Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

What Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity does

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, now operating as Habitat for Humanity of Illinois following the merger effective June 30, 2026, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Affiliate Support Organization headquartered at 328 S Jefferson St Ste 610, Chicago. The merged entity serves 32 local Habitat affiliates across 30 Illinois counties, providing advocacy, training (via the HIBI program), resource development, strategic partnerships, and operational support to local organizations that build affordable homes, perform critical home repairs, and deliver homeownership opportunities through sweat-equity programs, no-interest or low-interest mortgages capped at 30% of homeowner income, and financial literacy education.

The organization's core products and programs include: the Veterans Build program (annual multi-day veteran-focused builds launched in 2021, now in its sixth year); the HAFHR Home Repair Program funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority providing up to $60,000 per home in three-year forgivable loans for COVID-impacted homeowners; the Regional Repair Collaborative coordinating home repair across five local affiliates; Habitat ReStores (retail operations selling donated furniture, appliances, building materials, and home goods at 50-80% off retail); the Habitat Hero Award Dinner (annual black-tie fundraiser, $1.1M raised in FY2025); First Look for Charity at the Chicago Auto Show; the MPF Habitat Program with FHLBank Chicago delivering below-market mortgage financing; and USDA Rural Development 502 direct loan partnerships for rural homeownership.

The business model is donation-and-grant-driven: individual donations, corporate sponsorships across tiered levels (Presenting through Family Builder), government grants (IHDA, USDA), ReStore retail proceeds, and event fundraising. The organization serves low-to-moderate income families, military veterans, senior homeowners needing aging-in-place modifications, and COVID-impacted homeowners. Key corporate partners include Wintrust ($1.4M+ cumulative, 3,000+ volunteer hours), Wesco International (Presenting Sponsor), UL Solutions, Nicor Gas, USG, James Hardie, ITW, and FHLBank Chicago. Leadership includes CEO Sarah Brachle Wagner, and a Board of Directors drawn from McKinsey, Deloitte Consulting, FTI Consulting, Haynes and Boone, Wintrust Mortgage, James Hardie, and other major institutions.

Name

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

Legal name

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

Website

https://chicagolandhabitat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity (now Habitat for Humanity of Illinois post-June 30, 2026 merger) is a nonprofit Affiliate Support Organization serving 32 local Habitat affiliates across 30 Illinois counties, supporting affordable homeownership, critical home repairs, and veteran housing programs through donations, corporate sponsorships, government grants, and ReStore retail proceeds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Home repair programs
• Nonprofit housing support
• Volunteer home construction
• Homeownership financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters to support affordable housing construction and home repair programs across Illinois.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from corporations at various levels (Presenting, Region Builder, Community Builder, Neighborhood Builder, Home Builder, Family Builder) for signature events and programs.
3. ReStore Retail Operations: Proceeds from Habitat ReStore retail locations selling donated furniture, appliances, building materials, and home goods at 50-80% off retail value. Supports local affiliate missions.
4. Government Grants: Funding from Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) for the Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR), providing up to $60,000 per home for COVID-related repairs.
5. USDA Rural Development Loans: Partnership with USDA Rural Development for 502 direct loan program enabling homeownership in rural communities.
6. MPF Habitat Program: Partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) providing below-market mortgage financing through member financial institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity (now Habitat for Humanity of Illinois) operates as an Affiliate Support Organization that strengthens 32 local Habitat affiliates across Greater Illinois and Chicagoland. The organization builds affordable homes through volunteer labor, provides critical home repair services, offers no-interest or low-interest mortgage financing to low-to-moderate income families, runs the Veterans Build program for veterans, and operates Habitat ReStore retail locations.

Product overview

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois (formerly Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity) operates as a unified Affiliate Support Organization serving 32 Habitat affiliates across Greater Illinois and Chicagoland following the June 30, 2026 merger. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including Veterans Build for veteran housing support, HAFHR home repair program, Regional Repair Collaborative, Habitat ReStores retail operations, Habitat Hero Award Dinner and First Look for Charity fundraising events, HIBI affiliate training, and MPF mortgage financing programs. These programs work together to build new homes, repair existing housing, provide homeownership opportunities through sweat equity and affordable financing, and support local Habitat affiliates with training and resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Habitat Hero Award Dinner: Annual awards dinner recognizing individual and corporate leaders supporting Habitat's mission in Chicagoland. The 11th annual event was held June 9, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago.
• Veterans Build
• Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR)
• Regional Repair Collaborative
• Habitat ReStore
• Habitat Illinois Building Impact (HIBI)
• MPF Habitat for Humanity Program

Products and services

• Veterans Build Program Annual multi-day program empowering military veterans through homeownership opportunities, critical home repairs (roofing, ramps, accessibility modifications), and camaraderie-building volunteer build events at seven sites across the region.
• Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) Program funded by IHDA providing up to $60,000 in three-year forgivable loans to eligible homeowners for critical repairs (health, safety, code violations) delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic financial hardship.
• Regional Repair Collaborative Regional effort coordinating critical home repairs (roofing, electrical, plumbing, foundations, accessibility modifications, aging-in-place improvements) for low-income homeowners across metro Chicago through multiple local Habitat affiliates.
• Habitat ReStore Retail Operations

Quantifiable outcome

• Habitat mortgages set at no more than 30% of homeowner income
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 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 flagship, core and minor.

