For Daniel and Rachael Pettit, finding space in which to host events for their charity, Trailhead International Builders, has been difficult.

“It’s always been tough to get space,” Daniel Pettit said recently during an interview with the Business Record. So while he was planning an office development west of Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee, Pettit decided to include event space in one of the buildings.

The space will be large enough to hold events for up to 500 people, he said. Trailhead International Builders will be among the groups using the space, Pettit said.

Construction of the building is expected to begin this month with completion slated in about 18 months.

Trailhead International will move its offices, now in Ankeny, to the 88,000-square-foot Waukee facility as well, said Pettit, who with Rachael is co-president of the faith-based nonprofit.

Trailhead International develops homes for homeless churches in developing countries. It also builds community centers, feeding centers for children and adult literacy centers. Organized in 2015, the charity has completed 40 projects in 18 countries.

“My wife and I, years ago, talked about doing more things for kids,” said Pettit, who is also planning a $101 million entertainment district in Waukee. Trailhead International Builders raises the money to pay for the projects, keeping overhead at a minimum, he said.

“We are doing a lot, and it’s provided us with an opportunity to travel to a lot of neat places,” he said. Current projects include construction of a church and literacy center in Kenya, a church in Cambodia and a support center in Muscat, Oman.

The events the organization hosts raise money for its construction projects, Pettit said.

More information about the organization can be found at www.trailheadinternational.org.