Nonprofits are famous for making a lot happen with little money. To sustain their efforts, more and more are turning to retail stores to boost the bottom line.

Habitat For Humanity is the latest to join the ranks of those in Bellevue with its own thrift store.

“Our goal is to gain enough net income to build an additional two or three more houses per year in East King County,” said Tom Granger, executive director for Habitat’s East King County branch.

The store, one of 23 in the state and more than 700 nationwide, is designed to help provide money to build affordable housing. The store primarily offers second-hand furniture and appliances.

The thrift-store model is common among area nonprofits.

Overlake Service League – now Bellevue Lifespring – is more than a century old. Though a smaller non-profit, with a budget slightly exceeding $1 million annually, Bellevue Lifespring is heavily dependent on its retail location.

The organization’s store in Bellevue Square has occupied the same spot since 1963, said president Trish Carpenter. It was originally a gift from Kemper Freeman Sr., and the rental cost remains $1 per year. The store raises more than $200,000 annually.

“Our shop is also our face in the community,” Carpenter said. “It offers an opportunity for us to reach out to the community and tell our story.”

Perhaps the most famous thrift store is Goodwill. Community support is crucial, officials say, with store sales providing the income for most of its activities, according to Betsy McFeely, spokeswoman for the organization. The money supports the company’s job training and education programs.

The Bellevue Goodwill store has an unusual feature, McFeely said. It features an extensive collection of designer labels, and the yearly designer sale often features a Black Friday-like atmosphere.

“We have a really great donor base in Bellevue, and really great community support,” McFeely said.

Aside from the financial benefits, thrift stores also create jobs and serve an environmental purpose.

McFeely said Goodwill employs more than 1,500 people throughout its five-county area of operation. Those employees also help reduce the amount of waste.

“These stores continue that philosophy of good stewardship of the earth by keeping a lot of things out of the landfill by using items that are usable, but not what the previous owner wants,” Granger said.

Nat Levy can be reached at 425-453-4290.