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As we move into the final months of the year, many retirees are taking a closer look at their finances, particularly their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). If you are age 73 or older and have funds in an eligible IRA (Traditional, Rollover, or Inherited), the IRS requires you to withdraw a certain percentage from your tax-deferred retirement accounts each year. While many people rely on these withdrawals for living expenses, others find they don’t necessarily need the income. The catch? These distributions are subject to income tax. For those in higher tax brackets, the required withdrawals can create a significant tax burden. But there’s good news. The IRS offers a unique option for charitable-minded retirees: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution? If you’re age 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to a qualified charity without paying any income tax on the gift. The distribution must be made directly from your IRA to an eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with a maximum annual limit of $108,000 per individual and $216,000 for married couples filing jointly. Instead of withdrawing the money yourself (and owing taxes on it), you can direct your financial institution to send the funds to the charity of your choice. Plus, with a QCD, the distribution does not get treated as income, reducing your risk of entering a higher tax bracket. Here’s a real-world example for you: Say your RMD is $25,000 and you’re in a 28% tax bracket. Normally, you’d owe about $7,000 in taxes on that withdrawal. But if you decide to donate $10,000 of your distribution to a charity using the QCD, the amount will go directly to the charity tax-free and you’ve decreased your tax burden by around $2,800 and you’ve supported a cause you care about. It’s truly a win-win!  Other Smart Ways to Give
At Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, we’ve been blessed by supporters who have found creative and meaningful ways to give: Stock donations – If you’ve invested in stocks that have gained significant value (think Procter & Gamble, Apple, or Microsoft), you can donate the stock directly to Habitat. You minimize your capital gains tax, become eligible for an immediate income tax deduction, and Habitat will receive the full value of your gift. Legacy gifts – Recently, an anonymous supporter left Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity a perennial gift though naming us as a beneficiary on several of her accounts. This has fully funded an entire home in our Habitat Homestead development. In the future when this house is sold to a future homebuyer, we will be able to reinvest the proceeds over time and this gift will have the potential to fund up to five additional homes. Talk about the ripple effect of generosity! Beneficiary designations – You can name Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity as a full or partial beneficiary on retirement accounts, investment funds, or insurance policies. Any change like this allows you to leave a lasting legacy without impacting your day-to-day finances. Why Act Now? Qualified Charitable Distributions must be completed by December 31. Because the funds need to be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to the charity (you cannot take the money yourself and then donate it), it’s important to allow enough time for processing. This is why many people use this season to meet with their financial advisors, update beneficiaries, and make decisions about their charitable giving. If you’ve ever thought about making an impact with your legacy, now is the perfect time to explore your options. If the idea of charitable giving resonates with you, we encourage you to:
At the heart of all charitable giving is this question: How do you take what’s most important to you and pay it forward? For many of our supporters, the answer is clear; invest in homes, communities, and futures. Every house tells a story. Every neighborhood carries generations of memories, laughter, and connection. At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that when we strengthen homes, we strengthen communities, and that’s exactly what Rock the Block is all about. Rock the Block is a community revitalization program where volunteers, homeowners, and partners come together to complete exterior repair, maintenance, and beautification upgrades in a specific neighborhood. From porch repairs to accessibility updates and yard cleanups, these efforts create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods where families can continue to thrive. But Rock the Block isn’t just about paint, nails, or new landscaping. It’s about people. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, families finding renewed pride in their homes, and communities coming together to work toward a common goal.  Britney’s Story: Home is Where Her Roots Are For Britney, homeownership came at a young age. At just 23, she purchased her home on Columbia Avenue and she considered it her first big step into adulthood. That home became the setting for countless milestones and it’s where she’s built a life as a single mom. “This house holds so many memories,” Britney shared. “It’s where I brought both my boys home. It’s small, but it’s ours.” Her ties to the neighborhood run deep. Britney was raised by a single mom who lives on Park Street, and her grandma lived just across the street before she passed. Needless to say, there are great memories for Britney on nearly every block. She loves the way her neighborhood feels like a family, still. “We’re nosy in the best way,” Britney laughed. “Neighbors are always watching out, lending a hand, and handing out popsicles to the kids. It means a lot to me.” Britney applied to the Rock the Block program with and mentioned that there were some yard and porch updates on her wish list. First, she wanted help clearing out some old pavers and a broken flag pole because they get in the way of football and baseball practices with her boys (she coaches both and loves bonding with her kiddos in this way). In addition to some yard upgrades, her dream is to have a porch that’s safe enough to use. She really enjoys sitting outside, especially when a storm is rolling in. We will be working alongside a licensed contractor to take down her current porch and build a new one that is large enough and safe enough for her to sit with her kids whenever she wants. For Britney, it’s not just about fixing up her house. It’s about ensuring her boys grow up with the same sense of belonging and stability she once felt in this same neighborhood. Catherine’s Story: A Fresh Start in Green Bay When Catherine