What is the Bozeman Fix-Up Festival?
Founded and organized by the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary club, the Fix-Up Festival (FUF) is a project that brings together local businesses and service organizations to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners who are physically and financially unable to do the work alone. Applicants must live in Belgrade, Bozeman, Four Corners or Gallatin Gateway, and live in their home. Priority is given to elderly, disabled and veteran applicants, and to projects that address health and safety concerns.
Fix-Up Festival began in 2010 as a pilot project. The outpouring of support has resulted in it becoming an annual event. In its first year, FUF repaired 6 homes through the efforts of more than 70 volunteers and the support of more than 40 sponsors, all in one day. Almost every year since we have completed 12 home projects, with over 160 volunteers, 12 home adopting organizations, and numerous sponsors being involved per yearly event.
What repairs can be done during Fix-Up Festival?
We do whatever repairs and renovations are possible within the scope of a one-day work party of 6 to 8 volunteers, including carpentry, deck repairs or replacements, plumbing, electrical work, painting, plastering, weatherization, heavy cleaning, limited roofing repairs, yard cleanup and trash removal. Home repair projects are selected from eligible applicants based on our ability to handle the project with the skills, budget, and time we have available. Fabricated, modular and mobile home projects are acceptable.
What is Roof Over Your Head?
Roof Over Your Head, (ROYH) was started in 2020 as a pilot project to specifically repair roofs. We did this after cancelling our conventional Fix-Up Festival event because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The repairs required for the selected ROYH homes were all outdoors. This meant social distancing could be followed by the volunteers so they could safely do the work and ensured the safety of each homeowner.
Based on the success repairing roofs in 2020, going forward we plan to select a to-be-determined number of homes for roof repairs each year. The number selected from eligible applicants will depend upon the complexity and cost to complete repairs under consideration, and the availability of one or more roofing contractors where repairs are beyond the capability of volunteers to complete. Roof repairs could be done during summer months, while FUF repairs historically occur in the fall. It is possible for homes to be selected for both repair events. And just like FUF, for ROYH we also have a preference to select and repair homes of the elderly, disabled and veterans.
How are Fix-Up Festival and Roof Over Your Head homes selected?
Homeowners can apply to be considered for selection for one or both events directly through our website Apply page, or by mail. Applications can also be picked up at the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC), The Gallatin Valley Food Bank and by calling Love INC in Bozeman to request one. While we accept applications year-round, our yearly application deadline is April 1st. We reserve the right to consider projects on a first-come, first served basis so it is best to get applications in early.
After initial eligibility screening occurs, homeowners will be visited by Sunrise Rotary Club members to assess what repairs can be done prior to home selections. Final selections are made by Fix-Up Festival committee members, with selected homeowners notified by August 1st. After selections occur, a Project Manager and Home Adopter Representative will meet with each homeowner to determine the scope of repairs and whether the work is within our volunteer’s skills, our financial resources and completion time constraints.
Who can Adopt a Home project?
Local service organizations and businesses can put together volunteer teams and adopt one or more homes. We require a donation of $500 per home project. For more information go to the Adopt page, or contact info@a.ovid/fuf/.
Who can volunteer?
Although we cannot guarantee placement of individual volunteers at specific homes, we will provide contact information for individual community members willing to volunteer to our Home Project Adopter organizations for their consideration. To express interest in volunteering, email info@a.ovid/fuf/.
Why are Fix-Up Festival and Roof Over Your Head needed?
Maintaining a home can be physically or financially difficult for the elderly, the disabled, or anyone with limited resources. Also, limited social service budgets are squeezing the ability of organizations like HRDC and Love INC to help. Each of our volunteer crews help build community spirit and compassion while giving neighbors a helping hand during challenging times.
How can I support Fix-Up Festival and Roof Over Your Head?
There are several ways you can support FUF and ROYH events:
- Volunteer to provide expert professional skills such as plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, or roofing.
- Adopt a home project through your business or service organization and organize a team of volunteers.
- Provide financial support either through a business sponsorship or through individual donations.
We offer five sponsorship levels; donations can be in the form of cash, materials, or services, or a combination. For more information on how you can best help, visit the Sponsor page or contact info@a.ovid/fuf/ and our sponsorship team will contact you.