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It is hardly news that Grand Homes has a new home for sale in Mansfield, particularly in this housing market. But this three-bedroom home with 2,100 square feet of living space stands out from others on the market.

When it is sold for about $170,000, every dime will go to Homes for HOPE, which raises money for HOPE International to fund microenterprise loans of $45 to $200. The loans are designed to help hundreds of people start or expand small businesses in countries such as the Congo, Haiti and Afghanistan.

Stephen Brooks, Grand’s CEO, agreed to build the home in Mansfield when a Pennsylvania homebuilder, Jeff Rutt, told him about HOPE, which Rutt had started. That was 18 months ago when the housing market in Texas was strong. By the time Grand, dozens of contractors and the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas (HBA) started building the structure, the housing market had softened. Brooks expected that some of the contractors would bail out on their commitments to build a house for free. But none did.

Mike Lennon, who heads Homes for HOPE, expected Grand and its contractors “to tell us to come back next year. And some [builders] around the country have. But Grand didn’t. It is an amazing story.”

A total of 60 homes have been built in nine states, raising $10 million.

When the Mansfield structure was finished, Grand thought it had a buyer. But then tragedy stuck. The family buying the home was hit in a car accident, and the family’s 2-year-old son suffered a brain injury that hospitalized him and required the mother to leave her job. That resulted in the family being unable to buy the house.

But that wasn’t the end of the story. Grand donated $10,000 for the family’s medical expenses and put the house up for sale again.

“That’s the kind of stuff we can’t get enough of,” Lennon says of Grand Homes’ generosity.

Rutt started HOPE and Homes for HOPE after he went to the Ukraine to deliver food and supplies. A local minister asked Rutt not to bring more supplies because it undercut local businesses.

Rutt then decided to launch HOPE, which is similar to the microenterprise program made famous by Nobel Prize Winner Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. HOPE now makes loans in 14 of the world’s poorest countries. It has about 265,000 clients. And its repayment rate of 99.6 percent would make any banker drool.

“It is a hand up, not a hand out,” Lennon says.

Grand, which was named the HBA’s Builder of the Year this year, has supported a variety of local charities from fighting cancer to hurricane relief. It has built and donated a house in Mexico. Grand staffers built a house for Habitat for Humanity. But Brooks and his team are even more excited about the Homes for HOPE program.

“We are so blessed. We will do it again,” Brooks says.

Appropriately, it is part of the company’s program, called Grand Beginnings.

Stewart Lytle

stewart.lytle@sbcglobal.net

It was a great honor and privilege to be recognized by the Senate of Pennsylvania for my accomplishments as a home builder and for my work with Hope International. Here is a transcript of the letter I received from Senator Gibson E. Armstrong!

Copy of the letter to Jeff Rutt from the Pennsylvania Senate

February 12, 2008
Whereas, Jeffrey C. Rutt, owner and President of Keystone Custom Homes, Inc., is being honored with the 2008 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award; and

Whereas, Mr. Rutt is founder of HOPE International, a Lancaster-based microfinance institution that empowers those living in need around the world to overcome many barriers through the provision of microloans, savings services, training and mentoring. Using his own funds, he founded the organization in 1997. Mr Rutt continues to be actively involved with HOPE International not only as a donor but also by serving as Chairman of its Board of Trustees; and Whereas, To Mr. Rutt’s great credit, Keystone Custom Homes, Inc has been awarded “Builder Magazine’s” America’s Best Home Builder award three times. He has also served as President of the Lancaster Building Industry Association and chaired local committees and boards. Additionally his contributions to local and international causes have been substantive.

Now therefore, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania congratulates Jeffrey C. Rutt on the great honor which has been bestowed upon him; affirmatively states that his noble humanitarian endeavors will long be remembered and appreciated;

And directs that a copy of this document, sponsored by Senator Gibson E. Armstrong, be transmitted to Jeffrey C. Rutt.

