Rebuild Upstate

Rebuild Upstate

Website: rebuildupstate.org

Address: 601 Green Ave., Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-603-2708

Facebook Handle: facebook.com/rebuildupstate.org
Instagram Handle: @rebuildupstate

Established: 2007
Number of Employees: 19
Geographic Service Area: Anderson, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties

Funding Sources

• Contract grants: 43%
• Philanthropic grants: 24%
• Charitable gifts: 33%

Mission Statement

Rebuild Upstate is a nonprofit organization that exists to repair the homes of our low-income neighbors, preserving affordable housing in our communities by making houses safer, healthier and more livable.

Impact

Rebuild Upstate repairs around 150 homes each year by engaging with community partners who provide funding, advocacy and volunteer support. The idea is simple: if you protect the home, you protect the homeowner living inside. We serve low-income, older adults, including people with disabilities, veterans and families with children. For the same investment as building one new affordable housing unit, Rebuild Upstate can preserve 15 existing homes. By doing our part, we can help our neighbors remain safe in their homes and restore safety, dignity and comfort through critical home repairs.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Rob Schmidt, chair (NAI Earle Furman, director and shareholder)
Nick Smith, vice chair (First Palmetto Bank, mortgage banker)
Kathy Hodges (Law Offices of Kathleen J. Hodges, LLC, attorney)
Doug Greenwell (Retired – Michelin)
Hunter Gibson (Standard Capital Partners, development manager)
Lisa Gilstrap (Prime Lending, residential mortgage banker)
Lura Godfrey (LMG Architects, owner/architect)
Kady Jacobs (Anger Management of the Upstate, CEO/founder)
Chris Manley (Engenius, founder/emeritus)
Lora Jex (HomeTrust Bank, chief risk officer)
Preston Oglesby (Brasfield & Gorrie, regional director of VDC)
Chris Simcoe (Anderson Stowaway Storage, owner)

Fundraisers and Events

Each year, Rebuild Upstate hosts Wake Up with Rebuild in both Greenville and Anderson. Wake Up with Rebuild is a free breakfast held to raise awareness about the importance of home preservation. The event features breakfast and networking, a brief overview of our home-repair program, and an engaging panel with local community leaders.

A Toast to Home is Rebuild Upstate’s annual silent-auction fundraiser. The event features dinner and drinks for 200-plus guests, a silent auction supported by local businesses and artists, and a celebratory program honoring our community of supporters. This is a ticketed event.

Sponsorship opportunities are currently available for these events. To inquire, reach out to rose.davis@rebuildupstate.org

Volunteer Opportunities

Individual opportunities include volunteering regularly with our Handyman Club, as a site leader or with our RSVP volunteer team (ages 55-plus). Handyman Club volunteers typically have some construction knowledge and assist with skilled tasks such as walk-in shower installations. Site leaders guide volunteer groups through the repair project plan and ensure safety on site. Group volunteers include church groups, community groups and businesses, both small and large. Group volunteers don’t need special training, just a willing heart and the ability to follow instructions. Site leaders will ensure that you know what to do on your build day. Some groups choose to sponsor their build day to assist with project planning and purchasing needed materials.

Giving Opportunities

Donations enable us to complete more repairs for low-income homeowners. Here are several ways to give:

• Make a one-time gift online or by mailed payment
• Become a Porch Partner with a monthly gift of any amount
• Sponsor one repair project, like a ramp, for $2,500
• Sponsor a home with multiple repair needs for $10,000

Rebuild Upstate also accepts donor-advised fund designations, required minimum distributions, gifts of stock, planned gifts and bequests or gifts-in-kind of building materials and services. Event and build-day sponsorship opportunities are available for your business or group throughout the year.