WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nonprofit organization Building Talent Foundation (BTF) announced a collaboration with the Lennar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Lennar Corporation, one of America's largest homebuilders. The organizations will work together to empower unemployed youth at risk and adults with barriers to employment to acquire highly sought-after job skills and find career opportunities in the construction industry.

The primary purpose of the Lennar Foundation is to change lives by providing avenues for a diverse group of underserved persons to enter or re-enter mainstream society. The Foundation helps high school dropouts, high school graduates, returning veterans, unhoused individuals, kids in foster care, kids in the juvenile justice system, and adults returning from serving time for nonviolent crimes by funding various construction skills certification programs. 

“We’re pleased to work with Building Talent Foundation to bring more underserved people into homebuilding careers. Helping people who may not be able to help themselves is in the DNA of Lennar,” said Marshall Ames, chairman of the Lennar Foundation. “Our joint programs will strengthen communities.”

BTF was established in 2019 by Leading Builders of America, an association of the 20 largest homebuilders, including Lennar Corporation. In its 10 markets across Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, BTF supports young people and people from underrepresented groups with career coaching and job search assistance towards rewarding careers in homebuilding.

“By working closely together, we will impact more lives," said Branka Minic, CEO of BTF. “With Lennar Foundation’s support, BTF will quickly enter additional markets in Georgia, North Carolina, and California, and scale up its programs in Texas. We look forward to collaborating with all Lennar Foundation’s training partners to connect their graduates with BTF employer partners. Lennar Foundation’s grant will propel BTF fast forward toward our vision of creating a sustainable residential construction workforce by 2030.”

Lennar Foundation’s generous investment in BTF of $2 million over two years will accelerate the advancement of the organizations’ mutual goals.