The Company Has Been Recognized Collectively for the Philanthropic Dedication of Both Employees and Leadership
Congratulations to Meritage Homes, the 2023 recipient of the distinguished Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award, presented by BUILDER and Hearthstone. The 24th annual award was bestowed live at the Builder 100 event this week at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California.
“The collective spirit of generosity and enduring dedication to charitable giving makes Meritage Homes an exemplary recipient of the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award,” said Jeff Meyers, CEO of Zonda. “From their core values to their employee involvement, Meritage Homes embodies commitment to public service.”
Hearthstone and BUILDER joined forces to recognize builders who are dedicated to giving back and making a difference in the community. Over the last 24 years the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award has given over $7.5 million to various charities, making it the largest philanthropic award in the homebuilding industry.
“Start with Heart” is more than a mantra for Meritage Homes, it’s a core value. In 2014 executive chairman Steven J. Hilton founded the Meritage Cares Foundation, a qualified 501(c)(3) charity. Additionally, Phillippe Lord, CEO of Meritage, calls upon employees to identify which organizations Meritage Cares should give to on a quarterly basis. The company also has an enterprise-wide program called Q4 Outpour, in which all divisions vote to select one charity to donate their time and money to every fourth quarter.
Over the past ten years, Meritage has contributed countless hours and over $6.5 million to various charities through monetary and in-kind donations. Given its long-standing partnership with Operation Homefront, the company has built and donated 17 mortgage-free homes to military families. They also contributed to sustainable forestry by hosting 15 regional tree planting events across the country in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2022.
Between 2021 and 2022, Meritage Cares donated over $600,000 to support ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education and career development for underrepresented groups. The donations sponsored college scholarships as well as internship and job opportunities in the homebuilding industry. Organizations included INROADS, Building Talent Foundation, United Negro College Fund and several Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Hispanic Servicing Institutions.
The Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award program is fully funded by a team of sponsors. Every dollar given is donated to the awardee’s associated charities. In recognition of Meritage Homes’ exemplary philanthropic dedication, Hearthstone—together with additional donations from Meritage Homes and its generous vendor partners—is proud to present $400,000 to No Child Hungry and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
“Hearthstone is proud to recognize Meritage Homes as our winner of the 2023 Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award,” says Mark Porath, CEO of Hearthstone. “The Meritage Cares program is more than a catchphrase. Starting with the executives and cascading to all Meritage employees, they have made the commitment to care for others a part of their company culture, by dedicating time, attention, and resources to helping support those who serve us in the military, and children and families who are in need. Being able to highlight Meritage’s good deeds is exactly the reason the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award was founded.”
The award recipient was chosen by a panel of top industry leaders with experience in humanitarian outreach.
