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Learn how one couple’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity has helped build more than just homes.

By Chris Garner, Communications Specialist

“It's hard to have good mental health and physical health if you don't have a place to live,” said Tanya. “It's hard for your kids to go to school and succeed if you don't have a place to live.”

In 2024, the number of households unable to afford housing rose 9% in just a year to more than 640,000.¹

Numbers like these are why Tanya and Lee, fundholders at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, have made affordable housing a part of their giving legacy.

For nearly 20 years the couple has been intricately involved with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. After meeting former CEO Sue Haigh at a forum, they began their tenure with the organization — Tanya serving on their board, and both volunteering on several Habitat builds. They have volunteered all over the world to support the building of affordable homes, in places such as New Jersey, New Orleans, Costa Rica and Cambodia.

“I think the real crisis that we're all in now is the financial health of our broad home ownership of affordable housing,” Tanya said. “The challenge for us as a community is we need to build more homes and be sure they stay upright, in fair condition and financially stable for the owners.”

The couple is also a big supporter of Housing in Action and Project for Pride in Living where Tanya serves as Board Chair.

“ A check is a wonderful thing but follow it up with a little volunteering. You have no idea how rewarding it can be. I sign up to clean the kitchen after an event or load the trash compactor, because I know engagement will only increase my interest.”

Lee, fundholder

Building a Better Community

Tanya and Lee value community. Since graduating from Macalester College in the 80s, the couple has called Saint Paul home. Along with their three daughters, they have been actively engaged in community, participating in church mission trips at Macalester Plymouth United Church, Saint Public Schools board meetings and events of .

“I'm aware of just how fortunate we are," said Lee. “We were buried under college and grad school loans when we were younger, and the idea of being a philanthropist was absurd; but it kind of worked out that we do actually have money to give now.”

Tanya and Lee's understanding of the current economic challenges facing our communities has significantly influenced their deliberate approach to philanthropy. Their contributions extend beyond financial donations, encompassing the investment of their time as well.

“A check is a wonderful thing, but follow it up with a little volunteering,” Lee said. “You have no idea how rewarding it can be. I sign up to clean the kitchen after an event or load the trash compactor, because I know engagement will only increase my interest.”

At Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Tanya and Lee see firsthand the challenges many individuals face to maintain housing, whether it be a lack of affordable housing or resources needed to sustain it.

One of the key resources to maintaining affordable housing is capital. Twin Cities Habitat’s Mortgage Prevention Foreclosure Program helps homeowners who may be struggling to pay their mortgage to keep their homes, preventing foreclosure.

“The beauty of Habitat is that it has the first right to buy houses back, not to take away equity and value created by the family but to be able to keep it affordable for the next owners,” Tanya said.

A Family Tradition of Giving

The family’s appreciation for giving extends to their three children. One of their daughters served as an AmeriCorps student and worked directly for Habitat for Humanity for four years.

Since opening a donor advised fund with the Foundation in 2020, Tanya and Lee have recognized the benefit of making planned gifts through their fund rather than giving to organizations every time they ask. They also enjoy including their daughters in the process of making gifts through their fund. During the pandemic, their daughters got them involved in a different type of giving.

“They went from being with us doing this stuff to then after the murder of George Floyd, rallying all their friends to raise a bunch of money, food, diapers and then would deliver them to different spots like Sabathani [Community Center] because that's what they could do,” Tanya said. “We're so grateful that they've all internalized the importance of giving and introduced us to new organizations to support.”

One of those new organizations their daughters introduced them to is Cresent Cove, the first children’s residential hospice home in the Midwest and an endowment fundholder at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

The Foundation's Impact in Action

Our fundholders care deeply about many issues, and housing is a top concern. Over the last five years, our donor advised fundholders have recommended 461 grants to 125 housing organizations.

See Our Donor Impact

¹Norton, Gabriela. Minnesota Housing Partnership. State of the State’s Housing 2024. [PDF]

As communications specialist, Chris Garner supports the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s work by highlighting it to the community through words, photo, video and other media. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Alabama State University and a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University.

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