I received another extraordinary letter of recognition from the Governor of Pennsylvania on receiving the Hearthstone Builder Humanitarian Award. It was such an honor to not only receive the award but also to be the recipient of this wonderful letter. As I continue my work with Keystone Custom Homes and HOPE International, it is my hope to make Pennsylvania and the world a better place for many.

Letter to Jeff Rutt from the Governor of Pennsylvania

To: Jeff Rutt

It is my pleasure to join with Hearthstone and Builder Magazine in congratulating you on receiving the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award. This is a well-deserved honor and one that I know you will accept with your customary humility and dignity.

It is among our commonwealth’s most honorable traditions to serve one’s fellow citizens and ensure that all may enjoy the benefits of liberty, prosperity and happiness. You have accepted this challenge and demonstrated an extraordinary caliber of character and leadership that will strengthen us all as we work together to forget bold paths to a new Pennsylvania.

With your philanthropy in the home building industry, you established HOPE International, a global, faith-based, non-profit organization focused on poverty alleviation through microenterprise development. HOPE International has invested in the dreams of the poor in the worlds underserved communities so that they might be released from physical and spiritual poverty.

Throughout your career, you have surpassed the highest expectations and ideals of of citizenship and have already accomplished goals beyond what many will reach in a lifetime. Your achievements have rightfully earned you the respect and recognition of your colleagues, community and our entire commonwealth. I thank you for being an inspiration and outstanding role model for Pennsylvania and everyone your work has touched.

As Governor and on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I offer my gratitude and admiration for all you have given to Pennsylvania and the impact you have had on the lives of countless citizens throughout the world. Congratulations on receiving this prestigious award. May you continue to experience great success in all of your future endeavors.

Edward G. Rendell
Governor
March 13, 2008

Through careers in farming, a food plant, construction, and real estate, the creator of the HOPE Growth and Income Endowment saw what it took to succeed in various business endeavors.  Although the industries were different, much of what success required remained the same: hard work, frugality, and wise financial planning.  Through extensive involvement with HOPE International, the anonymous donor has seen these same traits propelling HOPE’s clients to success in fourteen countries around the world.

Even in the midst of an economic downturn that threatened the existence of many non-profits, the donor allocated forty percent of his generous 2009 donation to establish the HOPE Growth and Income Endowment Fund. His purpose was to provide HOPE with a fund that can be used to increase its financial stability in the years ahead, even while providing funds for current microloans.

Through extensive research, the donor knew that there are many effective ways to make a long-term impact through legacy giving.  In the past, he has written charitable gift annuities for other organizations, but for HOPE International he did something he had never done before by creating the endowment.  “Transferring assets into HOPE’S endowment has huge income tax and estate tax benefits. This is a tool that will enable donors to give more to help HOPE in their lifetime,” he explained.

With the endowment’s dual goals of growth and income, contributed funds are invested in quality, income-producing securities.  Seventy percent of the interest and dividend earnings are used to support HOPE’s mission, with the remaining thirty percent used to grow the endowment, which will then increase its annual earnings.  “The HOPE Growth and Income Endowment will create an efficient, long-lasting way to use a donor’s gifts that will grow tax-free and provide annual income to HOPE in perpetuity,” said the endowment’s founder.

The donor’s generosity and forward-thinking benefit HOPE as an institution, but ultimately it’s our clients who benefit.  “HOPE makes very good use of its donors’ gifts by providing microloans that are then repaid, allowing the initial funds to be reused again and again,” he says.  In the years to come, HOPE looks forward to reaching many entrepreneurs through the support of the HOPE Growth and Income Endowment.

As HOPE’s founder and as a businessman, I know the importance of planning for a strong financial future.  HOPE is pleased to be able to accept legacy gifts and grateful to those who wish to partner with us in making a difference through long-term giving.  For more information on how you can get involved, please visit www.hopeinternational.org and select “Make an Impact.”  – Jeff Rutt