A donor can make any size donation but may only claim a maximum of $10,000 in tax credits in a given tax year. (Donations over $20,000 do not receive more than $10,000 in tax credits).
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, our programs, and how you can get involved.
How do I donate land or real estate for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
All land donations must be approved by the local Habitat affiliate as suitable for their use, prior to making the donation. In addition to approval, there must be a third-party appraisal performed to establish the value. Once this is completed, there will be title work performed at Barrister Title to ensure clear title. At that time, a corporate warranty deed will be prepared. No limited warranty deeds will be allowed. To process the tax credit, the donor will need to fill out a tax credit donor contribution form and attach a copy of the appraisal when sending it to Habitat for Humanity of Indiana. The first step in making a land/real estate donation is talking with your local Habitat affiliate.
Where do I claim the tax credit on my Indiana income tax return for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Schedule IN OCC (Other Certified Credits) on your state income tax return.
What number do I call if my tax preparer has questions about our tax credit claim for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Reach out to email taxcredit@habitatindiana.org or call 317-454-8090 and ask for Maggie Wimberly if you need any assistance with your tax credit claim.
How will I know that my local affiliate got my donation for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
In addition to an acknowledgement letter from HFHIN for the tax credits, your local affiliate will also send a thank you upon receipt of the gift.
When will I get my tax credit information for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
After the donation is made, HFHIN will send you an acknowledgement letter that will have all the pertinent information needed for your tax professional to fill out your Indiana income tax forms to properly claim your credits.
Why am I making the donation to Habitat for Humanity of Indiana (HFHIN) instead of my local affiliate for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
HFHIN is processing all of the tax credits at the request of the State of Indiana so there is only one point of contact to process tax credits and ensure privacy, proper accounting, and accurate interface with the Department of Revenue. Due to the volume of tax credits in this program, this will ease the administrative burden for affiliates. Simply send your form and donation in the pre-paid business reply envelope, and HFHIN will take care of the rest.
Can I carry forward any leftover tax credits for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program? What is the carry forward rules?
You may only carry forward tax credits if your tax liability is less than the tax credit amount in a given year. For example, if you have $10,000 in tax credits and you only have $8,000 in tax liability, then you may carry forward the diƯerence of $2,000 in tax credits for up to 5 years until you expend all of the credits. Credits are expended based on the year they were acquired; older tax credits must be used before new tax credits may be applied.
Can I donate every year and get a tax credit for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Yes, a maximum of $10,000 in tax credits can be awarded every year if your affiliate has credits available. Credits are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until they are expended or drawn down each year. The tax credit program is currently scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2030.
How do I make an in-kind donation for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
An in-kind gift must be approved and received by the local Habitat affiliate and in-kind donation form will need to be completed. The tax credit is for building new units of homeownership, so materials must be used in construction to meet that goal. To process the tax credit, send the tax credit donor contribution form and attach a copy of the in-kind donation form to send to Habitat for Humanity of Indiana.
What types of donations are accepted for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit program?
Cash, checks, credit cards, stocks, bonds, land/real estate, cryptocurrency, and larger in-kind gifts of building materials are eligible for the program.
What is the difference between a revocable trust and irrevocable trust?
A revocable trust can be changed at any time by the grantor during their lifetime, as long as they are competent. An irrevocable trust usually can’t be changed without a court order or the approval of all the trust’s beneficiaries. This makes an irrevocable trust less flexible.
How would my legacy gift be recognized?
All donors who make a planned gift become members of our Legacy Builders Society and are recognized in our annual community report. Donors can choose to be recognized anonymously for their gift. There are also additional opportunities for recognition based on donor’s intent and type of gift.
How do I arrange a gift from my retirement plan?
Simply contact your IRA or retirement plan administrator and request a copy of the Change of Beneficiary Form. Use the form to designate our organization to receive all or a portion or the remainder of your plan’s assets.
What are the benefits of a gift of retirement plan assets?
