2025-2026 State Service Project
“Habitat for Humanity of Michigan”
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan is a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to providing people with safe and affordable housing. By raising funds, spreading awareness, advocating for safe homes, and providing volunteer opportunities for building them, Habitat provides hope and love for communities throughout our state. The Michigan Association of Business Professionals of America partners with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan this year to strengthen Michigan communities through volunteering, funding, and spreading awareness of what a helping hand can do in Michigan homes.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 when Millard and Linda Fuller launched a movement to address poverty housing, starting with the simple idea that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live. As the years went by, Habitat has grown nationally and internationally, working with affiliates and families to help grow their communities across the world, through financing, volunteering, repairing, and more. Today, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan continues that legacy by working with 45 local affiliates to help families across the state build and repair homes, creating lasting change through the power of home.
VISION
Through this partnership, BPA members have the opportunity to engage in a plethora of benefits including, but not limited to:
Leadership & Project Management Skills: By organizing events and fundraisers to support Habitat for Humanity of Michigan and their mission, members will gain valuable leadership experience and learn project management skills in doing so.
Networking Opportunities: Members will be able to network with people working with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan such as volunteers, or even members in their own communities to help execute their events that support Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.
Compassion: Working with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan educates members and raises awareness of the difficulties faced by those who can’t afford to have proper housing. Members are able to put action with their compassion, and actively help families gain homes they can feel safe in.
Sense of Accomplishment: Members will be able to look back on something that they organized and feel good about the work they did to support those in need of homes through Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.
How YouR Chapter Can Help
You can help support Habitat for Humanity’s mission in several ways. Whether it be through volunteering, donations, or even just spreading awareness about the organization, your support will go a long way. Below is a list of a few different ways you can help Habitat heal homes:
How to participate as an individual (or with a group)
Volunteer at a Build Site: Get hands-on experience by volunteering at a local Habitat build. You may need a parent/guardian’s permission if under 18, but it’s a great way to see the direct impact you’re making.
Collect and Donate “ReStore” Materials: Donate home improvement materials to your local Habitat affiliate, such as: paint, furniture, appliances, cabinets, and more.
Merchandise Fundraiser: Design and sell Habitat for Humanity themed items like shirts, cups, bags, hats, to raise funds or just spread awareness for homebuilding efforts.
Social Media: Use social media to spread awareness of Habitat’s cause, and to show others what you’ve been doing. Here are some examples:
#BuiltByBPA Posts:
If you participate in a build or volunteer event, post photos using #BuiltByBPA to inspire others and show what BPA members are doing for their communities.
“I’m Passing the Hammer” Posts:
Start a video chain where you and other BPA members pass a hammer (real or symbolic) between clips, highlighting everyone doing their part for Habitat. Add facts or short quotes about what Habitat means to you!
#1ThingForHabitat Challenge:
Post one thing you’ve done—big or small—to support Habitat for Humanity using the hashtag #1ThingForHabitat. This can be anything from volunteering to raising awareness or donating supplies
Welcome Home Care Package: Put together a small care package with snacks, handwritten cards, and household essentials to help a Habitat family feel at home on move-in day.
How to participate as a class or a school
Start a Habitat ReStore Materials Drive: Pick a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore and organize a donation drive to collect new or gently used items from their needs list—like tools, furniture, or home goods. This is a great way to involve classmates, staff, and families while directly supporting Habitat’s ability to fund homebuilding projects.
Bake Sale for Building Homes: Host a bake sale at your school to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. Include signs or flyers about Habitat’s mission to help raise awareness while selling your treats. The funds can go directly to your local affiliate to help build or repair homes.
Host a Habitat Speaker or Workshop: Invite someone from your local Habitat affiliate to speak about their work, or hold a workshop on homebuilding basics, budgeting, or volunteer opportunities.
Organize a Habitat-themed Art or Essay Contest: Encourage students to create artwork or write essays on the theme of “What Home Means to Me” or “Building Strong Communities.” Display submissions around school to raise awareness.
Coordinate a School Yard or Community Clean-Up: Organize a day where students help clean up a local park, neighborhood, or school grounds—showing community care and helping build a stronger environment for everyone.
Build Mini Birdhouses or Planter Boxes: Host a fun building project where students create small birdhouses or planter boxes that can be donated to local community gardens, schools, or Habitat events.
SPECIAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
October 7th - World Habitat Day: A day to celebrate our homes, and reflect on the state of our towns, cities, and neighborhoods around us and around the world.
December 1st-5th - Gingerbread Competition: Bake, make, and decorate your very own gingerbread house to submit via Google Forms this December to enter into a Gingerbread House Competition where your fellow members will vote for the best house built. Voting will be done first by the SEC to choose the top five houses, then the best Gingerbread house out of the five will be voted by a poll on Michigan BPA’s Instagram.
MONTHLY IDEAS
September
Tool & Supply Drive: Host a drive to collect basic tools and supplies (like gloves, paintbrushes, screwdrivers, or tape measures) to donate to your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
DIY Workshop Night: Partner with a local hardware store or shop teacher to hold a DIY night where students learn basic building or repair skills and raise awareness about Habitat’s mission.
October
Pumpkin Painting Fundraiser: Host a pumpkin painting event where students or community members decorate pumpkins (real or craft). Charge a small fee to participate and display the creations around school. Funds raised can go directly to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.
“Fall for Homes” Awareness Campaign: Share facts about housing insecurity and Habitat’s impact on social media or around your school with fall-themed posters or bulletin boards.
November
Gratitude Wall or Notes for Habitat Families: Encourage students to write thank-you notes or uplifting messages to Habitat volunteers or families moving into new homes.
Fall Clean-Up Event: Organize a neighborhood raking and yard clean-up event. Accept donations or do it in partnership with local Habitat affiliates to help prepare homes for winter.
December
Winter Warmth Drive: Collect new or gently used blankets, socks, gloves, or space heaters to support Habitat families or other housing-insecure families in your community.
Holiday Wreath or Ornament Sale: Create and sell winter crafts like wreaths or ornaments to raise funds for your local Habitat chapter.
January
“Fresh Start, Fresh Space” Organization Drive: Start the new year by collecting home organization items like storage bins, cleaning supplies, or shelving units to donate to Habitat partner families or ReStores.
Winter Tool Collection: Ask your school or community to donate tools needed for winter home repairs—like snow shovels, ice melt, or caulking materials.
February
"Hearts for Homes" Valentine's Fundraiser: Sell heart-shaped cookies, treats, or notes of encouragement with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity.
“Love Builds” Social Media Campaign: Throughout the month, post quotes and statistics about why housing matters, using hashtags like #LoveBuilds or #BuiltByBPA.
March
Mini Habitat Build Challenge: Have students or classes compete to build creative small-scale homes out of recyclable materials like cardboard or popsicle sticks. Display them around school and collect donations to vote on favorites.
Tool Time Trivia Night: Host a trivia competition focused on tools, construction, Habitat history, and housing issues. Charge a small team entry fee to raise funds.
April
Earth Day Build-a-Box: Celebrate Earth Day by decorating and planting planter boxes or vertical gardens to donate to Habitat families or local community gardens.
Spring Cleaning for a Cause: Organize a spring cleaning donation drive where families donate gently used items to a Habitat ReStore.
May
"Home Sweet Home" Fair: Host an end-of-year event featuring games, food, and activities that raise awareness and money for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.
Thank You Video Campaign: Create and post short thank-you videos from BPA members to Habitat volunteers, donors, and partner families—celebrating the work done throughout the year.
Recognition and Awards
Community Involvement Award: Every year, Michigan BPA presents this award at the State Leadership Conference to the chapter that has done outstanding work for our State Service Project. This year, the chapter that shows true dedication to helping Habitat's cause and gives time and energy to the families in need will receive the award. Proof of involvement will be submitted through the Michigan BPA website via Google Forms.
Torch Awards Program: By engaging in activities through the State Service Project, members may earn torch award points in the Leadership, Service, Cooperation, and Love/Hope/Faith categories and earn themselves levels of recognition.
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan offers Michigan BPA members the opportunity to broaden their skills in various categories: leadership, network building, community service, etc. This also helps members build their resume for future use through a valuable act of community service. This partnership offers Michigan BPA members countless personal and professional growth opportunities.
(Source: Habitat for Humanity of Michigan)
Community Involvement Award
Chapters who participate in the state service project may apply for the Michigan BPA Community Involvement Award. By participating, your chapter will be eligible to be recognized at the state leadership conference.