How can my business support RTNB?
Rebuilding Together New Britain offers year-round programming and opportunities for sponsors large and small.
Rebuilding Day: Spring Rebuilding Day is our largest event and our major annual program. Held on the last Saturday in April, teams of volunteers restore 10-15 homes in the City of New Britain with the support of community sponsors and donors. This event is part of National Rebuilding Day. Sponsorship levels range from $3,000 and up.
Safe at Home: Safe at Home is RTNB's year-round maintenance program. It provides homeowners with critical repairs to ensure safe, healthy living. Safe at Home projects vary in scope, and some offer opportunities for smaller groups or individuals to truly make a difference. Sponsorship varies as well, from $500 for a smaller projects to $20,000 and up for program underwriting.
Where does the money go?
Rebuilding Day sponsorship funds are pooled and distributed based on the needs of each individual project. Safe at Home projects are funded on an individual basis. Generally speaking, approximately 65% of funds are utilized for project materials and contractors, 15% are used for logistics such as permits, dumpsters, and food, 10% are earmarked for day-of store runs and closeout expenses, and 10% are used for client outreach, screening, communications, and project insurance. Any remaining funds are used for marketing and sponsorship recognition.
What is the base sponsorship level?
For Rebuilding Day projects, sponsorship begins at $3,000. We are committed to providing the best possible experience to our sponsors, volunteers, and to the homeowners we assist. It is for that reason that we begin our team sponsorships at $3,000. Our view of a successful project is a home that no longer needs our attention once the work is finished. $3,000 allows us to provide a safe, quality, and meaningful repair service.
Safe at Home projects vary widely in scope, from $500 to $10,000 and upwards, depending on the work required. Please contact an RTNB coordinator to learn about the projects we currently have on deck.
Do I have to volunteer?
No. Many sponsors choose to organize volunteer teams consisting of employees and managers, as it helps build rapport among co-workers and has been shown to positively effect employee health and happiness. However, opportunities are available to sponsor volunteers that do not come with funds of their own.
What do I need to volunteer?
As a non-profit organization, RTNB relies on generous individuals like yourselves to remain operational. We would love to be able to put every interested team and individual to work in the exact manner they desire. However, it is our responsibility to ensure that each team is qualified to carry out the project it is assigned. We humbly ask that you consider the full scope and budget of your group's request and be open to working with us to create an appropriate plan that leaves all invested parties with a positive experience.
RTNB does not have contractors or home repair maintenance experts on staff. It is of tremendous benefit to your group and to us if your House Captain is skilled in home repair/maintenance and can manage a worksite. If your volunteer group contains individuals qualified to carry out particular repairs, the process is greatly facilitated and the requirement for us to provide skilled laborers is lightened or lifted completely. If your group does not contain such individuals, we respectfully ask that you be aware that the cost of your project is raised significantly and we do not have the staff on hand to negate the increase.
How can I build a successful volunteer team?
Volunteer teams are generally 15-20 volunteers strong, comprised of caring individuals, willing to roll up their sleeves to make a difference in someone's life. Volunteers may be skilled or unskilled in home repairs, but the best teams offer a mix of both.
Leadership is the key to a successful volunteer experience. At a minimum, teams must identify a House Captain and a Volunteer Coordinator.
The House Captain is the leader in charge of prioritizing tasks on the day of the build, ordering materials in the weeks leading up to the build, and overseeing the physical labor and safety of the volunteers at their project site. This person may, but need not, be a skilled contractor, as long as the individual has some knowledge of home repairs.
The Volunteer Coordinator is the team's primary cheerleader, someone who can identify and recruit good team members and keep them motivated. This individual will serve as liaison between the team and homeowner and will work closely with the house captain and RTNB, ensuring that all paperwork is filed on time for insurance purposes. The coordinator need not possess any special knowledge of the building trades.