You escape the income and estate tax that will both be levied on the remaining balance of your retirement plan if you leave it to heirs. You can give us the most disadvantageously taxed asset in your estate and leave more favorably taxed property to your heirs. You can continue to take withdrawals from your plan during your lifetime. You can change the beneficiary if your or your family’s circumstances change.
How do I name Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity in my will?
To name Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity as a beneficiary in your estate plans, you can include the following language:
“I give to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis, DBA Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 3135 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, or its successor thereto, [written amount/percentage and description] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose. Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity EIN is 35-1715910.”
To make a specific bequest, please contact us for more details and language.
How does Greater Indy Habitat benefit from a planned gift?
Your gift can make a transformative impact on Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity and creating more affordable housing solutions in our community now and in the future. We can assist you with the designation and provide suggested language for your will to ensure your gift is used how you intend.
Can I claim other tax credits like NAP, in addition to the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit on my taxes?
Yes, you may be able to use multiple tax credits, but you should consult with your tax professional to be sure you understand the limits on any other tax credit program you are participating in. Donors are only allowed a maximum of $10,000 per tax year for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit.
Did former U.S. President Jimmy Carter found Habitat for Humanity?
The late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda started Habitat in 1976 in Americus, GA. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization’s home-building work. Each year they lead the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project to help build homes and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.
Does a Habitat home in a neighborhood reduce property values?
Housing studies show affordable housing has no adverse effect on neighborhood property values. In fact, the recent social impact study done on the Habitat homeownership program shows that a home increases the property value of surrounding homes.
How many families does Habitat serve in Greater Indy?
Since 1987, Greater Indy Habitat has helped more than 1,700 families globally, more than 1,100 in Greater Indianapolis, and more than 600 internationally.
Do you have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner?
Habitat homeowners are chosen without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income or other characteristics in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat’s abiding belief that God’s love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
Do only ethnic minorities receive Habitat for Humanity homes?
Habitat builds homes in partnership with those in need regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income or other characteristics protected by law. The prospective homeowners must meet three criteria: need, ability to repay the mortgage and a willingness to partner with Habitat.
What is the Habitat ReStore?
The ReStore is a home improvement thrift store that sells donated new and gently used items to the public at a significant discount. The proceeds benefit the Habitat mission and keep good, usable home materials out of the landfill. Greater Indy Habitat operates four ReStore locations in Greenfield, West Washington, Fishers, and Avon and can pick up your donation. Learn more at indyrestore.com.
Where does Greater Indy Habitat serve?
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity serves Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton, Shelby, and Hancock Counties with homeownership and volunteer opportunities. The affiliate also operates Habitat ReStores in Greenfield, West Washington, Fishers, and Avon.
Does Habitat for Humanity give homes away?
No, Habitat homeowners have an affordable mortgage, pay modest closing costs and complete 200 hours of “sweat equity,” including homeownership classes through Habitat University, construction on their home and the houses of other future Habitat homeowners. Families and individuals must meet three criteria to qualify for the program: need, affordability, and willingness to partner.
How do my family and other loved one’s benefit from a planned gift?
A planned gift can create potential savings on capital gains taxes or estate taxes, lessening the financial burden on your family and loved ones. For instance, a planned gift can reduce your estate tax liability. The assets that you transfer to Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity remain outside of your taxable estate.
If I made a gift earlier in the year and did not know about the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program tax credit, may I still get one?
Yes, but it will require the affiliate writing you a check back for the donation and you reissuing one to Habitat for Humanity of Indiana, as they are the only Habitat agency that can process a tax credit.
When does this Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program start?
The tax credits are in the Indiana state budget beginning on July 1, 2024; however, any qualified donation made after January 1, 2024, may be eligible.
What does Habitat for Humanity of Indiana do with my data and contact information?
The data concerning your contribution and tax credit will be shared with the Indiana Department of Revenue to process your tax credit. Your data will also be shared with your local Habitat affiliate so they can send a thank you. HFHIN does not share or sell donor data to any external agency.
