Local housing groups unite to raise over $8,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Craven County
Press Release: New Bern, NC
For Immediate Release: September 9, 2026
Information Contact: Tracey Lilly, tlilly@cravencountyhabitat.org, 252-633-9599
Habitat for Humanity of Craven County has been chosen to receive a grant from the North Carolina REALTORS Housing Foundation (NCRHF) to support local housing initiatives.
HFHCC was notified on August 18 that the nonprofit was selected to receive a Matching Grant from NCRHF on behalf of the Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS (NRRAR) in the amount of $3,840.
“Your work in addressing community housing needs is vital, and we look forward to partnering with you on your initiative,” the notification from NCRHF Director Kentia Smith stated.
Whitney Woodall, association executive with NRRAR, said donations from both boards and an additional contribution from the Home Builders Association (HBA) will bring the total proceeds going to HFHCC to more than $8,000.
Part of those proceeds will come from a collaborative “Better Together” event featuring a “Dunking for Donations” dunking booth that raised an additional $1,280 for HFHCC.
The event highlighted how the two associations, while representing different sides of the housing industry, can work together toward a shared goal: making homeownership possible, accessible, and attainable within the Craven County community.
The NRRAR Board of Directors voted to contribute an additional $2,560, bringing the total to $3,840. NRRAR then applied for a matching grant through the NC REALTORS Housing Foundation, which provided an additional $3,840.
To help take the initiative even further, the HBA contributed an additional $440, bringing the grand total to $8,120.
“What makes the Matching Grant so meaningful is the ability to multiply the impact of the dollars we raise,” Woodall said “By leveraging the grant and combining available resources, we were able to take $1,280 raised at a single event and grow it into an $8,120 contribution. It is a tremendous example of how thoughtfully using the resources available to us can turn one successful fundraiser into something much greater. We can do more than talk about the importance of homeownership; we can help open the door to it.”
HFHCC Board Chair and President Chip Payson said the nonprofit is “deeply honored to receive this matching grant and the generous backing of our local housing industry partners.”
“The 'Better Together' spirit was on full display throughout this effort,” Payson said. “By leveraging their resources, NRRAR, NCRHF, and the HBA have provided us with critical funding that will directly support our initiatives to make affordable homeownership attainable for more of our neighbors.”
As the charitable arm of NC REALTORS, NCRHF continues to empower communities across North Carolina through its Matching Grant program, said NCRHF President Ayesha Richardson.
“By partnering with local REALTOR associations, like the Neuse River Region Association of REALTORS, the Foundation funds critical home repairs, home modifications, and housing revitalization projects,” Richardson remarked.
NRRAR President Brittany Blizzard said the donation is an example of what can happen when REALTORS and community members come together for a shared purpose.
“As REALTORS, we understand just how meaningful homeownership can be, and we are incredibly proud to support an organization like Habitat for Humanity that works every day to make that dream possible for more families in our community,” she said.