Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc.

What Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc. does

Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing organization (EIN 57-0916245) founded in 1990 and headquartered at 21 Brendan Lane, Bluffton, South Carolina. The affiliate serves families earning up to 80% of area median income (with a $40,000 income floor) in Beaufort and Jasper Counties through an interest-free, no-profit mortgage model combined with mandatory sweat-equity hours and pre-homeownership financial education. Since 1990 the organization has placed 195 partner families into homes and reports a foreclosure rate below 2%, well under typical mortgage default benchmarks. Approximately 80% of construction labor is performed by 300-400 volunteers annually, and skilled foremen supervise Tuesday-Friday morning shifts.

The operating model is a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core Home Construction Partnership is supplemented by two ReStore retail locations (Bluffton at 18 Plantation Park Drive and Beaufort at 612 Parris Island Gateway) that sell donated furniture, appliances, and building materials and added a Deconstruction Program in 2023; a Cars for Homes vehicle donation program processed through Car Donation Wizard and Advanced Remarketing Services; structured house-sponsorship tiers from $10,000 (lot preparation) to $140,000 (exclusive home builder); a Hope Builders monthly giving program with $10-$100 tiers; the Women Build program targeting female-headed households at a $110,000-per-home fundraising target; the Realtor Build program with the Hilton Head Area REALTORS (9 homes completed, 10th in progress); and dedicated community-sponsorship programs for Colleton River (18 completed, 19th funding), Bray's Island (3 completed, 4th funding), Dataw Island (3 completed, 4th funding), and Fripp Island (2 completed, 3rd funding). Annual fundraising events include the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K, part of the Beaufort Triple Crown Race Series, and a September golf tournament that has cumulatively funded 14 homes.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual donations (cash, credit card, checks, stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, real estate, IRA transfers), corporate sponsorships, community group fundraisers, ReStore retail, vehicle donations, monthly recurring gifts, planned/legacy giving through a separate lowcountryhabitatlegacy.org portal, honor and memorial gifts, and event proceeds. Marketing and donor acquisition are entirely community-led: there is no sales force, no paid advertising spend disclosed, and growth is driven by word-of-mouth from partner families, volunteer engagement, corporate CSR outreach, and HOA/church/civic partnerships. Operational technology is limited to standard nonprofit SaaS — Bloomerang for volunteer registration, RunSignup and QGIV for event registration and sponsorship, and Online Donation Pickup for ReStore logistics — with no proprietary platform, AI/ML components, or app ecosystem.

Name

Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc.

Legal name

Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc.

Website

https://lowcountryhabitat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity is a Bluffton, South Carolina-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and finances interest-free affordable homes for low-income families in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, supported by two ReStores, a vehicle donation program, annual events, and a 300-400 volunteer workforce, with 195 homes placed since 1990.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Construction

NAICS

New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

Keywords

• Affordable housing construction
• Nonprofit homebuilding
• Homeownership partnership
• Volunteer construction programs
• Donated goods retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Bluffton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations provide the primary funding for home construction. Donors can give one-time or recurring (monthly) contributions. Options include cash, credit card, check, stocks, bonds, cryptocurrency, real estate, and IRA transfers. Tax-deductible gifts support building materials, land acquisition, and program operations.
2. Cars for Homes Vehicle Donation Program: Vehicle donation program accepts cars, trucks, boats, RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles (running or not). Proceeds from vehicle sales (84-87% of gross revenue) go directly to Habitat programs. 80% of HFHI funding helps local affiliates build and repair housing.
3. ReStore Retail Operations: Two ReStore locations (Beaufort and Bluffton) sell donated furniture, appliances, building materials, and household goods. Proceeds from retail sales fund home construction in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Stores accept donations and offer free pickup service.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual events including Turkey Trot 5K (Thanksgiving) and Golf Tournament generate funds for specific homes. Turkey Trot is part of the Beaufort Triple Crown Race Series. Golf Tournament proceeds fund dedicated Habitat homes.
5. House Sponsorship Programs: Corporate and community groups sponsor homes at various levels ($140,000 exclusive builder, $100,000 full house, $70,000 half house, $10,000 lot preparation). Sponsors receive signage, event recognition, and participation in dedication ceremonies.
6. Monthly Giving Program: Recurring monthly donations provide steady funding for operations. Donors join the 'Hope Builders' community with automatic monthly contributions at various levels ($10, $25, $50, $100).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry partners with low-income families in Beaufort and Jasper counties to build and sell affordable homes. Qualifying families contribute sweat equity hours, attend homeownership education workshops, and pay an interest-free, no-profit mortgage. The organization supplements its core program with ReStore retail operations (donated furniture, appliances, and building materials), a vehicle donation program, recurring giving, and event-based fundraising to finance construction. Since 1990, the organization has placed 195 families into homes with a foreclosure rate below 2%.

