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Housing

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Issues » Housing


How can my giving help to provide and improve housing in struggling neighborhoods and communities? 

Housing is often the starting point from which families move toward self-sufficiency. With stable housing, families can more easily find and keep jobs, stay healthy and engage more effectively in children’s schools and upbringing. 

What do you need to know about housing?  The following links will help break down the components of housing and how your giving can influence this critical community issue. 

How do you want to make change?  For each housing sub-topic, you can explore five Take Action categories. Each walks you through a specific approach to a housing topic and the ways your giving can make a difference. 

Learn More About Housing


Measure the Results

Making a Difference

Melville Charitable Trust sees giving as venture capital

Melville Charitable Trust sees giving as venture capital

Charged by his dying mother to discover a mission for the fledgling Melville Charitable Trust, Frank Melville agreed, with one stipulation: he wasn't interested in supporting “horse shows and bad art.” With little background in philanthropy, Mr. Melville wondered how his small family foundation could truly have an impact in his community. Read More…

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Facts & Figures

  • Estimated giving in 2006 reached $295.02 billion, representing 2.2% of the gross domestic product.
  • In 2006 Child Support provided 31% of family income for poor single mothers, which is the second largest source of income (after other earnings). 
  • One-fifth of public school children are in rural schools. 
  • In 2006 Americans contributed over 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service, valuing over $150 billion in service
  • In 2004, only 43% of poor single mothers (with custody of their children) received child support. 


In the News

  • The Internal Revenue Service may need to take further steps to better help the public identify inefficient and ineffective nonprofit organizations, Steven T. Miller, a top tax-agency official, recently told a group of foundation officials and donors. He also said that the agency may take steps to respond to growing Congressional and public concern about charities that hoard assets. Read More...
  • Support for expanding the social safety net to help disadvantaged Americans and sympathy for the plight of the poor has increased, reports the Pew Center.  Read More...
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