through various programs including Builder's Circle ($1,000+), Carpenter's Club ($10/month), Legacy Society planned gifts, workplace giving, and stock/cryptocurrency donations.
- Grant Income: Government and foundation grants including City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin DOA, and foundation support from Bader Philanthropies, Zilber Family Foundation, and others.
- Donated Goods & Services: In-kind donations of construction materials, tools, and professional services from corporate partners including Milwaukee Tool, Kohler, Whirlpool, and others.
- Special Events: Annual Framing the Future Gala and other fundraising events. 2025 Gala raised $480,000.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for homes (ranging from $3,000 Team Build Days to $150,000 Block Builder packages) and Women Build teams.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Block Builder: $150,000 - exclusively sponsor and build two homes |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Home Builder: $75,000 - exclusively sponsor and build one home |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 2nd Floor: $50,000 - co-sponsor and build one home |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 1st Floor: $25,000 |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Porch: $10,000 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Team Build Days: $3,000 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | In-Kind Partner: Donate building supplies or services |
| Subscription | Annual | Builder's Circle: $1,000+ annual gift |
| Subscription | Monthly | Carpenter's Club: $10+ monthly |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Women Build: $1,500 per team member or team sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Homeownership Program: $180,000-$210,000 average sales price |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Critical Home Repair: 0% interest loans, up to 80% cost coverage based on income |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with qualifying low-income families in Milwaukee. The core offering includes a first-time homebuyer program where families complete 210 hours of sweat equity to purchase brand-new 3-4 bedroom homes at $180,000-$210,000 (vs. market average of $311,000) with 0% interest mortgages. The organization also provides Critical Home Repair services with 0% interest loans for existing homeowners, operates two ReStore retail locations selling donated home goods to fund programs, and delivers grant-funded lead abatement, weatherization, and neighborhood improvement services.
Product overview
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on affordable homeownership rather than a unified software product. The core Affordable Homeownership Program enables first-time homebuyers to build and purchase new homes with minimal down payment. This is supported by the Critical Home Repair program offering affordable repairs to existing homeowners. The ReStore retail operation generates revenue by selling donated home goods. Additional programs include Women Build (volunteer construction), Habitat Young Professionals (YP engagement group), Housing/Race & Equity Workshop (educational), the grant-funded Neighborhood Improvement Project and Milwaukee Healthy Homes Program (free repairs), and the Tithe & Global Engagement program (international building). The organization does not offer a technology platform, API, or SaaS product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Affordable Homeownership Program First-time homebuyer program enabling families to build and purchase brand-new 3-4 bedroom homes with little-to-no down payment. Homes are priced at $180,000-$210,000 (compared to Milwaukee market average of $311,000) with 0% interest mortgages. Homebuyers complete 210 hours of sweat equity and receive financial coaching, education, and support throughout the process.
- Critical Home Repair Affordable home repair services for existing homeowners offering 0% interest loans with up to 80% of project costs covered based on income. Repairs include roof, gutter, chimney, porch, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, and structural work. Veterans receive 50% discount on already-discounted rates.
- ReStore Retail Operation
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,500+ families served since 1984
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Habitat for Humanity InternationalcoreGlobal headquarters provides support, guidance, and brand affiliation. Milwaukee Habitat is one of only 9 affiliates to tithe over $5 million internationally. HFHI SHOP Grant supports homeownership programs.
- Habitat El SalvadorcoreSince 1998, Milwaukee Habitat has partnered with Habitat El Salvador, donating nearly $2 million to serve local families. Global Village trips connect supporters to the work.
- Habitat for Humanity ZambiacoreMilwaukee Habitat partners with Habitat Zambia in Kabwe; Global Village trips allow supporters to build internationally.
- Take Root MilwaukeecoreConsortium of 50+ organizations promoting sustainable homeownership through first-time buyer programs and financial education.
