The A.A. Van Elslander Family Foundation $1M Endowment Challenge

The VanElslander family (Art Van Furniture) has been a long-time partner of Ben's Hope. With a heart to ensure our sustainability, the A.A. Van Elslander Family Foundation has pledged a $1Million match toward our endowment with a 5 year timeline. To receive this generous gift we need to raise $1Million. Presently, we have raised over $400,000.

$1M yet to go to build 2 additional homes

In recent decades, the incidence of autism has grown at an alarming rate from 1 in 2,500 in 1997 to a staggering 1 in 36 today [1]. Further, since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in1990, ideology has evolved to value (and fund) community-based housing options rather than state institutions. As state institutions have closed, more and more people need community-based housing. Housing innovation has not kept pace with the growing need. Each week we receive inquiries from families and individuals who are urgently in need of residential placement and love the community model of Ben’s Hope.

We believe God is calling Ben's Hope to serve more people. In response to this pressing need, we have launched a campaign to raise funds for an additional 2 homes which will allow 12 people to join the Ben's Hope family and create 20 new jobs.