Product overview

Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry is a nonprofit affordable housing organization operating a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on its core home construction and homeownership partnership. The core product is the Home Construction Partnership, in which families earning up to 80% of area median income contribute sweat equity and pay an interest-free mortgage in exchange for an affordable home. The ReStores (Bluffton and Beaufort) serve as retail fundraising channels, selling donated goods to fund construction while diverting materials from landfills. The Cars for Homes vehicle donation program, monthly giving, and planned giving programs provide diversified donation mechanisms. Fundraising events including the Turkey Trot 5K and Annual Golf Tournament generate direct construction funding. Specialized programs like Women Build and Realtor Build channel community groups into sponsorship. All these programs feed into the shared mission of building affordable homes in Beaufort and Jasper counties, with 195 families served since 1990.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cars for Homes: Vehicle donation program accepting cars, trucks, RVs, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles to support local families.
• ReStore

Products and services

• Home Construction Partnership Core Habitat program partnering with qualifying families to build and transfer affordable homes. Families contribute sweat equity, attend homeownership workshops, and pay an interest-free, no-profit mortgage.
• Homeowner Qualification & Selection Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 195 families placed in homes since 1990 in Beaufort and Jasper counties
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hilton Head Area REALTORScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRealtor Build program where local real estate professionals collectively sponsor and build Habitat homes. Have built 9 houses together and are working on House #10. Leverages realtor networks and industry standing to raise funds and awareness for affordable housing.
• Bray's Island CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collective sponsors Habitat homes through fundraising and volunteer coordination. Has completed 3 homes and is funding the 4th Habitat home. Residents actively participate in building.
• Dataw Island CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity group that has built 3 homes and is close to completing funding for their 4th Habitat home. Residents contribute both funds and volunteer labor.
• Fripp Island CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFripp Island residents have built 2 homes and are fundraising for their 3rd Habitat home. Strong community tradition of giving back.
• Colleton River Club Friends of HabitatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColleton River community has been a cornerstone supporter, having built 18 Habitat homes. Currently raising funds for the 19th home. Significant long-term partnership with dedicated volunteer engagement.
• Oldfield CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular volunteer group contributing labor to home construction at Bees Creek Pines. Multiple group volunteer days documented.
• May River DermatologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer group that has sent multiple teams to help build homes, including at Bees Creek Pines and Evelina Road sites.
• City of HardeevilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal staff and city council members participated in volunteer build day at Bees Creek Pines.
• Sun City Community AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity group whose residents volunteer on home construction projects, including landscaping work.
• AssociaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOA management company for Bees Creek Pines subdivision where homes are being built. Sent volunteer groups to help with construction.
• Ward EdwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm whose employees volunteered on construction projects, braving summer heat to help build homes.
• Bank of America and Merrill LynchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployees joined regular volunteers on job site in November, contributing labor to home construction.
• Rotary Club of the LowcountryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService organization that helped continue work on homes in Ridgeland along with regular volunteers.
• Nimmer Turf FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated sod and installation for all three homes at Bees Creek Pines subdivision, contributing landscaping materials and labor.
• Dataw Island Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurchased plants for landscaping at final Bees Creek home, with residents Bill and Bobbi Weber installing them.
• Lowcountry MontessoriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool community contributing student volunteers and coordinating with Sun City Garden Club for landscaping installation.
• Town of Hilton Head IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal volunteers from Town departments joined to help at Evelina Road build site on Hilton Head Island.
• Hampton Lake CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity residents joined construction crew at Evelina Road project to contribute volunteer labor.
• Beaufort Area YPD (AME Connectional Church)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch youth group that participated in volunteer construction work at Bees Creek Pines.
• Advanced Remarketing ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAgency that processes car donations for Habitat. Donors transfer title directly to this company when donating vehicles to support local Habitat programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coastal Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity affiliate operating in the Charleston coastal region. Runs an essentially identical model — partner family selection, volunteer construction, ReStore retail, and corporate sponsorship — directly comparable in scale and mission to the Lowcountry affiliate.
• Homes of Hope: South Carolina-based nonprofit affordable housing developer that builds homes using volunteer labor and partner-family sweat equity. Closely aligned mission, model, and funding mechanics make it a strong programmatic peer within the same state.
• Habitat for Humanity of Omaha: Mid-size Habitat for Humanity affiliate running the same partner-family, volunteer-built affordable housing model with multiple ReStore locations. Comparable in scale and operating structure to Lowcountry Habitat, providing a useful benchmark outside of coastal South Carolina.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greenville: Mid-size South Carolina Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Runs the same home construction, ReStore, volunteer engagement, and homeownership partnership programs, providing a same-state benchmark for affiliate scale and operational maturity.
• East Cooper Habitat for Humanity: Direct neighbor Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving the Charleston tri-county area. Operates the same home construction, ReStore, and volunteer-driven affordable housing model in an adjacent coastal South Carolina market, making it the closest geographic and operational peer.

Regional players

• Family Promise of the Lowcountry: Nonprofit serving the same Lowcountry region with housing-related services for families and children at risk of homelessness. Operates in an overlapping service geography with a complementary housing-stability mission.
• One80 Place: Charleston-area nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Operates in the broader Lowcountry region with an adjacent affordable housing and shelter mission.
• Beaufort Jasper Hampton EOC: Community action agency serving the same Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties in coastal South Carolina. Operates overlapping social services and housing-related programs in the Lowcountry region, providing a regional peer for community-based service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Parent network of all local Habitat affiliates. While not a direct competitor, it sets program standards, channels the Cars for Homes vehicle donation proceeds, and provides the brand and operating framework under which Lowcountry Habitat operates.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Large national nonprofit developer and financier of affordable housing. Operates at significantly greater scale and broader geographic footprint, providing a reference point for what scaled nonprofit affordable housing operations look like as a long-horizon benchmark.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lowcountry-habitat-for-humanity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Lowcountry Habitat For Humanity, Inc.