Building More Than Homes: How Perry Homes Builds Stronger Communities 

With nearly six decades of experience, Perry Homes has built more than just houses—Perry Homes has built a legacy. As the largest woman-owned homebuilder in the nation, Perry Homes has proudly upheld a tradition of excellence since its founding in 1967. Founded on the bedrock principles of excellence, customer service, integrity, teamwork, and giving back, the company is dedicated to crafting high-quality homes and delivering exceptional customer care throughout every stage of the homebuilding journey. Beyond its commitment to excellence in construction, Perry Homes is equally devoted to giving and supporting initiatives that make a lasting impact.  

A Legacy of Giving Back 

Since the company’s inception by its founder Bob Perry, Perry Homes has given back to the communities where they build. This passion for giving was an extension of Bob Perry’s constant drive to serve others, and throughout his adult life, he continually made it his mission to help those who needed it most.  

When the company transitioned to the ownership of Bob’s daughter, current Owner and Executive Chair, Kathy Perry Britton, she was determined to integrate the company’s legacy of giving back in the company’s operations and the employee experience.  Greater Houston Community Foundation was able to help her meet those objectives with her establishment of the Perry Homes Foundation.  As a donor advised fund administered by the Community Foundation, the Perry Homes Foundation is the primary vehicle through which the company now lives out Kathy’s own passion for helping and serving others in need, continuing her father’s legacy that started nearly 60 years ago.  

“My father instilled into me key principles of giving, showing what it meant to ‘love thy neighbor.’ These are not small shoes to fill, but I am working to carry on my father’s legacy of making a difference—in our parks, in our schools, and in our neighborhoods—through the formation of the Perry Homes Foundation. I truly believe it’s the most important work our company could ever do.”

—Kathy Perry Britton, Owner and Executive Chair, Perry Homes

Today, the core mission of the Perry Homes Foundation is to support initiatives benefiting those who are disadvantaged or less fortunate, to create educational opportunities for deserving students needing financial assistance, and to enhance the beauty and sustainability of our local parks and communities.  

A Shared Commitment 

At Perry Homes, giving back is more than a company value—it’s a shared commitment embraced by its employees. Through hands-on volunteering and active community partnerships, the Perry Homes team plays a vital role in the company’s giving and community impact. From supporting youth education and development, to enhancing access to housing and safety, and expanding health and wellness programming, Perry Homes employees help drive meaningful change in their communities. 

In 2024, another opportunity for Perry Homes employees to create meaningful change arose as it launched the Perry Homes Employee Match Program in partnership with the Community Foundation. This opportunity invited employees to amplify their charitable impact with a donation matched by the Perry Homes Foundation between November 1 and December 3, 2024—Giving Tuesday. This program was designed to allow its team members to support the causes that mean the most to them and make a genuine difference to those in need.  

The Community Foundation handles the administrative burden of implementing a corporate matching gift program, from creating the application and conducting any due diligence needed to writing a check to a deserving organization. Executing an employee matching gift program can be complicated and resource-intensive. Mike Brisch, Perry Homes’ Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, explains:  “Greater Houston Community Foundation is a trusted, strategic partner that allows us to maximize the impact of our charitable efforts and strengthens our brand as a company committed to community investment and meaningful impact. Their expertise and shared purpose ensures that every dollar we contribute is directed to worthy organizations.” The Community Foundation simplifies the matching gift process for Perry Homes as its reliable philanthropic partner, working alongside the Perry Homes team to help maximize its impact. 

Empowering Employees  

Perry Homes not only empowers its employees to give back through community involvement, they also stand beside them in meaningful ways. Two key initiatives highlight how Perry Homes lives out this commitment:  

Tradition of Excellence Scholarship

Perry Homes’ Tradition of Excellence Scholarship provides educational growth for employee family members pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. This scholarship was initially created to support Perry Homes’ education pillar, a core focus of its giving strategy. By investing in academic achievement and personal growth, the scholarship reflects Perry Homes’ commitment to empowering the next generation through access to quality education and opportunity. 

Since the scholarship program began in 2017, 512 scholarships have been awarded. The Community Foundation supports Perry Homes through the scholarship application review process to ensure it is consistent, efficient, and timely, allowing Perry Homes to award scholarships and disburse funds to students before the start of each Fall semester. 

Employee Disaster Relief

Beyond education, Perry Homes also ensures employees have support in times of crisis. Created in 2017, the Perry Homes Employee Disaster Relief Program at the Community Foundation has provided employees meaningful support during unexpected hardships, reinforcing Perry Homes’ commitment to caring for their employees beyond the workplace. Perry Homes has awarded over 130 grants to employees to date, supporting them in their recovery efforts during events such as Hurricane Harvey, Winter Storm Uri, and Hurricane Beryl.

“Our partnership with Greater Houston Community Foundation is instrumental in providing timely support and relief to both our employees and the communities we serve during a crisis, whether it’s an employee related need or a tragedy like in Kerr County. The Community Foundation allows us to respond effectively and immediately to urgent situations.” 

– Mike Brisch, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer at Perry Homes

Dedicated to Excellence 

Since formalizing its philanthropic partnership with the Community Foundation, the Perry Homes Foundation has contributed over $14 million to charitable causes across Texas and Florida. Perry Homes’ commitment to making a difference is solidified throughout the organization, impacting employees and communities alike. A Perry Homes employee shared, “We have great leadership that truly believes in ‘building communities,’ not just building homes. It’s one of the many things that make me Perry Proud.” Perry Homes’ corporate philanthropy program reflects the values at the heart of the company’s culture: compassion, support, and community.  

At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we believe that every business—large or small—has the power to make a lasting difference. By partnering with us, companies can extend their reach and deepen their impact, creating meaningful change in the communities they care about most, while also raising their employees’ awareness of philanthropic opportunities. Together, we can build stronger connections and a brighter future for all. 

Reach out to our Senior Director of Corporate Relations, Stephanie Blair, today to understand how the Community Foundation can develop a customized corporate giving program tailored to your company’s values and goals.  

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation: 

• How to Start an Employee Giving Program
• Southwest Airlines: Bringing People Together in the Air and on the Ground
• Maximizing Corporate Philanthropy
• Bob Harvey’s Amplified Giving: Evolving Philanthropy to Shape Houston’s Future

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