bought her home on Gray Street, it was a fresh start. After relocating from Chicago, she fell in love with Green Bay’s energy, its people, and of course, the irresistible energy of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field. She was thrilled to find a home that was close enough to experience that energy on home game days. Since she is a veteran, Catherine was able to use her VA benefits to purchase the home, just as her three children moved back in with her during the pandemic. “I finally felt like I belonged,” she said. “This city has become such a part of my life. I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else.” But the joy of homeownership came with a few unexpected challenges (as it often does). Hidden issues like a deteriorating porch and broken stairs made her home feel unsafe and overwhelming to maintain, especially as she was recovering from two hip replacement surgeries. “The porch felt impossible,” Catherine admitted. “It wasn’t something I could do on my own — not financially and not physically.” Through Rock the Block, her porch is being rebuilt, which will give her peace of mind. “Now I can walk outside without worrying that a board might give out, and I feel safe letting others use it too.” Along with our amazing volunteers, we will also be removing a non-functional hot tub that takes up a lot of space in her backyard. Once it’s gone, she and her children will be able to reclaim the space and add a garden that they can nurture together.  The Lasting Impact of Rock the Block
At Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, we believe lasting change happens when people come together. Rock the Block is a neighborhood revitalization event, but it’s also proof of the power of partnership. When businesses, community groups, and neighbors unite around a shared purpose, incredible things can happen. For homeowners like Britney and Catherine, Rock the Block brings peace of mind, stability, and the comfort of knowing they don’t have to face challenges alone. Even small updates like safer porches, open yards for kids to play, and restful spaces that bring families together. And when volunteers and neighbors roll up their sleeves side by side, they don’t just improve homes — they strengthen the entire community. How much do you really know about us? We wanted to answer some of the questions we hear most about the work we do at Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. We hope it helps give you a better understanding about our mission and our impact in the community! Are Habitat for Humanity houses free?No, we do not give away houses for free. Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity builds new construction homes in Brown County and sells them to individuals at a 0% interest mortgage. We are able to keep homes affordable by utilizing volunteer labor and because of partnerships and generous donations from local contractors and suppliers. How does someone qualify to be a home buyer? Individuals and families who are in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership. Their ability to repay an affordable mortgage, as well as their level of housing need and willingness to partner with us, are among the selection criteria for becoming a future homeowner. Future homeowners receive financial education and spend several hundred hours working alongside our volunteers on the build site. This “sweat equity” can take the form of building their own home, other Habitat homes, attending workshops, classes, volunteering at fundraisers or events, and providing assistance in the ReStore. Learn more about what it takes to become a Habitat homeowner. Did Jimmy Carter really start Habitat for Humanity?President and Mrs. Carter are undoubtedly Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers. They worked tirelessly to help families build houses and raise awareness for more than 35 years. However, they were not the ones who started the organization. Habitat for Humanity was actually founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. Habitat for Humanity began at Koinonia Farm in Georgia, which was started by Clarence Jordan. In the early 1970s, Jordan partnered with the Fullers to create “partnership housing.” This is where people in need helped build their own homes alongside volunteers. The homes were sold at no profit, and money came from no-interest loans, house payments, and donations. In 1973, the Fullers tested the idea in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and after three successful years, they returned to the United States and started Habitat for Humanity.  Does Habitat for Humanity also update existing houses?Habitat is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has a decent place to live. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accomplish that mission. Most of the work we do is centered around building new construction homes. But, we also work alongside homeowners within Brown County, Wisconsin to rehabilitate and preserve existing homes in need of repair. Our Rock the Block program focuses on exterior home repairs, maintenance, and landscaping needs. You can learn more about that program here! How does the Habitat for Humanity ReStore work?The Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore is such an important extension of our work. In case you’re not familiar with it, the ReStore is a home improvement store that sells donated and new items to the public. Here, you can purchase furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and SO many other items. Proceeds from the ReStore directly support the work we do on the build sites. In fact, they sponsored three homes on Habitat Homestead. You can learn more about the ReStore here, or feel free to just stop in and browse! Do I have to have construction skills to volunteer?We welcome people with any skill level to volunteer with us on the build site, even beginners. Our construction team will train volunteers in all aspects of building. However, you do have to be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site. If construction work isn’t something you feel called to do, that’s totally okay! You can volunteer in a variety of other ways, from becoming an advocate to helping out in our ReStore. Click here to learn about all of the ways you can volunteer to support our work.  Do you need donations right now?Yes, we need donations in order to advance our work, and we appreciate any financial support we receive. Your generous contributions empower future homeowners to cultivate strength, stability, and independence. By supporting us financially, you're helping families lay the foundation for a brighter future. You can learn more about donating here.
