Help Community Rebuilds After Federal Cuts

For more than a decade, the Moab-based nonprofit Community Rebuilds has been building better builders—immersive internships that pair affordable-housing projects with hands-on education in straw-clay, hemp-lime, and other carbon-smart techniques. Many of today’s natural-building leaders (including several NBA board members) first cut their teeth swinging hammers on a CR jobsite. 

This year, however, CR is facing its toughest challenge yet. The sudden elimination of AmeriCorps and related federal programs carved $130,000 out of the organization’s annual budget.

Generous donors donated $2,100 to bring CR interns to Bozeman, but because of the heavy work schedule, CR needs its hard working interns to stay on site, building natural, healthy homes for CR families. We will be sending those donated funds directly to Community Rebuilds.

This letter from Rikki Epperson explains what’s happening in Moab:

We learned on Friday that USDA Rural Development is suspending our funding—which supports the majority of our staff—because we are currently behind on our grant metrics. These delays are through no fault of our team; they are a direct result of federal loan shortages, which have prevented us from breaking ground on several scheduled projects.

I had already been concerned about the timing of the conference overlapping with our prime natural building season, but this recent development makes it even more critical for Community Rebuilds to stay laser-focused on advancing the homes currently under construction—as quickly and efficiently as possible—so we can get back on track and requalify for future funding.

We are truly heartbroken to miss the conference this year. That said, we’re already looking forward to co-hosting future gatherings with NBA, and we’re committed to deepening our partnership in the years ahead.

The generosity and support from you, the NBA Board, and the NBA community—especially those who donated on our behalf—means the world to us. It’s been a powerful reminder that we’re not alone during these challenging times.

We are still about $38,000 short of the funds needed to support this year’s student cohort, due to the recent AmeriCorps DOGE funding cuts. If donors are open to redirecting their generosity, this is a deeply meaningful and time-sensitive cause.

Right now, we have a dedicated crew of 7 women and 2 men working on four affordable homes—currently framing interiors and eagerly awaiting the arrival of straw bales so they can start plastering this fall. Their energy and optimism are contagious.

What you, and NBA as a whole, are doing for the natural building movement is so important. We’ll be with you in spirit this year—and cheering you on from Moab.