Frequently Asked Questions

About the Event

What is Women Build?

Women Build is Ulster County Habitat for Humanity’s first peer-to-peer fundraising event. It brings teams of five volunteers to the build site at Hope Springs in Saugerties for a half-day of hands-on homebuilding. Teams raise a minimum of $2,500 before they build — money that goes directly toward making affordable homeownership possible for families right here in Ulster County.

When is the event?

Women Build takes place September 22–26, 2026. Build shifts run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by lunch provided by Ulster Habitat.

Where does the build take place?

All build days take place at Hope Springs, Ulster County Habitat for Humanity’s new construction site on Jeffery Court in Saugerties. Exact address and parking details will be provided upon registration.

Who can participate?

Women Build is open to everyone — women and men alike. While the program is designed to celebrate and center women’s leadership and empowerment, all volunteers are welcome. We require women to captain the teams with at least 3 women. Teams must consist of exactly 5 people for safety and site management purposes.

How many teams are available?

Space is strictly limited to 20 teams total — 4 teams per day over five days. Once slots are filled, registration will close. We encourage you to register early.

Teams & Registration

What is a Team Captain?

The Team Captain is the person who registers the team and takes the lead on fundraising. As Team Captain, you will set up your team’s fundraising page, share the link with your network, and coordinate your four teammates. We provide you with a pre-loaded page so you don’t have to start from scratch — just personalize it, share it, and start raising.

How does the fundraising page work?

Each team gets its own dedicated fundraising page through our peer-to-peer platform. We pre-populate it with information about Women Build and Ulster County Habitat for Humanity so you’re not starting from a blank page. You can personalize it with your team name, a photo, and a personal message, then share your unique link with friends, family, coworkers, and your broader network so they can donate directly to your team’s goal.

Why must teams be exactly 5 people?

Team size is strictly limited to 5 for safety reasons. Our build site has specific capacity requirements, and keeping teams at exactly five ensures everyone can be properly supervised, trained, and equipped. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation on this — it is non-negotiable.

Can I join a team if I don’t have a full team of five?

YES! We will have teams “captained” by women on our build crew. You will be obligated to pledge and raise at least $500.

Can I choose which day my team builds?

Day selection is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Door Opener sponsors ($5,000) receive first choice of build day. All other teams select their preferred day at the time of registration, subject to availability.

Can I get help with my registration page?

Absolutely – just reach out to Donna at donna.verteramo@ulsterhabitat.org or Dan at projects@ulsterhabitat.org

Fundraising

How much does each team need to raise?

Each team must raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate. That breaks down to $500 per person — but how you get there is entirely up to you.

How can we raise $2,500?

There’s no one way to do it. Here are a few ideas:

Ask 5 friends to each give $500
Ask 50 people to give $50 each
Get your employer to underwrite your team as a corporate sponsor
Share your page on social media and let your community show up for you
Host a small fundraiser — a bake sale, a happy hour, a trivia night

Your personal fundraising page makes it easy for anyone in your network to give — no matter how large or small the gift.

Is there a deadline to raise the funds?

Teams must meet the $2,500 minimum prior to their build day. We will be in touch with your team captain as the date approaches to confirm your fundraising status.

What happens to the money raised?

Every dollar raised through Women Build stays right here in Ulster County. Funds go directly toward Ulster County Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership programs, including the construction of homes at Hope Springs in Saugerties.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. Ulster County Habitat for Humanity is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made through your fundraising page are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The Build Day

What will we actually do on-site?

Your team will work alongside Ulster County Habitat for Humanity’s construction crew on active homebuilding tasks at Hope Springs. Tasks are assigned based on the stage of construction and what is safe and appropriate for volunteers. No experience is needed — our crew will train and guide you every step of the way.

What time does the build start and end?

Build shifts run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided for all team members following the build.

Do I need construction experience?

Not at all. Our construction team will be on-site to train you, guide you, and make sure every volunteer is working safely and confidently. The most important thing you bring is your willingness to show up.

What should I wear and bring?

We will provide you with an event t-shirt. Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and closed-toe shoes — no sandals, open-toed shoes, or heels. We recommend layering for outdoor conditions. We will provide gloves and any specialized safety gear required. Bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Will we meet the family we’re building for?

We hope so! We will invite everyone who participated in the event to our home dedications when we hand the keys over to our Habitat Homebuyers.

Does our volunteer time count toward the family’s sweat equity requirement?

No. Women Build is a fundraising event. Your volunteer hours are a gift of time and energy to the project, but they do not count toward the homebuyer family’s required sweat equity hours. Habitat homebuyers earn their homes by contributing sweat equity on their own home and other Habitat projects.

Sponsorship

What are the sponsorship opportunities?

Women Build offers three sponsorship tiers:

Door Opener — $5,000 (Premier): Provide or underwrite a team, first choice of build day, recognition on t-shirts, signage, and all promotional materials.
Key Holder — $2,500 (Team Builder): Bring or underwrite a team, recognition on all promotional materials.
Threshold — $1,000 (Listed Sponsor): Recognition on all Women Build promotional materials as a community champion.

How do I become a sponsor?

Contact Donna Verteramo at donna.verteramo@ulsterhabitat.org