The mission of the Acts of Courage is to ensure that every woman in our community has the opportunity to access affordable homeownership if she desires. Beyond the support of our Founding Members, we invite every woman and ally who cares deeply about women and children in our community to get involved.
Generational Impact
Michaela Guster bought a City of Milwaukee tax foreclosure – a duplex – for $27,000 in April 2023. She was 29 years old and a first-time homebuyer.
Family is really important to Michaela, and she didn’t have to look far for a role model in homeownership – her Mom, Vanessa, worked with Acts 12 years ago to purchase the home Michaela grew up in! Her brother is an Acts alumni, too, and her younger sister is going to rent the second unit in her duplex until she’s ready to start the program.
Michaela says buying a fixer-upper has been her goal since she was a kid. She’s a living example of the generational impact homeownership can have on a family.
Where Funding Goes
This year, funds will be used to underwrite a Power Pack cohort of 100 women, which will launch in the fall of 2023. On top of 1-on-1 homebuyer coaching, this program offers the opportunity for women to come together monthly for financial education and moral support, along with financial incentives. Any participant who opens an Individual Development Account (IDA) through the program will have the opportunity to access up to $1,000 in matching funds (money they save here will be matched dollar-for-dollar) and can earn $100 per month for active participation in the cohort.
$100,000 will underwrite matching funds for all of these women, helping them move closer to homeownership. Acts of Courage was inspired by women taking control of their lives, intuitively understanding the power of homeownership, and working hard to make it a reality.
Founding Members
Founding members contribute $100,000* or more, and make a commitment to engage 10 new supporters in honor of the fierce, ambitious, and courageous women pursuing homeownership through Acts Housing.
If you’d like to become a founding member, please contact Jamie Pitts, Director of Fundraising at jamie@actshousing.org or call 414-635-0834
*Founding member contributions may be fulfilled over a period not to exceed 5 years from the pledge date.
Giving Society Members
The Giving Society will open membership to 100 new donors per year. Members make a $1,000* annual contribution and may further engage on a committee supporting the annual luncheon or volunteer day.
*Giving society gifts may be fulfilled annually or quarterly if paid by automatic EFT.