How do I make a gift of stock for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Speak with your local affiliate about the donation you would like to make or contact taxcredit@habitatindiana.org to be connected to our broker. Our policy states that stock is sold on the day it is received, and the valuation is based on that sale amount.
What kinds of donor advised funds (DAFs) are eligible for a tax credit for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Contact your tax professional if you are seeking a credit from a donation from a donor advised fund. The Indiana Department of Revenue has specific rules related to DAFs.
Can I donate labor for a tax credit for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
The Indiana Department of Revenue does not allow in-kind gifts of labor for any of its programs including the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit.
Where do I claim the tax credit on my Indiana income tax return for the Attainable Homeownership Tax Credit Program?
Schedule IN OCC (Other Certified Credits) on your state income tax form.
I would like to do a ReStore donation from my business or workplace. Is that possible?
Absolutely! If you are looking to make a very large or recurring donation, contact the Associate Director of ReStore Development here to get the conversation started. If you are looking to make a one-time donation that could likely fit in one box truck, you can request a pick-up here.
What paperwork do I need to donate my car in Indiana?
Indiana will require a Certificate of Title in order to donate your car.
To complete your car donation, transfer your title by entering the name of the agency that processes our car donations, ADVANCED REMARKETING SERVICES in the buyer/purchaser field. Then, PRINT and SIGN your name in the seller/owner field EXACTLY as it appears at the top of the title.
How do I donate my car in Indianapolis, IN?
You can donate your car in 3 easy steps:
Start your donation online by navigating to our donation wizard, or call our hotline: 1-877-277-4344
Our team will ask about your vehicle, including the make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN) and current mileage.
When your vehicle is accepted, schedule a day and time for us to pick it up.
Why should I donate my car to Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity?
All net proceeds from the sale of your vehicle will support Habitat for Humanity and help local families here in our communities.
Your vehicle donation may qualify for a tax deduction.
It’s fast and easy. Learn more about how vehicle donations work.
I called the ReStore donation line and had to leave a voicemail. How ling until someone returns my message?
Due to high call volumes & the blessing of having many wonderful donors who want to support Habitat, we are not always able to answer the donation lines live as calls come through. However, we do our absolute best to return all donation inquiries as quickly as we possibly can. We highly recommend using our online forum to request a donation pick up because it gives us the additional opportunity to contact you via email to coordinate a time to discuss your donation. If you leave a message on our donation line, please let us know what days and times work best for you to discuss your donation with us. We are abundantly grateful for your patience and understanding.
With questions not addressed here, please call our donation lines.
Do you provide proof of donation or some kind of receipt after I donate to ReStore?
Yes, we do! Our donation receipts will list your name, the date you donated, and the items you gave to us. If you have already had a donation pick-up and need to obtain a donation receipt for that pick-up, please contact the donation line of the store who conducted your pick-up, and we will ensure that you receive one.
When I schedule a ReStore pick up, will you give me a range of time when your truck could arrive on a certain day (ex. 8am – 4pm) or a specific time?
We schedule every pick up for a specific time (ex. 10:45am, 2:30pm) and try our best to arrive within fifteen minutes of the scheduled time. If we will be more than 15 minutes early or late to your scheduled time, we will contact you to give an update on where we are and what’s going on.
What days of the week/times of day do you pick up ReStore donations?
Typically, we run our donation pick-up routes on Mondays-Saturdays from around 10am-4pm, though this can vary between stores based on staffing, capacity, and truck availability.
How soon can you schedule ReStore donation pick ups?
Our donation pick up schedule’s lead time varies greatly through the year due to multiple factors like seasonality, staffing, and capacity in the stores. Each of our four stores has their own donation pickup schedule, so lead times may vary between stores.
A good rule of thumb is this; if you are interested in scheduling a donation pick-up, we recommend contacting the ReStore around two weeks in advance to the date you would like the pick-up to take place. This isn’t because our schedules are always that far out—many times, they aren’t—but rather because we would love to get you scheduled for the precise date and time you prefer or something pretty darn close to it, and that’s easiest for us to accomplish when the schedules have the most availability.
