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Jim and Barbara Knuppe Give $2 Million to Endowment
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Barbara and Jim Knuppe | H. James and Barbara Knuppe were named the newest Life Trustees of the National Housing Endowment for donating $2 million to the philanthropic arm of NAHB.
The Knuppe’s seven-figure gift is the largest single donation to the endowment.
“It is our hope that through our commitment to the National Housing Endowment, we will be able to provide education to students to enter the residential construction industry who may not have the resources to do so on their own,” said Knuppe. “The National Housing Endowment is a critical resource in making this vision a reality.”
Knuppe is the founder and owner of AAAAA-Rent-A-Space, which operates self-storage facilities in Northern California and Hawaii. He has been an innovator in the residential construction and self-storage industries for more than 40 years.
Knuppe began as a single-family home builder and diversified into the self-storage industry when he founded the AAAAA Rent-A-Space company in 1971 — the first self-storage business in California.
As a home builder, Knuppe helped write the Condominium Act of California in 1960 and was the first builder in California to use complete sound proofing in multi-unit apartment buildings; to build successful mid-rise condos; to introduce zero side yards units in the San Francisco Bay area; and to develop an FHA planned unit development.
Life Trustees have contributed at total of $22 million to the endowment.
“Through the generosity of Jim and Bobbie Knuppe’s gift, the endowment will be able to support and invest in the education, training and research for the home building industry — both nationally and in the Knuppes’ home state of California,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and NAHB 2002 president. “Their commitment to the future of this industry is evident in their seven-figure commitment. Their legacy will endure for generations to come.”
“We are so appreciative that the Knuppes have chosen to be a part of the endowment family,” said Patsy Smith, endowment trustee and president of Herman Smith Company. “We have all benefited from being part of NAHB and it is through the endowment that we are able to give back.”
Knuppe is a lifetime member of NAHB and the Building Industry of America (BIA). He has served on the NAHB Board of Directors for 47 years and was inducted into the NAHB Housing Hall of Fame in 1994.
“Besides being a pioneer in the self-storage business, Jim Knuppe has always been a strong believer in the work that we do at the local and state and national levels,” said Robert Rivinius, CEO of the California Building Industry Association. “It was no surprise to learn about his generous contribution to further the work of the industry. This will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit our industry for years to come."
 “Our gift to the National Housing Endowment is our way to thank the industry and NAHB for helping us to become successful,” said Knuppe. “We want to be good stewards of what has been given to us, and through the endowment our commitment will ensure our legacy continues for years to come.”
“I recommend that anyone interested in giving back to the industry should consider giving to the endowment,” Knuppe added.
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