Thanks to the support of people like you, we are able to help dozens of people in our community each year build or improve a place to call home. It will take all of us doing whatever we can to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live!
Natalie is very excited to start working with us and feels strongly about our mission and shared that this is everything she has been looking for.
Please join us in welcoming Natalie to the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity family. We are eagerly looking forward to the connections she will foster and the impact her hard work will make in our community.
We are so excited to bring back Rock the Block for its second year in 2025. In case you’re not familiar with Rock the Block, it is a neighborhood revitalization initiative that brings together volunteers, homeowners, and local organizations to preserve and enhance communities in Greater Green Bay. Rock the Block is unique because instead of building homes from the ground up, our work is focused strictly on exterior home repairs and beautification projects. This year, we are working on homes in the Fisk Addition Neighborhood in the City of Green Bay. We will be supporting dozens of homeowners with free or low-cost repairs; things like painting, landscaping, porch and deck repairs, safety modifications, and more. To qualify, homeowners in the designated neighborhood can apply through our website. They are asked to detail their needs and once approved, we get to work on our end coordinating the project scope, materials, and volunteers needed for the job. A whole lot of planning and teamwork goes into Rock the Block, but the impact it makes on homeowners and the larger community is SO worth it.  Rock the Block’s Impact on VolunteersThe success of Rock the Block rests on the shoulders of our incredible volunteers. It really is neighbors helping neighbors! We have corporate groups, skilled tradespeople, civic groups, and individuals that sign up to work on these projects. Last year, a large group from Elevate97 came out to help when we were working in De Pere. “We had an incredible morning participating in Rock the Block with Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. There’s something truly special about coming together to make a difference in our community!” Other local businesses agree. Resource One Realty, LLC emphasized the importance of investing in neighborhood upkeep: “We believe that a well-maintained neighborhood creates a thriving environment and promotes residential retention for growing families, those who've aged in place, as well as newcomers to our area.” Sober Cuts Woodworking shared their personal hands-on experience: “[I] had a great time helping out some wonderful residents! Over 30 houses are being worked on. I did a lot of painting and finished the day starting a deck build! Feels nice to volunteer.” For many who participated last year, the most enjoyable part of the day was getting to know homeowners and other volunteers. “I just enjoyed working side by side with the homeowners,” one participant said. “They were so happy we were helping — made you feel great!” Another reflected, “I think the most rewarding part of this was talking to the owners of the houses. Everyone I talked to was really grateful for the work we did, and you could tell our help made a big difference in their lives.”
Rock the Block’s Impact on Homeowners For homeowners, the impact of Rock the Block goes far beyond just improved curb appeal (although that is a huge piece of the puzzle). This initiative can actually be life-changing for those participating in the program. Last year, we were able to work on dozens of homes and it was incredible to see the before and after transformations! One homeowner expressed the deep impact our volunteers made. “I’m 75 and needed help with a leak in the roof of our garden shed and painting second-story windows. I’m not sure how I would have gotten the things done that they are going to do. Rock the Block came to my much-needed rescue. Thank you so much!” Others expressed excitement about finally addressing long-overdue repairs: “Removing the diseased tree from our front yard will enable us to again use that space. It will be a positive boost to how we feel about our house and our neighborhood.” “We have a very old farmhouse that has been updated over the years by previous owners,” wrote another De Pere homeowner. “With the way the economy is, we haven't been able to do as much as we would like. When I heard about Rock the Block, I knew I had to apply. Our front porch had become an eyesore and safety issue. Having it redone will really improve the aesthetic and safety of our house.” Another sweet couple who had spent years doing mission work reflected on how meaningful it was to be on the receiving end of support like this: “We love our home and want to keep it looking nice. It’s just getting harder the older we get. This opportunity came at the right time! Thank you for this!”  Join Rock the Block 2025 in SeptemberRock the Block 2025 is taking place September 25, 26, and 27 and we would love it if you joined us! When we come together to support homeowners who face financial or physical barriers, we make it possible for more families to live in safe, stable homes. So come swing a hammer, share your time, and be part of the change!
Click here to learn more about volunteering for Rock the Block 2025 and let’s keep building a better Green Bay — one block at a time. |
Green Bay ReStore
920-338-1650 [email protected] 1967 Allouez Avenue Green Bay, WI 54311 Store Hours: Tuesday - Friday | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday | Closed |
Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity
920-593-3921 [email protected] 1967 Allouez Avenue Green Bay, WI 54311 Please enter through the front office door. Office Hours: Monday- Thursday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
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Non-Proselytizing Policy
Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations (HFH) will not proselytize. Nor will HFH work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFH. This means that HFH will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must (i) adhere to or convert to a particular faith or (ii) listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. |