ATLANTA (May 14, 2009) – Habitat
for Humanity International
announces today a $100 million
commitment by J. Ronald
Terwilliger. The nine-figure
legacy gift represents the
largest donation from an
individual in Habitat for
Humanity’s history.
“We are humbled by and grateful
for the unprecedented commitment
Ron is making to Habitat for
Humanity. It’s a solid
demonstration of the passion he
has for our mission and for
decent, affordable housing
throughout the world,” said
Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat
for Humanity International.
“Thanks to his generous spirit,
tens of thousands of families
will enjoy greater access to
simple, decent, affordable
shelter worldwide. Habitat for
Humanity is truly honored to be
entrusted with this gift and
will faithfully help Ron put
into action the commitment he
has to adequate housing and to
low-income families.”
Habitat for Humanity
International estimates that
this single donation will help
60,000 families with access to
improved housing conditions.
“In my professional life, I’ve
seen housing strengthen health,
education, families, communities
and economies,” said Terwilliger.
“With this legacy gift to
Habitat for Humanity, I want to
help ensure a leveraged,
sustained impact beyond my
lifetime and inspire others to
make the commitment to support
affordable housing. There are
more than 1.6 billion people
around the world who live in
poverty housing and they need
our help.”
Within five years of the funds
being transferred by
Terwilliger’s estate, 70 percent
of the legacy commitment will be
used by Habitat for housing
micro-financing so that families
in countries around the world
can improve their living
conditions. The remaining 30
percent will be used for the “J.
Ronald Terwilliger Leveraged
Impact Fund.” This endowment for
Habitat for Humanity
International will make annual
distributions to help support
affordable-housing efforts.
Terwilliger joined Habitat for
Humanity’s international board
of directors in 2000, where he
currently serves as chair.
During this time, he has given
more than $3 million to Habitat.
He also has visited Habitat
organizations and worked on
build sites throughout the
United States, Europe, Central
America and Asia.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval
Academy and a Baker Scholar at
Harvard University’s Graduate
School of Business, Terwilliger
went on to become the driving
force behind the nation’s
largest multi-family housing
developer, Trammell Crow
Residential. He retired as CEO
in 2008, but remains the
company’s chairman.
In addition to his board service
with Habitat, Terwilliger has
served on the governing boards
of the Urban Land Institute, the
Enterprise Foundation and the
U.S. Naval Academy. The Urban
Land Institute established the
“J. Ronald Terwilliger Center
for Workforce Housing” that is
dedicated to ensuring that
workforce housing is available
to future generations.
In 2008, Terwilliger was
inducted into the National
Association of Homebuilders
Housing Hall of Fame for being a
leader that is helping to
address affordable housing needs
for working families. In March,
Terwilliger was recognized by
the U.S. Naval Academy as a
“Distinguished Graduate.” In
June, Terwilliger will be
honored as the National Housing
Council’s “Housing Person of the
Year.”