Landmark $25M Gift Supports Affordable Housing

NAPLES (February 8, 2025)—During our February home dedication ceremony at Songbird at Whippoorwill, we shared the news about a historic $25 million gift from the Schoen Foundation. This marks not only Habitat Collier’s largest donation to date, but also one of the largest philanthropic gifts in Naples history. It will provide critical resources to support our ongoing efforts to expand affordable homeownership opportunities.

Rising costs continue to push housing further out of reach for many local families. Critical donations like this one help ensure that Habitat can continue securing land, preparing sites, and funding infrastructure to build safe, stable homes. The Schoen Foundation’s partnership with Habitat Collier spans more than two decades, built on a shared commitment to strengthening the community through affordable housing.

“We’ve been amazed at Habitat’s vision—the planning, the execution,” said Karen Schoen Sutton of the Schoen Foundation. “When Lisa explained what the next vision was, we definitely wanted to be part of it, and we’re very happy that we had the opportunity to be a leading gift for that vision.”

Habitat Collier CEO, Rev. Lisa Lefkow, reflected on the long-standing relationship between the Schoen Family and Habitat Collier. The partnership began with a corporate sponsorship in 2003, later transitioning to our work with the Schoen Family Foundation. In that time, 63 families have purchased Habitat homes made possible through Schoen Foundation gifts.

One of those homeowners, Florine, was present at the dedication ceremony. She purchased her home in 2021 and shared how homeownership has changed her life.

“I don’t know how to thank you all enough, because you’ve changed our life tremendously,” she said. “You’ve given us security, stability, and I don’t know what the future holds, but I feel like it’s all reachable because we have affordable housing.”

For more than 45 years, Habitat Collier has been the primary provider of affordable homeownership opportunities in Collier County. Partner families describe their homes as a turning point—offering stability for their children, financial security for the future, and a sense of belonging in a community.

Donations like the Schoen Foundation’s gift not only provide necessary resources, but also inspire others to invest in the power of affordable homeownership. This commitment ensures that more families will have the opportunity to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership for generations to come.