Donations of Real Estate
Finding suitable building lots is growing increasingly more difficult in the Hancock County area and we are always looking for affordable sites:
- vacant lots in residential zones throughout Hancock County
- single family, single story houses not exceeding 1,200 square feet (smaller preferred) suitable for remodeling
- tracts of land not presently residential, but suitable for residential re-zoning and subdivision/development
- tax sale land
To contribute land, call us at (207) 702-9457 or click here to contact us via our website form.
In evaluating land we do our due-diligence to be sure that we’re being the best stewards of our resources. Habitat will:
- ask the donor(s) for basic real estate property disclosures;
- take a trip out to the site to do a visual survey;
- request a professional survey (if available);
- check for clear title;
- request access to perform a perc-tests (for well–in the event that there is no municipal hook-up) and/or to test existing systems when there is a structure on the lot; and,
- work with you on obtaining an appraisal for IRS tax donation purposes.
If the real estate donation is accepted, Habitat will pay all transfer and recording fees.
Where does Hancock County Habitat build?
With your support, we build throughout the county. Since our founding in 1989, Hancock County Habitat for Humanity has worked in 14 towns in our 37-town [+ townships], 1,587 square mile [land only!] service area. Our first home was completed in the summer of 1991 in Gouldsboro, two years after our founding. Since then, we have worked in Bar Harbor, Bass Harbor, Brooklin, Bucksport, Ellsworth, Franklin, [Gouldsboro], Hancock, Lamoine, Otis, Seal Harbor, Sedgwick, and Sullivan!
With your help, we have completed the construction of 19 new homes, 3 house rehabs/renos/repair (small & larger scale)*, and the demolition of 2 blighted properties. Currently (2021/2022), we’re working on updating a reacquired Ellsworth Habitat home for re-occupancy and the site work for our 20th build on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
IRS Group Exemption Information: As noted at the bottom of each page of our website, Hancock County Habitat for Humanity, with employer identification number 01-0443774, is considered a subordinate under the group tax exemption umbrella of Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. (“HFHI”) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The group exemption number assigned to HFHI, our parent organization, by the IRS is 8545, and their EIN is 91-1914868.
Our organization doesn’t appear on the IRS’s Exempt Organizations Select Check site [https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-select-check] as we are a subordinate under Habitat for Humanity International and fall under their group exemption number, searchable by their EIN. (A few other Maine affiliates actually do appear separately, which can get a bit confusing!)
All donations made to Hancock County Habitat for Humanity are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Donations made by constituents in our service area through our parent organization, HFHI, do not necessarily funnel their way back to our local affiliate, but rather must be designated specifically to us and are then sent after HFHI takes an 11% administrative fee out of the donation. Please consider donating locally and directly. Thank you!