Justin Muccigrosso is a New York-based finance professional whose career spans asset management, institutional sales, and business development. He most recently served as an associate with a global asset manager, where he compiled corporate data and reports for prospects and investors across equity, fixed-income, and private debt strategies. Earlier in his career, Muccigrosso worked as a relationship management support associate and gained experience as a summer finance analyst with a growth-equity platform. A graduate of Boston College, he holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses and is proficient in tools such as Bloomberg Terminal and BlackRock Aladdin. Outside of his professional pursuits, Muccigrosso is an active volunteer with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, whose programs support affordable housing across the country.
Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization that collaborates with local communities to provide in-need families with affordable, well-constructed places to live. Families and communities that partner with Habitat for Humanity enjoy all the benefits of a safe, reliable shelter, ranging from improved physical health to optimal child development, along with an increased opportunity for economic advancement and educational achievement. With these goals in mind, Habitat has established several distinct programs.
Women Build, for example, exists to bring together volunteers from diverse backgrounds to build safer, more resilient communities. Originated in 1991, the program focuses on the unique needs of women and children, who are most likely to suffer the impact of inadequate living conditions. Women Build empowers women through the stability and independence afforded by a home, along with various hands-on learning opportunities. While the program focuses on the needs of women and children, Habitat does not exclude volunteers of any gender identity and opposes discrimination of all kinds. Local communities should strive to develop as diverse a volunteer workforce as possible.
The Veterans Build program, meanwhile, allows volunteers to assist American veterans and military service members, as well as their families. Housing support is a major need among the nation’s veteran population: according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, about 24 percent of the 2.5 million American veterans serving as head of household live with housing cost burdens. Furthermore, veterans are more likely to live with physical disabilities that necessitate costly home renovations, which may increase as they age. The National Housing Conference reports that almost half of American veterans who are single mothers spend over 30 percent of their income on housing.
More recently, veterans have returned from service to find a stagnant economy characterized by rising housing costs, further complicating the already difficult transition to civilian life. Close to four million veterans spend at least 30 percent of their income on rent or mortgage, and over 1.5 million spend 50 percent or more, making it virtually impossible to keep up with other expenses. Through the Veterans Build program, Habitat does not just build affordable housing, but employs veterans, facilitates critical volunteer engagement, provides veterans with access to financial education and financial literacy programs, and hosts special events throughout the year that honor the contributions of veterans.
Finally, Habitat youth program volunteering opportunities represent the organization’s investment in future generations. Habitat programming is designed to foster a love and appreciation for volunteering in America’s youth, including volunteers as young as five years old. The optimism and ambitions of youth volunteers are welcome at Habitat build sites and related projects.
In addition to these initiatives, Habitat maintains a robust Home Preservation program. These home repair services allow homeowners to continue living in safe, reliable homes for many years. Specific repair services include weatherization, landscaping, painting, and minor home exterior renovations. These services not only preserve homes, but revitalize entire communities.
Families partner with Habitat based on income, need, and willingness to help. By relying on a volunteer labor force and donated materials, the Home Preservation program keeps costs as low as possible, while an affordable loan arrangement enables homeowners to cover the remaining expenses. All payments go to a revolving Habitat fund that enables the organization to provide Home Preservation services to other in-need homeowners.
About Justin Muccigrosso
Justin Muccigrosso is a New York-based finance professional with experience in asset management, institutional sales, and business development across global asset managers. A graduate of Boston College with a degree in economics and marketing, he holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. An avid golfer, runner, and triathlete, Muccigrosso has completed the TCS NYC Marathon and the Nantucket Triathlon. He volunteers with organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Student Sponsor Partners.