Our History
Millard Fuller—
Co-Founder of Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity's History
The idea for Habitat for Humanity was first voiced at Koinonia Farm, a Christian farming community founded in 1942 in rural southwest Georgia to be a “demonstration plot for the Kingdom of God.”
Millard Fuller, an entrepreneur and attorney, and his wife Linda made their way to that demonstration plot in 1965. Although a self-made millionaire by age 29, Millard’s health and marriage had begun to crumble. To save their marriage, the Fullers decided to begin anew, and sold all that they owned, giving their money to the poor. In their searching, they landed at Koinonia where they began soaking up the teachings of farmer, theologian, and community founder Clarence Jordan.
In time, Jordan and Fuller launched a program of “partnership housing,” building simple houses in partnership with rural neighbors who were too poor to qualify for conventional home loans. The first house was dedicated in 1969 and others soon followed. In 1973, the Fullers took the concept of partnership housing to Africa. Within a few years, simple concrete-block homes were replacing unhealthy mud-and-thatch homes…and Millard Fuller had a bold idea: If partnership housing could improve lives in Georgia and Zaire, why not the rest of the world?
In 1976, the Fullers returned to the United States and launched Habitat for Humanity International. By the organization’s 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of people were volunteering with Habitat and more than 500,000 people were living in Habitat homes worldwide. Mr. Fuller lived to see the organization he founded build its 300,000th home in December 2008, but he passed away unexpectedly in February 2009. Habitat affiliates work locally in communities around the world to select and support homeowners, organize volunteers, and coordinate house building.
In a memorable moment of collaboration for a noble cause, former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, alongside former Vice President Al Gore and Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, joined forces to support the organization's mission. Jimmy Carter, a longtime advocate for affordable housing, has been deeply involved with Habitat for Humanity since the late 1980s, leading numerous builds and fundraising efforts. Bill Clinton, inspired by Carter’s work, has also contributed significantly to the cause, particularly through his Clinton Foundation’s partnerships with Habitat. Al Gore’s involvement reflects his commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability, aligning with Habitat’s efforts to provide safe, affordable housing. Their combined efforts underscore a shared dedication to improving communities through the power of collective action.
Jimmy Carter with Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Millard Fuller