Habitat for Humanity earns ‘Platinum Seal of Transparency’ from GuideStar USA

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 23, 2020) – GuideStar USA has awarded the prestigious Platinum Seal of Transparency, its highest level of recognition, to Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties.
According to GuideStar, platinum honorees share accurate, unbiased background information, financial statements, goals and other data that allows potential donors, funders and stakeholders to make educated decisions about nonprofits and the work they do.
Only 740 of 99,382 organizations registered in Florida, or 0.7%, currently have the Platinum Seal, according to GuideStar’s online database. Habitat for Humanity earned the top designation for its willingness to share progress and results in important new ways that move far beyond simplistic financial ratios to reflect the organization’s impact on communities throughout Southwest Florida.
“At Habitat for Humanity, our top priority is empowering hardworking, low-income families to break the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership,” said Vince Modarelli, Habitat’s vice president of community outreach. “It is important for us to share how Habitat has effectively utilized our donors’ immense generosity to serve the community in unique and tangible ways.”
GuideStar USA’s mission is to revolutionize philanthropy and nonprofit practice by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions and encourages charitable giving. GuideStar offers four Seals of Transparency – bronze, silver, gold and platinum – that are meant to build upon each other. To be considered for a Platinum Seal, a nonprofit must provide the organization’s mission, names of the leadership team and board members, program information, qualitative information about goals, strategies, vision statements and metrics that document successful progress in carrying out its mission.
In 2019, Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry served 65 families with affordable homeownership, providing a safe, secure and stable environment for 134 children. Currently, the nonprofit has seven neighborhoods in various development stages, including the 150-home Heritage Heights neighborhood in Fort Myers.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s work, please review the organization’s page at GuideStar.org or visit Habitat4Humanity.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties
Since 1982, 1,600 families in need of a hand up have partnered with Habitat Lee and Hendry to build or improve their home. Habitat homeowners, alongside volunteers, help build their own home and pay an affordable mortgage. Through volunteering, financial or material donations, everyone can help Lee and Hendry county families achieve strength, stability and independence. Through shelter, we empower. For more information, visit www.Habitat4Humanity.org.