Get Involved
Communities Lead. We Partner. Together we build.
Where It All Began
A Dig in Romania and a Promise to Return
Building Humanity traces its roots to an archaeological excavation in Porolissum-Moigrad, Romania, where founder Erin Colshan interned in 2008. Each summer, the arrival of international students brought resources, energy, and support to the local community. Yet when the season ended and everyone returned home, much of that support disappeared as well.
Recognizing this challenge, Alexandru Matei, the local museum director and lead archaeologist, encouraged Erin to find a way to create lasting impact beyond the summer months. Inspired by that challenge, she returned home and, together with her mother, Stephanie Colshan, founded Building Humanity in 2009.
The organization's earliest support came from former students and volunteers connected to the region, with projects focused on the community of Moigrad. As word spread, requests for assistance began arriving from other families and communities across Transylvania. A partnership with Caminul Felix, a children's village near Oradea, further expanded the organization's work and introduced opportunities to support larger construction and community development projects.
What started as a commitment to one community soon evolved into a broader mission: connecting skilled volunteers, donors, and local leaders to create lasting, community-driven change around the world.
Where Your Support Goes
Building Humanity's Six Pillars of Impact
Every gift is put to work inside one of six pillars, the foundations that make lasting change possible for individuals, families and communities.
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Shelter & Housing
Every person deserves a safe place to call home. Your support helps communities build secure, dignified spaces, from homes to classrooms to sanitation facilities, that strengthen stability and wellbeing.
460 people supported through housing
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Nutrition & Healthcare
Healthy communities thrive. Your generosity expands access to nutritious food, clean water and unbiased healthcare, ensuring families can live with strength, dignity and resilience.
3,258 people reached with health and clean water
A further 250 are projected once the Kenya composting toilets are in daily use.
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Families & Children
Strong families build strong futures. Your investment creates environments where children are protected, supported and given the opportunity to grow into their full potential.
51 families strengthened
The Louisiana resiliency center will reach a further 1,098 tribal members once it is built.
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Girls & Women
Empowering girls and women transforms entire communities. Your partnership opens doors to education, safety, leadership and economic opportunity, ensuring women and girls can thrive on their own terms.
55 girls and women reached each year
Forty-five girls a year through the Sacred Valley Project and ten women employed at the Felix Family Bakery. Still under-reported: participant counts from Pollinate Energy are yet to come.
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Education
Education is the foundation of opportunity. Your contributions build learning environments, STEAM programs and resources that ignite curiosity, creativity and lifelong success.
935 students reached every year
A further 1,400 people are projected through the Kenya composting and sanitation training program.
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Economic Growth & Stability
Sustainable change requires economic strength. Your support fuels local jobs, skills training and community-run enterprises, creating stable livelihoods that endure long after a project is complete.
500 farmers supported through sustainable agriculture
Alongside $74,000+ of design and technical services donated, and women-led enterprises supported across several countries.
Build with us
Three Ways to Get Involved
Whether you're an individual volunteer, a company looking to engage employees, or a community seeking support, there are many ways to become part of Building Humanity's mission.
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For Individuals
- Explore Upcoming Projects Learn about current and future build opportunities, as well as past projects, on our Projects page.
- Get in Touch Let us know which project interests you, and we'll provide information about the build, costs, fundraising opportunities, and what to expect.
- Join the Team No construction experience is required. We welcome volunteers with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to making a difference.
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For Companies
- Choose a Partnership Opportunity Support an existing build or work with us to create a customized volunteer experience aligned with your organization's goals.
- Connect With Our Team Share your objectives, whether employee engagement, team building, community impact, or CSR initiatives, and we'll help identify the right opportunity.
- Build Together Recruit your employee team and let us handle the planning. Volunteer teams typically work best with 10 to 20 participants, and no prior construction experience is necessary.
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For Communities
- Review Our Six Pillars Our projects focus on six core areas of impact that guide how we evaluate and support community requests.
- Submit Your Request Tell us about your community, the challenge you are facing, and the type of support needed. Every project begins with a conversation.
- Collaborate on a Solution If your project aligns with our mission, we'll work together to determine how Building Humanity can best support your goals through design, fundraising, technical expertise, volunteer engagement, or construction assistance.
Send Us a Project Request
Every project we've supported began with a request from a community or a trusted local partner. Tell us about your vision, and let's explore how we can work together.
Other ways to join
Interested in any of these, or something we have not thought of? Email info@buildinghumanity.org
Who we build with
Project Partners
The organizations that bring us the challenge and champion the solution long after we leave.
Who backs the work
Donors & Sponsors
Organizations and individuals who invest in lasting change through funding, in-kind donations, sponsorships, and event partnerships.
Get Involved
Making change starts with you
Join Building Humanity in donating your time, your skills and your resources. Tell us a little about yourself and our team will be in touch about the next build. You make the world a better place, one act at a time.