'Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live'
An interview with Matthew Moy Johnson, CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.
Q: Tell us about Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.
A: Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity was created as a support organization for the eight local Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the Chicagoland area, with a goal of significantly increasing the number of families served in the region. Habitat is committed to creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive; to revitalizing neighborhoods and building communities; and to helping transform generations through homeownership. We do this by making housing affordable to hardworking people without access to conventional financing and offer individuals a hand up, fueled by our belief in dignity, self-sufficiency, collaboration and hope.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: The eight local Habitat for Humanity affiliates serve Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.
Q: What is your mission?
A: Our vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Q: The organization has seen tremendous growth. What is the key to the growth?
A: Habitat has seen steady growth over the years - internationally, regionally and locally - because we offer a time-tested, reliable product: Affordable housing with accountability, community engagement with results. When companies are examining need, they look to see what market niche is not being served; in the case of Habitat for Humanity, we have been serving hardworking individuals and families who have jobs and careers but do not make enough for a traditional mortgage.
Q: What are people in your industry taking about?
A: Nonprofit organizations have long known that strong programs are not enough - they need strong people and adequate resources to run them. But funders naturally gravitate toward supporting program expenses, leaving general operating and capacity-building expenses, such as training and technology on the chopping block all too often. In recent years we've seen a very welcome shift, with more corporate philanthropic dollars and foundation grants being directed toward the behind-the-scenes efforts that make nonprofit work more effective.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What is your past experience in the industry?
A: I grew up mostly in Mundelein and La Grange, before moving briefly to Ohio and then returning to Illinois for college. I have been involved in the nonprofit sector for 25 years. I began my career at Habitat for Humanity headquarters in Georgia, which originally sparked my interest in the nonprofit sector.
Q: Tell us an interesting fact about Habitat for Humanity.
A: While Jimmy Carter is our most famous volunteer, he is not the founder of Habitat for Humanity. That designation belongs to Millard and Linda Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity International in 1976.
Former President Carter, however, has been an incredible ambassador for raising awareness about our work; thanks in part to him, no doubt, Habitat for Humanity was recently named "Brand of the Year" in the social services nonprofit category for the second year in a row based on the 2016 Harris Poll EquiTrend Equity Score.
Q: Two people to follow on Twitter.
A: Adam Bryant (@nytcorneroffice) and Independent Sector (@indsector)
Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity
Headquarters: 233 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60601-5802
CEO: Matthew Moy Johnson, CEO
Budget: Collectively, $16 million for all nine Habitat entities in Chicagoland (2015)
Started: Oct. 29, 1998
Web address: www.chicagolandhabitat.org