Get Involved

Whether you are able to give a donation or volunteer your time. Your efforts can really make a difference to someone who is struggling to find or keep stable housing.

The opportunity to give back reflects the strong commitment and dedication of the Housing Industry Foundation's mission to help people overcome a housing crisis through personal grants and renovation projects. Join our HIF team. Get involved today.

Cash Donations

HIF's annual budget is approximately $677,000, including in-kind donations. All administrative costs are covered by donations by HIF board members, so that 100% of all additional funds are available for HIF programs. Your donation of any size would be most gratefully accepted.

Please send check to:
Housing Industry Foundation
538-A Valley Way
Milpitas, CA 95035

or use the Donate button to make a payment by credit card. Please contact us if you have any questions.

408.935.9201

Meta@HIFinfo.org

Event Sponsorship

Our annual September Summit will be held Wednesday, Septemebr 7, 2011!

You won't want to miss the largest multi-family housing industry networking event in the bay area. Please join us again this year at our annual dinner supporting the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF). The evening will begin with an informal networking at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm including a short program.

Sponsorship levels will range from the top event sponsor at $25,000 including a banner ad on our website to $1,500. All proceeds benefit HIF programs including emergency assistance for housing expenses and shelter renovation projects.

Sponsorship opportunities will be available later this month. Upon receipt of payment, your organization will automatically be added to the HIF website and included in all promotional collateral for the event including the CAA Tri-County magazine.

With a commitment of $3,500 or greater, your company will be invited to our exclusive invitation only appreciation party location to be determine, hosted by the HIF Board of Directors along with the Boards of CAA Tri-County and SILVAR.

For more information, contact our Development Director, Meta Ware.

408.935.9202

Meta@HIFinfo.org

VIP Program

A Special Way to Give

When people donate money to a charity, it is usually because they want to make a difference in the world by doing something good for somebody else. Sometimes, just writing a check does not provide a sense of personal connection to another person letting them know they really made a difference. HIF launched the Volunteer Investment Partnership program (VIP) in 2006 with 30 charter members who make a $1,000 annual commitment.

Each month, after the allotment for HIF’s emergency housing grants has been met, other families in need are turned away for lack of funds. Participants of the VIP program are called upon to fund the next grant application, saving one more family from homelessness. Along with a tax deductible receipt, the VIP partner receives a description of the critical situation a specific household faces and how their generous donation helps prevent homelessness.

If you would like to experience the gratification of knowing exactly how your money directly helps another individual or family, you may want to become one of our VIP partners.100% of your donation will go directly to support a family or individual in need. HIF does not use any of your money to cover administrative costs of the grant giving process.

In the non-profit world, we often talk about empowering our clients. Through the VIP program, we have empowered our donors. Not only do you know exactly how your funds are used, but also the fact a family or individual would not have received help were it not for your charitable gift.

408.935.9202

Meta@HIFinfo.org

Board Participation

While the board is not usually involved in the day-to-day activities of the organization, it is responsible for managing the organization and must make decisions crucial to the life and direction of the organization. In carrying out those responsibilities, members of a board of directors must fulfill certain duties to the organization and the public it serves. Those duties are commonly referred to as the duties of care, loyalty and obedience.

Duty of Care

Under the duty of care, a director must be familiar with the organization's finances and activities and participate regularly in its governance. In carrying out this duty, directors must act in "good faith" using the "degree of diligence, care, and skill" which prudent people would use in similar positions and under similar circumstances.

In exercising the duty of care, responsible board members should, among other things, do the following:

Attend board meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions and decision-making
Read the minutes of meetings and all reports, including financial reports. Also, read reports prepared by employees and outside professionals, and have a general knowledge of the information contained in those reports
Read any literature produced as part of the organization's programs
Make sure that the board spends some of its time on future and strategic planning
Insure the organization has proper internal controls and policies to safeguard, promote and protect the organization's funds and other assets
Engage in careful oversight of the organization's finances
Question any activity or transaction that is unclear or troubling
Encourage diversity among board members. Diversity will help insure a board committed to serve the organization's mission with a range of appropriate skills and interests
Be involved in the selection and compensation of the organization's Executive Director and other key employees responsible for its day-to-day activities. The board is responsible for such individuals having the appropriate education, skills, and experience to assume a key position
Be familiar with all issues addressed by the board. Ask for additional information if any issue is not clear

Duty of Loyalty

Directors must place the interest of the corporation above any private interests. This duty of loyalty requires that any conflict of interest, real or possible, be disclosed to the board. Board members must avoid transactions in which they or their family members benefit personally to the detriment of the organization.

