News: the board of directors of non-profit group Architecture for Humanity has confirmed it will file for bankruptcy, but 57 international chapters have pledged to continue working under a new umbrella network.
In a statement issued on the organisation’s website last night, board chair Matt Charney said that Architecture for Humanity LLC would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the US within the next two weeks.
“Architecture for Humanity has had incredible partners and funders that made our work possible over the last 15 years but, like many charity organisations, we have had serious funding challenges,” said Charney.
“Our leadership worked to overcome the funding gaps to the best of their ability, but the deficit combined with budget overruns and an overall decrease in donations finally became an insurmountable situation.”
Related story: Architecture for Humanity co-founders “deeply saddened” as charity’s head office closes
Operating under the slogan “Design like you give a damn”, Architecture For Humanity was founded in 1999 and raised money to fund architectural solutions to humanitarian crises around the world. At its peak it was receiving over $5 million (£3.3 million) in funding each year. Its work was carried out internationally by independent chapters, coordinated by a parent organisation in San Francisco.
But on 1 January this year the charity’s head office laid off all of its staff and ceased accepting donations.
Despite the collapse of the parent company, the 57 chapters will continue to operate under the new umbrella title the Architecture for Humanity Chapter Network and have now launched an AFH Chapter website.
“Many of the international chapters of Architecture for Humanity, while they share a common name, are separate legal entities and will continue their work without pause,” said Charney.
“Additionally, the US-based chapters of Architecture for Humanity are managed by all volunteer directors, and those directors have vowed to continue the work of the organisation, though it may be under a different name. It is a testament to what Architecture for Humanity has meant to the profession that the work will continue.”
Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr
The San Francisco-based non-profit organisation was founded by Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr, who ran it from 1999 to 2013 before stepping down to undertake new ventures.
“While we founded the organisation, at its heart are its design fellows and volunteers,” said Sinclair. “We are giving the chapters the space to create the governance needed to form an alliance of humanitarian designers.”
The chapter leaders have also issued an official joint statement, vowing to continue to support humanitarian architecture activities across the globe.
“The commitment of this network of volunteers remains unwavering, and we vow to continue supporting our local communities,” said the AfHCN statement.
“We believe design is a right not a privilege. True to our grassroots form, we are determined, agile and resilient. We are ready for the challenges of this new year and are looking towards a brighter future. United we stand stronger than ever,” it said.
Statement from the board of directors, Architecture for HumanityIt is with great regret that we announce that Architecture for Humanity, LLC will be filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Board expects that the bankruptcy will be filed within the next two weeks. This decision was made after serious consideration and review of all options. All staff was laid off as of January 1, 2015 and the physical office in San Francisco has been closed. As of January 1, 2015, the organization also stopped accepting donations. It is important to distinguish that while Architecture for Humanity as a 501c3 company is filing for bankruptcy, many of the international chapters of Architecture for Humanity, while they share a common name, are separate legal entities and will continue their work without pause. Additionally, the U.S. based chapters of Architecture for Humanity are managed by all volunteer directors, and those directors have vowed to continue the work of the organization, though it may be under a different name. It is a testament to what Architecture for Humanity has meant to the profession that the work will continue.Architecture for Humanity has had incredible partners and funders that made our work possible over the last 15 years but, like many charity organizations, we have had serious funding challenges. Our leadership worked to overcome the funding gaps to the best of their ability, but the deficit combined with budget overruns and an overall decrease in donations finally became an insurmountable situation.Even with this sad news, it is important to remember what the thousands of Architecture for Humanity volunteers and staff accomplished and inspired over the last 15 years. In 2006, the TED Prize was given in recognition of this work and spawned the Open Architecture Network, a platform that allowed a community to be born surrounding open source design and connected the world of humanitarian design globally in the digital space like no one had done before. Architecture for Humanity has provided important public interest design services to communities with critical needs across the globe, including post-disaster reconstruction in the United States, Haiti, the Philippines, South Africa, and Japan. We encourage everyone to take a look at the incredible work that has been done. “Design Like You Give A Damn”, a phrase coined by co-founder Cameron Sinclair, became a motto and transformed into an annual conference and two published books showcasing public interest design. Further, this motto became a part of architecture as a profession. In many ways, Architecture for Humanity helped to begin the humanitarian design movement. We now look to chapter members, volunteers, former staff, and the profession at large to lead the way.The Board will continue to share any new updates with you via the Architecture for Humanity website.We are extremely proud that Architecture for Humanity has been able to positively impact millions of lives through the power of design. We humbly thank you for all of your support.Matt Charney
Board Chair
Architecture For Humanity
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