The Volunteer Dating Game

Hi everyone, Jeff Rutt here. It takes a lot to make a nonprofit successful. It often starts with having the right mission and vision as well as a clear plan for how you will accomplish your goals.  Once you have a set plan in mind, it takes a lot of resources to make your goals a reality. Time, money, and talented people who are passionate about your cause are essential components to a well run nonprofit. The article below featured in Sustainable Business Forum discusses how valuable committed passionate volunteers can be to non profits. Specifically, the article talks about Gap Inc and their new program which encourages employees to find causes where they can best use their skills and passions to make a difference. Through their volunteer program, Gap Inc is leading the way in corporate social responsibility by being a model for smart volunteering. At HOPE we have seen firsthand the benefits that come from corporate social responsibility that makes sense, through our Homes for Hope program. Through Homes for Hope we have had the privilege of partnering with talented builders from around the country to make a difference in peoples lives around the world.  Homes for Hope takes the skills and passions of home builders and applies them in practical ways to further HOPE’s mission. If you’re not familiar with our Homes for Hope program, check it out by visiting our website http://www.homes4hope.org/ and consider ways that you can use your skills and passion to help a cause near you!

Many blessings, Jeff Rutt

The Volunteer Dating Game

In the world of those who volunteer to make a better world, some dream of settling down.  But not you.  Nosiree. You enjoy the variety of volunteering with many different organizations and causes.  Last month it was a cancer nonprofit, today it’s a dog rescue. You heard that a literacy organization is having an awesome fundraiser next month so that’s the next cause on tap, and maybe after that you’ll try on a sustainability charity for size - recycling could be cool.

Sure, your nonprofit relationships don’t seem to be progressing, but that’s fine. Volunteering with a wide range of causes is fun and keeps things interesting.

I mean, yeah, it would be nice to get a little deep sometimes, focus on one charity that gets to know the real you, y’know?  Where you could go beyond the basics, contribute your full self, maybe even graduate to something more long-term.  Make a difference, grow a little, find that one nonprofit that you’ll keep coming home to.

But for whatever reason, you haven’t taken the plunge, so volunteer mingling will have to suffice.

A Healthier Relationship

It doesn’t have to be this way.  Imagine a world where the energy, passion and skills of volunteers aligned perfectly with the needs and capacity of nonprofits. Where expectations were calibrated and trust was built over time.

That’s the world that Gap Inc. is working to create with its global teams of employee volunteers. Reflecting feedback from the community that some volunteer projects were fun for the volunteers, but not as valuable to the nonprofits as they could have been, Gap Inc. realized that if it was going to facilitate meaningful relationships between its employees and causes, it needed to get everyone “dating” with an eye towards long-term relationships between employee teams and nonprofit organizations. Gap Inc. thinks of this as the “date, then get married” approach to volunteering.

“We started our volunteer program around a more traditional skills-based framework,” noted Gail Gershon, Gap’s Executive Director of Community Leadership. “We’d ask our nonprofit partners what they needed and then try to match them with employee volunteers who had relevant skills. But this approach wasn’t sustainable.  What we heard from nonprofits and employees was that the more effective way to move toward skills-based volunteering would be for teams to develop long-term partnerships with nonprofits, to get to know their needs and help the nonprofit better understand the skills that the team of employees represented. Then, the skills could be applied to the volunteering more naturally and build over time, and the volunteers could work to fulfill a variety of needs faced by their nonprofit partner.” 

Further, Gail added, Gap Inc. wants to make sure that volunteer activity is valuable to the nonprofit, not just a pleasant diversion for the volunteer. “Sometimes volunteering is designed to be the best possible experience for the volunteer but not what is most critical to the nonprofit.”

Thus was shaped a worldview that smartly applies dating philosophies to volunteer programs. 

Toward this end, Gap Inc. encourages every team (which could be a store or an office location) to elect a person who will be their Community Leader.  That one person is then charged with finding an appropriate nonprofit partner that the entire team will support, ideally over an extended period of time so that the quality of the volunteering is most meaningful for both the volunteer and nonprofit.  And just like your mama told you, Gap Inc. teams are discouraged from marrying after their first date.  Instead, they’re encouraged to ask themselves: is this a fit? When should we go steady? When should we move in together? How can we really get to know each other before making that final commitment?