If your deadline is tighter than that, please still give us a call! The schedules change daily due to reschedules, cancellations, etc. and it’s entirely possible we could have something available that would work for you.
What types of vehicles can I donate to Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity accepts all kinds of vehicles including cars, trucks, SUV’s, RV’s, motorcycles, boats, planes, snowmobiles, farm equipment and more. If you have any questions, feel free to call our team at 877-277-4344.
What kind of donations can the ReStore accept?
ReStore Donations
If your donation isn’t on our checklist, don’t worry – we’re open to considering a variety of items. Each donation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If your item is in good condition and could be reused by someone else, please give us a call and tell us about it. Our donation coordinators are trained to determine if it fits our mission or if we need to refer you to another organization.
Check our donation list for general guidelines.
Do you accept ReStore drop off donations?
Yes! Our ReStores are open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, and we accept drop-off donations during all of our open hours. You do not need to call ahead or make an appointment to donate your items if you’re able to drop them off, but if you are coming with a large truck full of items or with donations that need to be unloaded with a forklift, it’s a good idea to give that ReStore a heads up so they have the appropriate equipment and personnel prepared.
Here are the front desk numbers for each of our ReStores if you find yourself with a large donation to drop off:
West Washington: 317.969.8790
Avon: 317.707.7529
Fishers: 317.896.0314
Greenfield: 317.318.9380
If you want to drop off a donation but you aren’t sure if it’s the right fit for our mission, you are more than welcome to call the donation lines with any questions you have and one of our donation coordinators would be happy to discuss.
We ask that all items be in good condition/full working order, and we reserve the right to refuse donations at any point in our process due to condition or potential disposal costs.
Do you pick up ReStore donations?
Yes, we absolutely do! We operate a donation pick-up service at no cost to you. Call the donation line at your desired location or fill out this form here to get in touch with a donation coordinator who can help you get a donation pick-up scheduled. Here are the donation lines for each of our four ReStore locations:
West Washington: 317.969.8791
Avon: 317.707.7530
Fishers: 317.896.9423
Greenfield: 317.318.9458
Our screening process consists of questions about the condition of the donations, their approximate size (for truck space & planning purposes), the location of the donations, and other questions to ensure your donation pick-up goes as smoothly as possible.
We ask that all items be in good condition/full working order, and we reserve the right to refuse donations at any point in our process (including on-site) due to condition or potential disposal costs.
Are there other Women Builds?
Women crews have already built more than 2,300 Habitat for Humanity houses within the United States, and in dozens of other countries. Women Build projects provide an environment in which women can feel comfortable learning skills they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn. Learn more at habitat.org.
When will Women Build take place?
The construction of the Women Build home will start in late April and the home will be completed and dedicated in July. The peer-to-peer fundraising campaign has launched and continues to build momentum as the start date approaches.
Who can get involved in Women Build?
Anyone is invited to get involved as a donor and advocate! Leadership for the project and construction of the home will be completed by women volunteers and builders. To discover how you can support Women Build, contact us at 317.777.6085 or womenbuild@indyhabitat.org.
How will Women Build work?
Women from all walks of life will work together to fund and build a Habitat home for a Greater Indianapolis family in need. Women volunteers will raise the funds and raise the walls for the entire Women Build project. Habitat for Humanity will rely on hundreds of volunteers to construct the home and recruit friends and family to support their work through a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.
What do I need to volunteer?
To be best prepared for your volunteer day, take a couple minutes to watch our volunteer build site video!
Training, materials and safety equipment are all provided. We will have water, snacks and pizza lunch on site for volunteers! Please dress for the weather and in clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We also recommend wearing rain boots because build sites can be muddy!
How do I benefit from a planned gift?
A planned gift enables you to create a legacy by supporting a charity for years to come.
What are the benefits of a charitable bequest?
You can make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime and keeps your assets under your control. You can change your bequest at any time if your circumstances change. Your bequest creates a legacy that will have an impact far into the future.