- Community Development Alliance (CDA)coreMilwaukee Habitat partnered with CDA to develop first Collective Affordable Housing Plan in Milwaukee's history, with goal of 64K units for homeownership and affordable rentals.
- A.O. SmithminorMajor in-kind donor providing water heaters and related products for new homes.
- KohlerminorMajor in-kind donor providing kitchen and bath fixtures for new homes.
- WhirlpoolminorMajor in-kind donor providing appliances for all new Habitat homes.
- Foley & LardnerminorProvides pro bono legal services to reduce operational costs.
- Godfrey & KahnminorProvides pro bono legal services to reduce operational costs.
- Acts HousingcorePartnered on Giannis build event to expand affordable homeownership and support family stability through education and financial coaching.
- Habitat WisconsincoreStatewide organization empowering Wisconsin Habitat affiliates to create one voice advocating for affordable homeownership.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing provider that builds, owns, and operates homes for low-income families and seniors. Like Milwaukee Habitat, depends on philanthropic, public, and corporate capital to deliver below-market housing.
- Habitat for Humanity International: Global umbrella organization that supports and brands all U.S. affiliates including Milwaukee Habitat; provides advocacy, training, the HFHI SHOP grant, and global tithe infrastructure that Milwaukee directly participates in.
- NeighborWorks America (network): National network funding and supporting local nonprofit housing counseling, development, and lending organizations that share Milwaukee Habitat's affordable homeownership and home repair mission across the U.S.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution supporting affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization through loans, grants, and capacity building; comparable to Milwaukee Habitat's broader community-development role in distressed Milwaukee neighborhoods.
- Enterprise Community Partners: Large national nonprofit developer and intermediary that finances and develops affordable housing across many markets, offering an institutional comparison point for scale of community development activity.
Direct peers
- Acts Housing: Milwaukee-based nonprofit focused on affordable homeownership acquisition and rehab, paired with financial coaching and education. Partnered with Milwaukee Habitat on the Giannis Antetokounmpo build event and shares the same first-time buyer mission.
- Atlanta Habitat for Humanity: One of the largest U.S. Habitat affiliates, operating the same volunteer-driven new construction and home repair model at significantly greater scale in the Atlanta metro, with comparable corporate sponsor and ReStore revenue streams.
- Habitat for Humanity of Chicago: Regional Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving the Chicago metro area under the same global HFHI model, building and rehabilitating affordable homes through volunteer labor, sweat-equity programs, and corporate sponsorships.
- Rebuilding Together: National nonprofit specializing in affordable home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, mirroring Milwaukee Habitat's Critical Home Repair program and volunteer-driven service delivery.
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston: Large regional Habitat affiliate using the identical new-construction, sweat-equity, and ReStore operating model in a higher-cost Northeast market, providing a comparison for pricing strategy and donor economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity social profiles
Digital presenceMilwaukee Habitat for Humanity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
What does Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity do?
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with qualifying low-income families in Milwaukee. The core offering includes a first-time homebuyer program where families complete 210 hours of sweat equity to purchase brand-new 3-4 bedroom homes at $180,000-$210,000 (vs. market average of $311,000) with 0% interest mortgages. The organization also provides Critical Home Repair services with 0% interest loans for existing homeowners, operates two ReStore retail locations selling donated home goods to fund programs, and delivers grant-funded lead abatement, weatherization, and neighborhood improvement services.
Is Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity a public or private company?
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity founded?
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity based?
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity is headquartered in Milwaukee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Home Sales are the primary driver. The others are reStore Proceeds, contributions, grant Income, donated Goods & Services, special Events and sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mercy Housing, Habitat for Humanity International, NeighborWorks America (network), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Enterprise Community Partners. Direct peers are Acts Housing, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Chicago, Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston.
Does Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.
What industry is Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in?
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity's product category is Affordable Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAI, Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction, with a secondary code of FSALAKAJ, Housing Rehabilitation, Weatherization & Home Repair Grant/Loan Programs. Its NAICS code is 236117 and its SIC code is 1520.