33 years after its creation as a nonprofit organization with a mission to bring Help, Hope, Housing, and Healing to families experiencing homelessness, Rainbow Village has launched a capital campaign to more than double the number of people it can serve. During a well-attended event at COhatch in Duluth on Thursday, October 24, Rainbow Village officially launched its “Building Homes. Building Hope.” Capital Campaign. Within its current campus footprint, the nonprofit can serve 30 families with transitional housing and transformational programming for up to two years. The recent purchase of an adjacent property paired with the development of a three-year Strategic Plan means Rainbow Village can more than double its capacity to serve an additional 36 families. United by a mission with meaningful impact, the launch event brought together community leaders and passionate philanthropists.
“More than bricks and mortar, this campaign is not just about raising funds; it’s about igniting hope and fostering change in our community,” said Rainbow Village CEO Melanie Conner. “With the help of our supporters – old and new, we will not only provide housing, but we will create a safe space for families to live and thrive as they work to break the cycle of homelessness. We are beyond grateful to our many benefactors for the $10,752,768.50 raised to date, including an incredible $4.6 million grant from Gwinnett County. We have a long way to go, but I am so hopeful, given this amazing launch.”
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson added, “Our commitment to building strong, supportive communities is at the heart of everything we do in Gwinnett County. It is an honor to contribute to the growth of Rainbow Village and its mission to provide a safe and stable home for those in need. This award is more than just funding—it’s a promise to continue nurturing hope and creating opportunities for families to thrive.”
City of Duluth Mayor Greg Whitlock shared similar sentiments about the long-standing nonprofit, “Rainbow Village is an organization the city leans on to keep us in touch with the community. For folks facing hard times, we have to make sure that they believe there is hope, and that is exactly what Rainbow Village does.”
In addition to remarks made by Gwinnett County and City of Duluth leadership, the event featured an ambiance that underscored the vital role that Rainbow Village plays in addressing housing insecurity. Attendees were also treated to comfort food and acoustic tunes.
The Capital Campaign seeks to raise a total of $15 million. These critical funds will support the construction of two new buildings to house 36 apartments, along with the provision of tools needed to strengthen its operational foundation. Rainbow Village encourages donations of all sizes and has established a variety of giving opportunities. With every dollar raised, the organization moves one step closer to achieving its transformative goals.
For more information about Rainbow Village’s three-year Strategic Plan and ways to contribute to the Capital Campaign, please visit https://rainbowvillage.org/capital-campaign-building-homes-building-hope/. To learn more about Rainbow Village’s vital work to end homelessness – one family at a time, visit RainbowVillage.org.