“The nonprofit needs to invest in the volunteers and train them. That requires precious time and resources from the nonprofit’s staff.  So if the nonprofit doesn’t know if you’re coming back, why should they waste their time?” said Gail. “We encourage our teams to get to a place where there’s mutual trust.”  When the trust and fit is there, that’s when employees can effectively leverage their skills, which can potentially make a longer term impact over time.

Wave of CSR's Future

Gap Inc. has plenty of company in their belief that skills-based volunteering is the wave of the corporate social responsibility future.  That’s why they’re one of more than 100 pledge companies for A Billion + Change, a national campaign to make skills-based volunteering the new normal in every workplace, which has already elicited a promise of more than $1.7 billion and at least 11.5 million hours of time and talent dedicated to building nonprofit capacity. Gap Inc. shared their wisdom about encouraging skills-based volunteering at this week’s Corporate Philanthropy Summit, a forum for best practices around corporate giving which A Billion + Change has helped organize.

For energized corporate volunteers and future changemakers, finding a nonprofit that best meets your passion is an outcome that translates into satisfaction and impact.  Who knows – Gap Inc. may even have some advice on the right wedding togs to wear when you and your nonprofit are ready to make things official.

Thanks again for reading, stay tuned for more articles and comments-Jeff Rutt

Posted on http://sustainablebusinessforum.com/causecast/58406/volunteer-dating-game

Oh, The Humanities!: Does a donation really count if no one sees you giving?

Hello this is Jeff Rutt, I recently came across this article published by a Canadian newspaper about a recent academic humanities conference. At the conference one of the most popular papers that was presented centered around the topic of charitable giving. According to the paper, charitable giving has become a trendy thing to do primarily in North American culture. Giving has become trendy not necessarily because people are passionate about the cause they are giving to, but because they want to appear as a certain kind of person to their friends. Many celebrities like Angelina Jolie have made it cool to give your time and money towards a cause. Many people can identify with that wanting to feel like they are someone who is a part of something bigger, or who cares about a cause. As the founder of an organization that relies heavily on charitable giving, I’m excited about the push in our culture for people to give back. However, I know that it takes more than a passing trend to create real change in the lives of those less fortunate. Making real and lasting change involves a commitment on the part of the giver and a passion to see a project through to the end. Although giving is almost always appreciated, the Bible states that the best giving is that done with a right heart and attitude. In Mark 12 Jesus tells his disciples that a woman who had given just a small gift had given the best gift because she gave out of a pure heart and gave all that she could. At HOPE we appreciate any donation that is given to us, but we it is our desire that those who give do so not because its trendy but out of a pure heart to serve others and make true and lasting change for the Kingdom.

(The following text is excerpted from: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/28/oh-the-humanities-does-a-donation-really-count-if-no-one-sees-you-giving/)

Oh, The Humanities!: Does a donation really count if no one sees you giving?

Donating money to charity has become highly fashionable, a status symbol that has been dubbed “conspicious giving,” and comes with the burden of social expectation and manipulation, according to a paper to be presented at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences conference on Wednesday.

University of Alberta instructor Margrit Talpalaru coined the “conspicious giving” term to describe the way corporations, charities and society at large have latched onto North Americans’ desire for the visibility that comes with donating time or money.

“In the rampantly consumerist Western society of the 21st century, conspicuous giving has become the true status marker,” writes Ms. Talpalaru, a English and film studies instructor. “Charitable donors, especially famous ones, have become modern-day heroes, while ordinary people are being judged by their giving.”

North Americans find role models in celebrities like Angelina Jolie, who has served as a United Nations special envoy for refugees and last week released a line of jewellery that will benefit children in Africa.

Canadian do-gooders Marc and Craig Kielburger’s social enterprise Me to We uses corporate strategies to boost their cause of improving life for children all over the world (you can buy a Pamoja Unity Bracelet on their website for only $49.99).

Ms. Talpalaru said 1985’s Live Aid concert for Ethiopia was a precursor. The expertly marketed Run for the Cure campaign for breast cancer research, with its ubiquitous pink ribbon, is another.

Corporate interest flooded in after billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates made The Giving Pledge in 2010, breathing life into the idea of “philanthrocapitalism.”