In order to exercise the duty of loyalty, the board must be careful to examine all transactions that involve board members or members of their families. The board must not approve any transaction that serves a private interest at the expense of the interests of the corporation.

Duty of Obedience to the Corporation's Mission and with the Law A board has a duty of obedience to insure that the corporation fulfills its purposes, including:

Dedicating the organization's resources to its mission
Insuring that the corporation carries out its purposes and does not engage in unauthorized activities
That the organization complies with State and Federal Law

Other Specific Expectations

At a minimum, a board member must be prepared to actively serve on at least one committee or project in regular attendance. We encourage you to think about your own skills, interests, strengths, and experience so that you might bring to HIF your strengths and focus your efforts in areas or on Committees where you can have the most impact.

Board members should consider it their duty to potentially serve as an Officer as so nominated or as Committee Chair as necessary.

Each Member of HIF is highly encouraged to be regular Ambassadors of our organization including speaking to those in your network about who we are and what we do. Many rehab projects have come to us from individual Members’ outreach and many local families in a dire housing need have been identified directly by a Board Member. Many donors have begun supporting us, or increased their support of us, through individual Members’ quiet efforts.

Board members must pay annual dues, which shall be from time to time set, but as a minimum $2,500 per annum for a non-voting Associate Member position or $5,250 for a full board and voting Director position. We have at least 3 major events and 6 Board Meetings each year.

408.935.9202

Meta@HIFinfo.org

Volunteer

We need your help to grow awareness of HIF throughout the Bay area. Currently, we are looking for volunteers to write for our e-newsletter and social network sites. If you have expertise in this area, please contact Meta Ware, our Development Director today.

If your time is limited, but you want to share the successes of HIF, please join our facebook group, Housing Industry Foundation Silicon Valley. Please invite your friends to join too.

We hope to have a project work day later this summer. Please watch for upcoming details.

408.935.9202

Meta@HIFinfo.org

Make a Contribution Today	HOUSING INDUSTRY FOUNDATION Serving Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties Since 1989

	Home About Us Board of Directors Agency Partners Programs Emergency Grants Extending a Helping Hand Renovation Projects Transitional Housing Shared Senior Housing Short-term Family Housing Homeless Veterans Women in Recovery Safe Housing Disaster Response Hurricane Katrina Santana Row Fire Willow Glen Fire Events Donor Appreciation Event CAA Tri-County Golf Event September Summit SILVAR Events Get Involved Cash Donation Event Sponsorship VIP Program Board Participation Volunteer Communications What's New Annual Report Donate Contact Us
	Get Involved Whether you are able to give a donation or volunteer your time. Your efforts can really make a difference to someone who is struggling to find or keep stable housing. The opportunity to give back reflects the strong commitment and dedication of the Housing Industry Foundation's mission to help people overcome a housing crisis through personal grants and renovation projects. Join our HIF team. Get involved today. Cash Donations HIF's annual budget is approximately $677,000, including in-kind donations. All administrative costs are covered by donations by HIF board members, so that 100% of all additional funds are available for HIF programs. Your donation of any size would be most gratefully accepted. Please send check to: Housing Industry Foundation 538-A Valley Way Milpitas, CA 95035 or use the Donate button to make a payment by credit card. Please contact us if you have any questions. 408.935.9201 Meta@HIFinfo.org Event Sponsorship Our annual September Summit will be held Wednesday, Septemebr 7, 2011! You won't want to miss the largest multi-family housing industry networking event in the bay area. Please join us again this year at our annual dinner supporting the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF). The evening will begin with an informal networking at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 pm including a short program. Sponsorship levels will range from the top event sponsor at $25,000 including a banner ad on our website to $1,500. All proceeds benefit HIF programs including emergency assistance for housing expenses and shelter renovation projects. Sponsorship opportunities will be available later this month. Upon receipt of payment, your organization will automatically be added to the HIF website and included in all promotional collateral for the event including the CAA Tri-County magazine. With a commitment of $3,500 or greater, your company will be invited to our exclusive invitation only appreciation party location to be determine, hosted by the HIF Board of Directors along with the Boards of CAA Tri-County and SILVAR. For more information, contact our Development Director, Meta Ware. 408.935.9202 Meta@HIFinfo.org VIP Program A Special Way to Give When people donate money to a charity, it is usually because they want to make a difference in the world by doing something good for somebody else. Sometimes, just writing a check does not provide a sense of personal connection to another person letting them know they really made a difference. HIF launched the Volunteer Investment Partnership program (VIP) in 2006 with 30 charter members who make a $1,000 annual commitment. Each month, after the allotment for HIF’s emergency housing grants has been met, other families in need are turned away for lack of funds. Participants of the VIP program are called upon to fund the next grant application, saving one more family from homelessness. Along with a tax deductible receipt, the VIP partner receives a description of the critical situation a specific household faces and how their generous donation helps prevent homelessness. If you would like to experience the gratification of knowing exactly how your money directly helps another individual or family, you may want to become one of our VIP partners.100% of your donation will go directly to support a family or individual in need. HIF does not use any of your money to cover administrative costs of the grant giving process. In the non-profit world, we often talk about empowering our clients. Through the VIP program, we have empowered our donors. Not only do you know exactly how your funds are used, but also the fact a family or individual would not have received help were it not for your charitable gift. 408.935.9202 Meta@HIFinfo.org Board Participation While the board is not usually involved in the day-to-day activities of the organization, it is responsible for managing the organization and must make decisions crucial to the life and direction of the organization. In carrying out those responsibilities, members of a board of directors must fulfill certain duties to the organization and the public it serves. Those duties are commonly referred to as the duties of care, loyalty and obedience. Duty of Care Under the duty of care, a director must be familiar with the organization's finances and activities and participate regularly in its governance. In carrying out this duty, directors must act in "good faith" using the "degree of diligence, care, and skill" which prudent people would use in similar positions and under similar circumstances. In exercising the duty of care, responsible board members should, among other things, do the following: Attend board meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions and decision-making Read the minutes of meetings and all reports, including financial reports. Also, read reports prepared by employees and outside professionals, and have a general knowledge of the information contained in those reports Read any literature produced as part of the organization's programs Make sure that the board spends some of its time on future and strategic planning Insure the organization has proper internal controls and policies to safeguard, promote and protect the organization's funds and other assets Engage in careful oversight of the organization's finances Question any activity or transaction that is unclear or troubling Encourage diversity among board members. Diversity will help insure a board committed to serve the organization's mission with a range of appropriate skills and interests Be involved in the selection and compensation of the organization's Executive Director and other key employees responsible for its day-to-day activities. The board is responsible for such individuals having the appropriate education, skills, and experience to assume a key position Be familiar with all issues addressed by the board. Ask for additional information if any issue is not clear Duty of Loyalty Directors must place the interest of the corporation above any private interests. This duty of loyalty requires that any conflict of interest, real or possible, be disclosed to the board. Board members must avoid transactions in which they or their family members benefit personally to the detriment of the organization. In order to exercise the duty of loyalty, the board must be careful to examine all transactions that involve board members or members of their families. The board must not approve any transaction that serves a private interest at the expense of the interests of the corporation. Duty of Obedience to the Corporation's Mission and with the Law A board has a duty of obedience to insure that the corporation fulfills its purposes, including: Dedicating the organization's resources to its mission Insuring that the corporation carries out its purposes and does not engage in unauthorized activities That the organization complies with State and Federal Law Other Specific Expectations At a minimum, a board member must be prepared to actively serve on at least one committee or project in regular attendance. We encourage you to think about your own skills, interests, strengths, and experience so that you might bring to HIF your strengths and focus your efforts in areas or on Committees where you can have the most impact. Board members should consider it their duty to potentially serve as an Officer as so nominated or as Committee Chair as necessary. Each Member of HIF is highly encouraged to be regular Ambassadors of our organization including speaking to those in your network about who we are and what we do. Many rehab projects have come to us from individual Members’ outreach and many local families in a dire housing need have been identified directly by a Board Member. Many donors have begun supporting us, or increased their support of us, through individual Members’ quiet efforts. Board members must pay annual dues, which shall be from time to time set, but as a minimum $2,500 per annum for a non-voting Associate Member position or $5,250 for a full board and voting Director position. We have at least 3 major events and 6 Board Meetings each year. 408.935.9202 Meta@HIFinfo.org Volunteer We need your help to grow awareness of HIF throughout the Bay area. Currently, we are looking for volunteers to write for our e-newsletter and social network sites. If you have expertise in this area, please contact Meta Ware, our Development Director today. If your time is limited, but you want to share the successes of HIF, please join our facebook group, Housing Industry Foundation Silicon Valley. Please invite your friends to join too. We hope to have a project work day later this summer. Please watch for upcoming details. 408.935.9202 Meta@HIFinfo.org