Giving Back Is Good Business —Atlantic Builders Proves It

[Illustration by Maggie Goldstone ... From Left to Right: Adam Fried, CEO, Atlantic Builders / Cindy Zello, Executive Director, Beauty for Ashes (Women’s & Children’s Home) / Tom Schoedel, President, Atlantic Builders / Brian Roinestad, Director of Purchasing, Atlantic Builders]

Atlantic Builders and the Power of Giving Back

What we don't control and can't know can get exhausting. They can sweep us into their force fields, away from today, here, the miracle of who you are being every bit as important as what you can do.

As the economic landscape grows more unpredictable, with headwinds of affordability challenges, policy whiplash, supply constraints, and market volatility, the question for homebuilders is shifting.

In 2025 and beyond, success will not solely depend on how well a company executes transactions and builds homes. Instead, it will be about the organization's character — who it is, what it stands for, and the values it instills in its team members and partners through its business practices.

And just as meaningfully important, who it wants to be as a team, a reputation, a value maker in the business and livelihood of making new homes and neighborhoods for people.

Moments ahead, like it or not, will involve digging deep and finding what a rattling, raucous backdrop of chaos and fear can not deter.

Few exemplify this better than Atlantic Builders, a company based in Fredericksburg, Virginia. With a business model rooted in community engagement and a culture of generosity, the company’s annual Give Back Home program is not just a philanthropic initiative. It’s an expression of the company’s DNA — a reflection of its values, leadership, and commitment to making a difference beyond selling homes.

A Million-Dollar Commitment to Community

In January 2025, Atlantic Builders announced that its Give Back Home program had reached a milestone: a $1 million donation to charitable organizations. Now in its eighth year, the initiative is funded entirely by the profits from the sale of a designated home each year. To date, the program has contributed more than $3.8 million to causes ranging from affordable housing initiatives to disaster relief efforts, benefiting over 25 organizations across local and national levels.

CEO Adam Fried recalls the origins of the program, noting that the company’s culture of giving predates the formalized effort:

“We’ve always tried to do good things. Twenty years ago, we raised money and quietly gave $400,000 to a free clinic. Then, in the aftermath of the Great Recession, we built three homes for severely wounded soldiers from Iraq. That effort got national attention, and our team felt incredibly motivated by the impact we could make.”

This sense of purpose — rooted in community and compassion — has only grown stronger. Over the years, the Give Back Home program has expanded both in scale and intention, incorporating deeper engagement from trade partners and employees.

More Than Writing Checks: A Culture of Shared Purpose

For Atlantic Builders, generosity is not an afterthought — it’s built into the company’s operating system. Brian Roinestad, Director of Purchasing, describes how deeply embedded this culture is:

“Culture at Atlantic Builders is one of our core competencies. It’s not just about hiring employees; it extends to how we select and work with trade partners. We don’t change trade partners often—the average tenure is 10 to 15 years. Our mindset is simple: If you find good people, you can make the money work.”

This culture of partnership extends to the Give Back Home initiative, where trade partners are not just contributors but decision-makers. Roinestad highlights one of the unique aspects of the program:

“We allocated 10% of this year’s $1 million donation for our Trade Partner Council to choose which charitable organizations to support. They came prepared, selecting five organizations that mattered to them personally. It’s not just about writing a check—it’s about engagement, ownership, and impact.”

Open-Book Management: Transparency and Team Buy-In

Atlantic Builders operates with open-book management, meaning financial results are shared with employees, who all have a stake in the company’s performance. This model fosters a sense of shared success, which extends to their community engagement efforts. Fried sees this approach as a key differentiator:

“We’re not employee-owned, but our team operates with full financial transparency. Everyone sees the numbers, and when we do well, we all benefit. That culture naturally extends to our charitable efforts, where employees play a direct role in where we give.”

Roinestad echoes the sentiment, noting that this approach fosters pride and participation:

“Our team members love sharing what we’re doing in the community. Whether they’re at the grocery store or talking to neighbors, they take pride in knowing they work for a company that genuinely cares.”

Building Loyalty Through Purpose

Beyond internal engagement, Atlantic Builders’ commitment to giving back plays a role in shaping customer and community relationships. While Fried believes philanthropy is not a direct sales driver, he does see it as an authentic reflection of the company’s values:

“We’re not doing this as a marketing strategy. It’s about being genuine—supporting the people and causes that matter in our community. If that resonates with customers, great. But the real goal is to do what we believe is right.”

The Business Return on Generosity

The broader homebuilding industry has long recognized that success is not just about financial performance—it’s also about community impact. Many of America’s leading homebuilders, from David Weekley Homes to Drees Homes and Hayden Homes, have embedded philanthropy into their core business strategies. Studies have shown that companies with strong community ties benefit from increased employee engagement, stronger customer loyalty, and enhanced brand reputation.

Strategy & Business recently explored the power of generosity in business ecosystems, finding that companies engaging in generosity-driven partnerships tend to be more resilient, innovative, and competitive in the long run. Generosity fosters more substantial relationships, higher employee satisfaction, and a more loyal customer base—all contributing to sustainable growth.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities in 2025

As Atlantic Builders looks toward 2025, the company faces the same industry headwinds as many others: rising land costs, supply chain challenges, and margin pressures. However, their long-term strategy remains clear: stable growth, prudent financial management, and an unwavering commitment to their core values.

Fried is focused on land acquisition as a major challenge:

“We’re concerned about securing enough lots at reasonable prices. We don’t take on excessive debt, so we’re always balancing growth with stability.”

Roinestad adds that, while supply chain issues have improved since the COVID-19 disruptions, long-term stability remains a key focus.

“Compared with 2021 and 2022, things are smoother, but we’re always watching for potential disruptions.”

The Future Belongs to Builders Who Stand for Something

In a homebuilding landscape that is evolving rapidly, the companies that will endure are those that stand for something bigger than the homes they build. The Give Back Home program is not just a feel-good initiative; it is a proof point of Atlantic Builders’ character—who they are, not just what they do.

As 2025 unfolds, homebuilders nationwide will face an industry litmus test. Those who build not just homes but trust, relationships, and community resilience will be the ones who thrive in the long term.