• FHLBank Chicago (Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Launched Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Habitat for Humanity Program to help member financial institutions partner with Habitat affiliates across Illinois and Wisconsin to deliver below-market mortgage financing to low-to-moderate income homebuyers.
• WintrustflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing corporate partner with over 40 years of involvement. Wintrust employees have contributed 3,000+ volunteer hours and the company has provided $1.4M+ in cash and in-kind support. Wintrust is Regional Sponsor of Habitat's Veterans Home Repair Program and Neighborhood Builder Sponsor of Veterans Build.
• UL SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for 15+ years with volunteer efforts and charitable contributions. Active with multiple affiliates in Chicagoland area including renovations with Habitat of Northern Fox Valley and new builds with Lake-McHenry affiliate.
• Wesco InternationalflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Habitat Hero Award Dinner and inaugural sponsor of the Regional Repair Collaboration in Chicagoland.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTony Gambell, Partner at McKinsey, has championed Habitat for 25+ years volunteering in US, Mexico, and Costa Rica, supporting Gulf Coast disaster recovery, and serving on the board.
• Nicor GascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Builder sponsor of Habitat Hero Award Dinner. VP Meena Beyers serves on the board of directors.
• USGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Builder sponsor of Habitat Hero Award Dinner. Brian Tauke, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, serves on the board.
• James HardiecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNeighborhood Builder sponsor. CEO Aaron Erter serves on the board of directors.
• SkendercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVice President Ashlee Pforr serves as board member and co-chair of Habitat Hero Award Dinner. VP of Interiors role.
• AoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Builder sponsor of Habitat Hero Award Dinner. Anthony Scattone, Deputy Chief People Officer, serves on the board.
• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Builder sponsor. Kimberly Chase Harding, Broker Owner of KCH Team, serves on the board.
• ITW (Illinois Tool Works)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Builder sponsor of Habitat Hero Award Dinner. Jeff Knapton, VP & General Manager of ITW Construction Brands, serves on the board.
• Chick-fil-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLunch Sponsor for Veterans Build events, providing lunch at all build sites.
• Chicago VeteranscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran organization participating in Veterans Build with volunteers joining build events.
• Will County Land UsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Habitat for rural homeownership initiative, providing down payment assistance for Will County development.
• Jesse Brown VAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans Affairs partner that provided assistance to veteran Bruce, connecting him to VA benefits after Habitat repairs.
• DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for HumanitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal affiliate offering home repairs for veterans. Partner in Veterans Build program and home repair initiatives.
• Lake-McHenry Habitat for HumanitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal affiliate offering home repairs for veterans through Veterans Build program.
• Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox ValleycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal affiliate serving northern Kane and western Cook County, offering critical home repairs.
• Will-Grundy Habitat for HumanitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal affiliate offering home repairs for veterans and new home construction.
• Will County Habitat for HumanitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal affiliate that built new home for homebuyer Candace using USDA 502 loan and IHDA down payment assistance.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Housing Trust: Nonprofit focused on preserving and operating affordable rental housing, including energy efficiency and rehabilitation programs. Comparable to Habitat's home repair and preservation programs (e.g., Regional Repair Collaborative) serving low-income homeowners.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that invests in affordable housing and community development, including CDFI lending and advocacy. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit scaling affordable housing supply, with overlapping federal/state partnership models and similar target populations (low-to-moderate income families).
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National nonprofit CDFI that finances affordable housing and community development across urban and rural America, with a strong Chicago presence. Comparable operating model mobilizing corporate, philanthropic, and government capital for affordable housing in metro Chicago.
• Mercy Housing: One of the largest nonprofit affordable housing developers in the U.S., developing and operating affordable rental and homeownership housing. Comparable mission to expand affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, and veterans, with similar reliance on LIHTC, government grants, and philanthropy.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of ~250 nonprofit affordable housing and community development organizations. Comparable as a federated network model supporting local affiliates delivering homeownership, repair, and financial counseling services to similar populations.
• Self-Help Ventures Fund / Self-Help Credit Union: CDFI providing responsible financing for low-income and underserved borrowers, including affordable homeownership lending. Comparable as a nonprofit providing below-market mortgage products to families who lack access to conventional financing, similar to Habitat's MPF and USDA 502 loan programs.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: The global parent organization of the Habitat movement, founded in 1976 and serving 65 million people worldwide. Comparable as the umbrella brand governing all local affiliates including Chicagoland, with shared mission of affordable homeownership and volunteer-driven construction.

Regional players

• BRIDGE Housing: West Coast-focused nonprofit affordable housing developer with ~30,000 homes. Comparable mission and nonprofit-developer model building and preserving affordable housing, though operating in California rather than Illinois.
• Housing Action Illinois: Illinois statewide coalition advancing affordable housing policy and resources, including homeowner counseling and foreclosure prevention. Comparable as a statewide housing advocacy organization with similar Illinois geographic focus and low-income homeowner constituency.

Others

• Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA): State housing finance agency that funds Habitat's HAFHR Home Repair Program and provides down payment assistance. Comparable as a key funding and policy partner in the Illinois affordable housing ecosystem, though operating as a government entity rather than a nonprofit affiliate network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChicagoHabitat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity