Millard Fuller
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Millard Fuller is the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization known globally for building adequate housing for those in need. His leadership forged Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry building 200,000 homes with projects in 100 countries.
After a successful record of more than 28 years as founder and President, the Board of Directors decided in 2005 that it was time to part ways due to major differences, primarily about Habitat’s vision and operating philosophy. Mr. Fuller continues his mission to eliminate poverty housing around the world through a new organization, The Fuller Center for Housing.
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[edit] A Life Changed by God
From humble beginnings in Alabama, Millard Fuller rose to become a young, self-made millionaire. A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and the University of Alabama Law School at Tuscaloosa, Ala., he and a college friend began a marketing firm while still in school. Fuller's business expertise and entrepreneurial drive made him a millionaire at the age of 29. But as the business prospered, his health, integrity and marriage suffered.
These crises prompted Fuller to re-examine his values and direction. This soul-searching led to reconciliation with his wife and to a renewal of his Christian commitment.
The Fullers then took a drastic step, a "leap of faith," if you will: They sold all of their possessions, gave the money to the poor and began searching for a new focus for their lives. This search led them to Koinonia Farm, a Christian community located near Americus, Ga., where people were looking for practical ways to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ.
[edit] The Seed is Planted
With Koinonia founder Clarence Jordan and a few others, the Fullers initiated several partnership enterprises, including a ministry in housing. They built modest houses for their rural southwest Georgia neighbors on a no-profit, no-interest basis, thus making homes affordable to families with low incomes.
Homeowner families were expected to invest their own labor into the building of their home and the houses of other families. This participation reduced the cost of the house, increased the pride of ownership and fostered the development of positive relationships between neighbors. Money from mortgage payments went into a revolving fund, enabling the building of even more homes.
[edit] Testing the Model
In 1973, Fuller moved to Africa with his wife and four children to test their housing model. The housing project they began in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), was a success in that developing nation.
Fuller became convinced that this model could be expanded and applied all over the world. Upon his return to the United States in 1976, he met with a group of close associates. They decided to create a new independent organization: Habitat for Humanity. For the next 29 years, the Fullers devoted their energies to the expansion of Habitat for Humanity throughout the world.
[edit] Applying Jesus' Economics
The ministries the Fullers have founded have an economic philosophy based upon what Fuller calls the "economics of Jesus." The no-profit, no-interest components of the program come from a passage in the Bible (Exodus 22:24) that says those lending money to the poor should not act as a creditor and charge interest.
[edit] Public Recognitions
The recipient of numerous awards for his service and more than 50 honorary doctoral degrees, Millard Fuller remains focused on the need for simple, decent shelter for all people of the world. He uses his many opportunities to speak to people about, and shed more light on, the dilemma of poverty housing and to encourage them to become part of the solution. Fuller says "We have the know-how in the world to house everyone. We have the resources in the world to house everyone. All that's missing is the WILL to do it."
In September 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded Fuller the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Clinton says "Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of homeownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Millard Fuller has literally revolutionized the concept of philanthropy."
In October 2005, Millard and Linda Fuller were honored by former President George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Foundation with a bronze medallion embedded in The Extra Mile Volunteer Pathway in Washington, DC.
Former President Jimmy Carter, an avid carpenter and longtime Habitat supporter, says "Millard Fuller is an inspiration to all of us who have joined him as volunteers and his faith and perseverance have made continual progress possible."
Jack Kemp, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former Habitat for Humanity International Board Member says "When I'm asked about housing success stories from our inner cities, the first group that comes to mind is Habitat for Humanity."
[edit] Sharing the Story
Fuller has written nine books about his life's work. His most recent, Building Materials for Life, volumes 1 and 2, are collections of essays featuring devotions such as "Forgiveness," "Generosity" and "Peace Within." Other books, including More Than Houses tell inspiring stories of families from around the world whose lives have been changed through the gift of homeownership.
[edit] The Vision Continues
In January 2005, Millard and Linda Fuller were fired by the Habitat for Humanity International Board of Directors following months of disagreements over the future course of the organization. Rather than dwelling on the end of a career, Fuller immediately began planning for the next phase of his life's work. In April 2005, he and Linda and a group of like-minded partners founded The Fuller Center for Housing. This new organization is continuing the vision of eliminating poverty housing worldwide by motivating donors and volunteers to join in the quest to make decent shelter available to all of God's people. Collaborative efforts and innovative partnerships are being forged with individuals and organizations in hopes of realizing this goal.
[edit] Awards and Public Recognitions
- 2006 Servant's Heart Award, People Helping People Network; Named Honorary Secretary of State of Indiana, Todd Rokita, Indiana Secretary of State; State of Indiana Resolution in recognition of Servant's Heart Award, State Senator Brent Waltz
- 2005 The Extra Mile - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway dedicated in Washington, D.C. honoring Millard and Linda Fuller with a medallion along with 19 other founders of U.S. organizations and movements [1].
- 2004 The 2004 Builder Award, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
The World Methodist Peace Award by World Methodist Council
- 2003 The NonProfit Times Executive of the Year; T.B. Maston Christian Ethics Award
- 2002 The Neibuhr Medal, Elmhurst College
21st Century Leadership Award (co-recipient, Linda Fuller), Georgia Southwestern University Georgian of the Year Award, Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Overcoming Obstacles Achievement Award, Points of Light Commemorative Medallion (co-recipient, Linda Fuller), Auburn University Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2001 Magnolia Award for Excellence in Housing, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
World Spirit Service Award, The World Holy Spirit Movement of Seoul Korea Brooks Hayes Memorial Christian Citizenship Award, 2nd Baptist Church of Little Rock 1st Annual Housing Champion Award, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; 2001 Albert Schweitzer Award of Excellence, Chapman University Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award, Points of Light Foundation President's Cabinet Distinguished Achievement Award, University of Alabama Mark O. Hatfield Leadership Award (co-recipient, Linda Fuller), Council for Christian Colleges & Universities 100 Most Influential Georgians of the Year and Millennium, Georgia Trend magazine
- 2000 International Quality of Life Award, College of Human Sciences, Auburn University
2000 Frank Annunzio Award, Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award (co-recipient, Linda Fuller), National Conference for Community and Justice
- 1999 100 Most Influential People in Home Building in the United States, Builder magazine
Jefferson Award, American Institute for Public Service 20 Georgians Who Most Influenced the 20th Century, Atlanta Journal and Constitution newspaper
- 1998 Master Builder Award, Carpenters Company of Philadelphia
- 1997 Norman Vincent Peale Award; John W. Gardner Leadership Award
- 1996 Presidential Medal of Freedom
National Housing Hall of Fame, National Association of Home Builders Faithful Servant Award, National Association of Evangelicals Ballington and Maud Booth Founders Award, Volunteers of America
- 1995 Builder of the Year, Professional Builder magazine
- 1994 Harry S. Truman Public Service Award (co-recipient, Linda Fuller), City of Independence, Missouri
- 1992 Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award, Georgia State Holiday Commission
- 1990 Joseph C. Wilson Award, Rochester Association for the United Nations
Temple Award for Creative Altruism, Institute of Noetic Sciences
- 1989 Caring Award, Caring Institute Common Cause Public Service Achievement Award
International Humanity Service Award, American Overseas Association (American Red Cross)
- 1988 Millard and Linda Fuller were commended as Giraffe Heroes for "sticking their necks out", The Giraffe Heroes Project
Distinguished Christian Service in Social Welfare Award, North American Association of Christians in Social Work
- 1987 Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award, Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Action
- 1986 Clarence Jordan Exemplary Christian Service Award, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
[edit] Honorary Doctoral Degrees
2004 Pfeiffer University, NC; Florida Southern College, FL; Coe College, IA; Virginia Wesleyan College, VA; Maryville College, TN; University of Alabama, AL
2003 University of Portland , OR; Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN
2002 Wofford College, SC; San Francisco State University, CA; Colorado Christian University, CO; Defiance College, OH; Shorter College, GA
2001 Birmingham-Southern College, AL; Roberts Wesleyan College, NY; College of St. Rose, NY
2000 Hoseo University, Korea; Rhode Island College, RI; Morehouse College, GA; Willamette University, OR
1999 University of Alberta, Canada; Santa Clara University, CA; Sterling College, KS; Keene State College, NH; State University of West Georgia, GA
1998 St. Norbert College, WI; Northeastern University, MA; Dartmouth College, NH; Middlebury College, VT; California Lutheran University, CA; Alderson-Broaddus College, WV; Huntingdon College, AL
1997 Westminster College, MO
1996 Nova Southeastern University, FL
1995 Elon College, NC; Bluffton College, OH; Presbyterian College, SC
1994 University of North Alabama, AL; Providence College, RI; Dallas Baptist University, TX
1992 Lynchburg College, VA; Technical University of Nova Scotia, Canada; North Park College, IL
1990 Westminster College, PA; Wake Forest University, NC; Whitworth College, WA; Mercer University, GA
1989 Susquehanna University, PA; College of Wooster, OH
1988 DePauw University, IN
1987 Ottawa University, KS
1985 Eastern College, PA
[edit] Books Authored
Building Materials for Life, Volume II (Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 2004)
Building Materials for Life, Volume I (Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 2002)
More Than Houses (Word, Inc., 2000)
A Simple, Decent Place to Live (Word, Inc., 1995)
The Theology of the Hammer (Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 1994)
The Excitement Is Building (Word Publishing, co-authored by Linda Fuller, 1990)
No More Shacks! (Word Publishing, 1986)
Love in the Mortar Joints (New Century Publishers, Inc., 1980)
Bokotola (New Century Publishers, Inc., 1977)
