What is Thrivent Builds Worldwide?
What type of trips does Thrivent Builds Worldwide offer?
Who can participate in Thrivent Builds Worldwide?
How long do Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips last, and how much do they cost?
How are the locations for Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips selected?
How do I pay for a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip?
What other financial support does Thrivent Financial offer?
Is there an age limit for participants?
Do I need homebuilding experience or the ability to speak another language?
What is Thrivent Builds Worldwide?
Thrivent Builds Worldwide is one program of Thrivent Builds—a $125 million alliance that brings members of Thrivent Financial together with Lutheran congregations, other volunteers, Habitat affiliates and host communities to build simple, decent, affordable homes with families in need.
This is a chance to take your membership to a whole new level. United in membership and the values we share, we can give more families a chance at economic independence.
What type of trips does Thrivent Builds Worldwide
offer?
Thrivent Builds Worldwide offers trips for groups of Lutherans and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members. These trips are organized by communities, congregations, Lutheran organizations and Thrivent chapters. Thrivent Financial members and nonmembers may participate; however, at least 50 percent of participants must be Thrivent Financial members for the trip to qualify as a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip.
Who can participate in Thrivent Builds Worldwide?
Thrivent Financial members receive preference for trip participation, as do other Lutherans. Others also may participate as a companion of a Thrivent Financial member or friend as part of a group.
How long do Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips last,
and how much do they cost?
Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips last one to three weeks. The cost depends on where you travel and how long you stay. Most trips average $100 a day and include room and board, in-country transportation, traveler's medical insurance and a donation to the host community’s building program. Airfare is additional, as is cancellation protection and baggage insurance.
How are the locations for Thrivent Builds Worldwide
trips selected?
Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip destinations focus on areas where help is needed and where Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can significantly impact building capacity for a Habitat for Humanity host affiliate. In 2008, there are four focus areas for Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips:
- Hurricane-ravaged Mississippi Gulf Coast
- Central America
- Africa
- India
How do I pay for a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip?
You can pay for expenses, or you or your group can organize fund-raising events, such as bake sales, car washes, walks and bike rides. In addition, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will waive the required Habitat for Humanity host affiliate donation* for each Thrivent Financial for Lutherans benefit member** age 16 or older helping to lower overall Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip costs. Individuals who are not benefit members but who are age 16 or older and have a Thrivent Mutual Fund account or an insurance or annuity contract issued by Thrivent Life Insurance Company will also be eligible to receive a similar benefit offered by Thrivent Asset Management, LLC*** or Thrivent Life Insurance Company****, regardless of their membership status.
If you are unsure of your eligiblity, you can verify
your status, or learn more about becoming
a Thrivent Financial member.
* For Gulf Coast Experience trips, the required host affiliate donation is lowered by $100 for members rather than waived.
** "Benefit members" generally are those who have been admitted into membership and own Thrivent Financial for Lutherans insurance or annuity products.
*** Thrivent Asset Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser that provides investment management services to the Thrivent Mutual Funds.
**** Thrivent Life Insurance Company is a life insurance company domiciled in Minnesota that issued variable life insurance and variable annuities to members prior to the time that state law authorized fraternal benefit societies to offer these products.
What other financial support does Thrivent Financial
offer?
Thrivent Financial will donate $10,000 to the Habitat for Humanity host affiliate for a future homebuilding project in the same country in which a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip takes place.* The funds will help Habitat for Humanity affiliates build additional homes in their communities. To be eligible for this per-team host affiliate donation, at least 50 percent of trip participants must be Thrivent Financial members.
Thrivent Financial will pay half the team leader training registration fee for Thrivent Financial members. Costs typically range from $75 to $200 per person and do not include transportation or accommodations.
* Because Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is making a $2.5 million donation to help Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast build a community of up to 40 homes on behalf of its members, there is not a per-team donation to that host affiliate. The per-person host affiliate donation is not waived for Gulf Coast trips, but is reduced by $100 for Thrivent Financial members.
Is there an age limit for participants?
Participants under age 18 may only participate if their participation
has been approved by the team leader and host affiliate, and if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Special
arrangements may be required for those under the age of 16, as they
may not be allowed to participate in build activities. Thrivent
Builds Worldwide will not sponsor any youth-group teams.
Do I need homebuilding experience or the ability
to speak another language?
No, you don't need homebuilding experience or the ability to speak another
language. You’ll be taught the skills you need and, if necessary, interpreters
will be provided. If you are traveling outside the United States, you’ll
need a passport; some trips also may require a visa.
