Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities again joining national home-building alliance
that will partner with 355 American families in 2007
One home was built in Rock Island this year; $55,900 will help build one more home
in 2007 as part of this effort

Bettendorf, IA (Dec. 20, 2006) – A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International will again help Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities expand its home building capacity. During 2007, one home will be built in Davenport, IA.

The additional home is part of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance that brings together thousands of volunteers and financial support from Thrivent Financial. Today, Habitat and Thrivent Financial are announcing $24.5 million has been committed to build 355 additional homes in 43 states with families in need in 2007.

Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is looking forward to 2007. “We are so pleased to once again have the support of Thrivent Financial Services. This support will allow us to build an additional home in 2007 and allow another family in our community to experience the security and stability home ownership provides. We are thankful to Thrivent for their continuing efforts to help us eliminate poverty housing” said Kristi Crafton, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities.

Habitat for Humanity of Knox County has also been awarded a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity grant to build one home in Galesburg. The Knox County affiliate was started in 1993 and has completed 34 homes. They are planning to build 4 homes in 2007.

“Habitat for Humanity – Knox County is pleased to take part in the Thrivent program in 2007. Because of it we will be able to complete at least 3 or 4 homes next year” said Jim Ecklund, Executive Director.

Thrivent Financial became Habitat for Humanity International’s largest ally as a result of a four-year $105 million commitment to help increase the non-profit housing ministry’s home building production. In addition, Thrivent Financial rallied its national network of nearly 3 million members to volunteer. The alliance gives local Habitat affiliates the opportunity to work with more low-income families toward achieving Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing.

In 2006, the first year of the alliance, 313 families in 43 states achieved the dream of home ownership—a projected six percent increase in Habitat’s U.S. home production. In its second year, the alliance is again increasing Habitat’s home construction by working with 256 Habitat affiliates to build 355 homes.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity brings together two national nonprofit networks of 1,699 Habitat affiliates and 1,364 Thrivent volunteer chapters. Locally, the East and West Scott County and East Rock Island County Thrivent volunteer chapters will be helping with the homes. The need for an effort of this magnitude is great:

More than 13 million U.S. households use at least half of their income to pay for housing.
Millions more live in overcrowded conditions or housing with severe physical deficiencies, such as having no hot water, electricity or toilet.

To learn more, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.

About the Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities

Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in the Quad Cities. Since 1993, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities has worked with 43 families to build homes. For more information, visit www.habitatqc.org.

About the Heartland Region of Thrivent Financial

The Heartland Regional Financial Office is made up of 85 financial representatives and more than 72,441 members in Northern Illinois and Clint and Scott counties in Iowa. Together with its members, Thrivent Financial’s Heartland Region provided more than $5,818,250 million in charitable outreach in 2005. For more information, visit www.Thrivent.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit membership organization helping nearly 3 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. As a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. Thrivent Financial has main offices in Minneapolis, Minn., and Appleton, Wis. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.

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Habitat for Humanity - Quad Cities is a nonprofit Christian housing organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing by building simple, decent and affordable housing. “Partner” families purchase these homes with a no-interest mortgage, and invest time in the build process.

Founded in 1993, HFH-QC has made the dream of home ownership possible for 43 families. We are very excited to have started our 45th home this year.