“You can see how celebrity culture, celebrity activism trickles down and puts these pressures on everyday people like you and I donating more time or money and to win stuff for charity,” she said. “The competition that is so prized by capitalism now has to be tinged with the moral value of giving to charity. It’s no longer good enough that you’re good at something, you’ve won something, you have to give at least part of it to charity.”

The new Global TV reality show Canada Sings gets workplace colleagues to form a glee club and compete on live television. Their winnings go to charity — an act that was once the sole domain of celebrities when they played TV game shows like Jeopardy or The Price is Right.

She’s also concerned corporate sponsors could take full control of charity fundraisers and research projects, with their money-making interests potentially overshadowing the social good. And she suggests that if individuals are more interested in funding good causes, the government may choose to do less of it.

She cautions the meteoric rise of doing good has also come with the burden of social expectation — if everyone else is taking donations for charity in lieu of gifts, why aren’t you? While this focus on giving is inherently good, Ms. Talpalaru is urging more thought and debate about the phenomena.

“The only pitfall is to follow blindly.”


Thanks again for reading, stay tuned for more articles and comments- Jeff Rutt

Jeff Rutt: Improving energy efficiency at home through technology

Jeff Rutt, founder and CEO of Keystone Custom Homes, understands that homeowners just want to enjoy the full value of their homes. They want to amplify the living experience in their houses while still feeling safe and comfortable. According to expert builders and remodelers, property owners can do so by making their homes energy efficient. With effective energy management systems installed in houses, homeowners can save money that they can use for other important living expenses.

Jeff Rutt Photo Credit: Jeff Rutt

With this said, the following are the home technologies that can make houses energy efficient:

• Preset lighting settings. Lighting can easily make up 10 to 20 percent of the total electrical usage of a home. For this reason, Jeff Rutt and other home building experts recommend the use of automated lighting systems. With a preset dimmer, which adjusts lightings to the homeowner’s needs based on the time of the day, electricity bills can be lowered. Using this kind of technology can also increase the life expectancy of light bulbs.

Jeff Rutt Photo Credit: Jeff Rutt

• Automated HVAC systems. With automated systems to manage heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls, a home can maintain a more energy-efficient temperature when the owners are not inside the house. Likewise, when the occupants are back, the HVAC settings can automatically revert to a more comfortable temperature. These systems can also be programmed to heat or cool only the areas most used by the occupants. By utilizing this technology, energy consumption can be lessened while still putting comfort as top priority.

Jeff Rutt Photo Credit: wn.com

By carefully studying these home technologies and incorporating them in their properties, homeowners will finally be able to understand the real value of their “home sweet home.”  

For more information about Jeff Rutt and Keystone Custom Homes, visit www.keystonecustomhome.com.

Jeff Rutt: Knowing when to buy or rent a home

Jeff Rutt Photo credit: revnyou.wordpress.com

Home builders like Jeff Rutt believe that a house is one of the most valuable investments a person can have. For most people, home ownership is a great achievement especially for the younger generations. However, financial experts agree that home ownership isn’t for everyone and that renting a home can sometimes be a more practical option.

For people to avoid the mistake of spending all of their savings on an impractical investment, they must first examine their lifestyle and needs to determine whether they should buy or rent a home.

Jeff Rutt Photo credit: eburcat.com

The New York Times has provided a buy-rent calculator for those who want to know which option would be less costly. For Jeff Rutt, buying a home is more practical especially if the homeowners are planning to stay in their home for the long term. As stated in The NY Times, homeowners can save over $1,700 each year when they choose to buy a house that they will live in for at least six years.

However, according to financial expert Suze Orman, buying a house comes with additional expenses such as property tax and homeowners insurance which, if added up, may be more costly than a month’s rent. Also, a new house requires new or additional furniture and appliances. If a person isn’t ready for these additional expenses, then renting may be the better option.

From Jeff Rutt

Aside from the additional expenses, people should look into their credit score before deciding whether to buy or rent a home. Financial experts agree that a high credit score can reduce the interest rate which is part of the mortgage.

By considering these things, people can be guided on when to invest in a home.
More information on Jeff Rutt and Keystone Custom Homes is available at www.keystonecustomhome.com.