What is the difference between a bequest and a beneficiary designation?
A bequest is a gift that you make through a will or a revocable trust functioning as a will. A beneficiary designation is a gift you make by way of a contract. Life insurance policies, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement plans are examples of assets that pass by contractual beneficiary designations. If you don’t name a beneficiary for one of these contracts, or if the beneficiary designation is to someone who has predeceased you or from whom you have since been divorced, then the assets will go to your probate estate and pass by bequest. Probate can sometimes add costs and delay to estate administration.
How can I make a planned gift to Greater Indy Habitat?
The most common way of making a planned gift is by designating Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity as a beneficiary in your will. There are several other options to create a legacy for Habitat. More gift options can be found here or contact us to set up a meeting to discuss the various options. Your attorney or financial planner may have suggestions that are best suited to your unique needs.
How can I volunteer at the ReStore?
All volunteers must be at least 16 years old to participate. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent or guardian present during their volunteer shift. If you are interested in volunteering in one of our ReStores, or need to complete community service hours, please email our ReStore Staffing & Volunteer Coordinator at slewis@indyhabitat.org.
Do you have any builds I could volunteer at on [insert specific date here]?
We post all of our available opportunities on our volunteer website here: https://indyhabitat.volunteerhub.com. Our site updates in real time, so if you do not see an open date initially, make sure you check back often.
My work/church/other organization wants to volunteer. How do we get involved?
Please fill out the group form and you can expect to hear from a member of our team after submitting. They can talk through how your organization and Habitat can form a partnership and connect you to the best volunteer opportunity for your group.
Is there an age limit to volunteer?
Yes! All of our volunteers must be at least 16 years old per our insurance requirements. Those under 16 can’t go above 6 feet on a ladder or operate any power tools. Some projects require all volunteers to be 18 or older due to the type of work being done and will be noted in the project description.
Why is Women Build important?
Women Build puts the tools into women’s hands to fight poverty housing. Women make up 50 percent of Habitat for Humanity International’s volunteer force; yet often because of lack of training, they account for less than 15 percent of workers on the construction site. The Women Build program was established by Habitat to encourage the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes.
I have never volunteered before; how do I get started?
Please take a few moments to learn about the various ways you can get involved with our mission by visiting our website.
We post all of our available ReStore and build site opportunities on our volunteer website here: https://indyhabitat.volunteerhub.com. You will need to create an account in order to sign up for any of our opportunities and we highly recommend checking “yes” to the email opt-in for monthly volunteer updates.
Where can I read about the experience from past Global Village travelers?
Read more about the experience from travelers Tim and Jess Cummings during the 2019 trip.
Read about Joel’s experience while working alongside Osmil and his family IN 2017.
What can travelers expect during the Global Village program?
During the eight-day experience, volunteers will work alongside masons and partner families to help build homes, learn from settlement residents about their housing experience since the 2001 earthquakes, and make an impact on a family and a community.
Click here to view a sample itinerary.
Why El Salvador and Kenya for Global Village?
Our affiliate has raised more than $2 million since 1988 to fund building projects in Central America, serving 400+ families. We expanded this tithe partnership to include Global Village trips to El Salvador beginning in November 2013 and now Kenya as well. Learn more about their local efforts.
When did Greater Indy become a tithing partner?
Our tithe program supports carefully chosen building and shelter projects and in 2022, we were happy to welcome our partnership with Kenya. Since 2013, Greater Indy Habitat has hosted six trips to our sister affiliate in El Salvador. Our groups have visited Usulután and San Vincente, El Salvador.
How much of a tax write-off do I get for donating my car?
When your vehicle is sold, that will determine the value. If your vehicle sells for more than $500, you may be eligible to deduct the full selling price. If your vehicle sells for $500 or less, you can deduct the “fair market value” of your vehicle, up to $500. We recommend that you talk to your tax advisor to determine your personal tax deduction situation.
Can I donate a vehicle that does not run?
Absolutely! Your vehicle does not need to be running in order to donate it. But it does need to have all tires inflated.