Tithing is a tenet of Habitat for Humanity with affiliates around the world supporting each other’s work. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity hit a Tithe milestone recently – $1M in lifetime tithe – a mark that only six of 62 North Carolina Habitat affiliates have reached. Asheville is the 65^th affiliate in the United States, out of 1,085, to reach this milestone.

Habitat for Humanity’s Director of Affiliate Tithe and Global Engagement Susan Yow acknowledged Asheville Habitat with remarks and presentation of the Mompongo plaque at Habitat’s recent statewide conference. “Asheville Habitat’s tithe program offers many best practices including faithfully tithing since 1986, a global engagement committee that makes thoughtful designation decisions, the sale of Guatemalan goods in the ReStore to support Habitat Guatemala, and a strong response to special requests including the 2005 Sri Lanka tsunami, 2011 Haiti earthquake, and most recently the Ukraine refugee crisis,” Yow shared.

Currently, Asheville Habitat tithes to Habitat in Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Haiti and contributes to the Orphans & Vulnerable Groups Fund, aiding some of the world’s neediest people. The affiliate intends to increase its tithe in the coming years thanks to a large gift from MacKenzie Scott. Asheville Habitat also coordinate Global Village (GV) Builds to work with Habitat affiliates overseas. The last one was to Ethiopia in February before the program was suspended due to Covid.

Asheville Habitat Board Chair and multiple-time Global Village Build participate Kevin Click added, “Tithing spreads generosity and partnership and allocates resources successfully. Most importantly, it reminds us that the human need for housing is universal and that everyone shares the responsibility of ensuring all neighbors near and far deserve access to decent shelter.”

Learn more about Asheville Habitat’s global work here.