Jeff Rutt: The components of home sweet home

What makes a Keystone Custom Home unique?



Home builder and former dairy farmer Jeff Rutt builds upon the principle of customer satisfaction; his company is dedicated to providing customers with options that help construct a home tailored to their specific needs and wants. This key difference is what helped Keystone Custom Homes become among the most recognized builders in the United States.

Jeff Rutt photo credit: hutchcustomehomes.com

Apart from featuring the many customization options that make every Keystone Custom Home unique, the company’s homes are built with certain specifications that aid in creating a sturdier and more aesthetically pleasing home for its inhabitants. Key structural features include triple-hinged doors, a foundation drainage system to prevent water from entering the basement, and corner frame and jack studs to help strengthen the walls around wall corners and doors respectively.

Jeff Rutt photo credit: azhomeinfosource.com

Jeff Rutt is a firm believer in value for the customer. His company offers many customizing options—over 1,500—to help future homeowners decide on the dimensions and appearance that their new home would take.


The homes are fully insulated affairs and have a warranty of up to 20 years and are found in housing developments throughout Central Pennsylvania, located in prime areas with relative access to roads and important commercial centers.

Jeff Rutt photo credit: leslierankow.files.wordpress.com

More information on Jeff Rutt and Keystone Custom Homes, including images of the customizing options in the interiors and exteriors of the homes built, is available at KeystoneCustomHome.com.

Born through HOPE: Jeff Rutt's micro financing program helps Philippine businesses

From Jeff Rutt

In 1997, Jeff Rutt established HOPE International, a Christian-based nonprofit organization committed to alleviating the underprivileged conditions of communities worldwide through discipleship and micro financing.

The Philippines is one of 16 countries that continue to benefit from the micro-financing projects of the foundation. Recognizing the crucial role of the microfinance industry in the country, the Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of BSP) was mandated by the General Banking Law to institutionalize and regulate micro financing within the banking sector in 2000. In the same year, the BSP declared microfinance as its flagship program in accordance to the General Banking Law’s pro-poor mandates.

Jeff Rutt photo credit: infohub.ph

Marcosa Igot, a native of Lapu-Lapu City, is one of the many housewives who sought the assistance of Jeff Rutt and HOPE International. The wife of a humble factory worker and mother of five children, Marcosa was determined to start her own business to supplement her husband’s meager wage. In the early 1990s, she began a handicraft business with a capital of P50,000. In spite of economic challenges, she has managed to grow her business, exporting her hand-woven box frames and baskets abroad.

According the BSP, 202 banks have granted P7.3 billion to over one million micro entrepreneurs in the span of a decade. In its commitment to improve existing laws, the BSP issued Circular No. 744 on December 28, 2011. The mandate decrees that a borrower who shows the capacity to pay can loan a maximum of P300, 000.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) distinguished the Philippine microfinance industry as the best in terms of regulatory framework. It also ranked second place in terms of overall business environment.

From Jeff Rutt

More information about Jeff Rutt and HOPE International can be found at www.hopeinternational.org.

Jeff Rutt: Building homes and making dreams

From Jeff Rutt

Founder and CEO of a multi awarded home builder company in the United States, Jeff Rutt is building quality homes for Americans and making dreams come true for others across the globe.

Even with the recent housing crisis in the United States, owning a home is still a priority among Americans. According to Les Christie at CNN.Money.com, Americans share a positive view regarding owning their own home, whatever their ethnic background or immigration status. Market giant Fannie Mae states that more than half of all Americans still believe that owning a home is still part of the American Dream. Thus, it can be said that whether the crisis in the market will continue, Americans will still want to acquire their own homes.

Jeff Rutt photo credit: wahaonline.org

American building visionary Jeff Rutt established Keystone Custom Homes in 1992, on the simple philosophy to raise the standard of building homes anchored on his core values of perseverance and efficiency. That philosophy has reaped great rewards for Jeff, with his company closing deals for the sale of 12 homes in its first six months of operations.

But Jeff does not only build homes; he builds dreams as well. He is also the founder of HOPE International, a group that provides microfinance opportunities for the poor to get affordable loans to start small businesses.

From Jeff Rutt

If you want to know more about Jeff Rutt, his work and advocacy, visit the company website: www.keystonecustomhome.com.