REALTORS® engage with their communities more than any other profession. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), approximately 82% of REALTORS® reported they volunteered their time for charitable causes.
The 2024 Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report, a survey of more than 6,000 REALTORS®, brokerages and associations, found that REALTORS® devote an average of eight hours a month and donate more than $1,200 annually to various causes.
“REALTORS® support their communities because they feel passionately about the places they live and work,” says Abby Hauke, board chair for the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® (GMAR). “Their hours of service and financial support directly touch the lives of the people in their neighborhoods, communities and states.
NAR Backs Community Efforts Each year, the NAR sponsors the REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors Volunteer Days, which encourages members to join their local association’s volunteer events or get involved with their favorite nonprofit. REALTORS® typically support food banks, housing and shelter organizations, local community improvement projects and youth and family programs.
The Volunteer Works program, another NAR sponsored initiative, gives seed money and provides mentoring from past Good Neighbor Award winners. This support helps expand charitable efforts through strategic planning, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising.
REALTORS® Help Financially
REALTORS® support many organizations throughout Wisconsin with generous financial contributions. Three foundations in particular support individuals and communities through grants and organized giving.
- WISCONSIN REALTORS® FOUNDATION
Tina Balaka, sales director with Shorewest Realtors, chairs the Wisconsin REALTORS® Foundation (WRF), which focuses on helping children, seniors and families with food, shelter, education and a variety of everyday needs.
“REALTORS® have a desire to serve and give – it’s why they get into real estate,” says Balaka. “We believe strong communities are better for everyone. The Foundation makes it possible to positively impact our neighbors’ lives.”
Balaka says financial contributions from Wisconsin REALTORS® fund grants that organizations apply for and receive to help with their missions. The Keep Wisconsin Warm and Cool fund and the Heat and Housing for Heroes fund help keep the heat and power on for thousands of Wisconsin families and veterans each year.
The WRF also provides direct financial support to homeowners and renters impacted by natural disasters such as the Milwaukee area’s historic flood in August. Nationally, the WRF supports the National Relief Foundation which provides emergency assistance to flood, fire, and hurricane victims.
- First Weber Foundation
Amy Curler, a REALTOR® and manager of First Weber’s West Bend office, actively supports the First Weber Foundation. Since its beginning nearly 20 years ago, the Foundation has distributed more than $4.2 million and partnered with more than 1,100 non-profit organizations around the state.
“Every First Weber office focuses on the needs present in that particular community through Passion Projects,” Curler says.
The West Bend office’s Project Gratitude raises money in the community that the Foundation matches each Thanksgiving. The funds are used to purchase all the ingredients for a Thanksgiving meal.
“We do it all,” says Curler. “We grocery shop, assemble the baskets for families in need throughout Washington County and deliver them. Seeing kids’ faces light up is so rewarding – we know we are making a real difference in their lives.”
- GMAR Youth Foundation
Since 1959, GMAR’s Youth Foundation, which is funded primarily through REALTOR® contributions, has awarded millions of dollars in grants to non-profit youth programs in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Washington counties. The programs serve children and young adults through age 25 in the areas of education, social services and the arts.
Organizations that the Youth Foundation has supported include Blessings in a Backpack, Spina Bifida of Wisconsin, Cops and Kids Foundation, River’s Edge Nature Center and Wild Space Dance, to name a few.
REALTORS® Volunteer
In addition to financial support, REALTORS® volunteer many hours a month to strengthen their communities. From giving their time to build houses for Habitat for Humanity, packaging Grab ‘N Go meals and coaching little league teams, to serving on non-profit boards and committees, REALTORS® regularly get involved in their communities.
Tom McCormick, broker/owner of EXIT Realty Horizons, views volunteering as helping someone in a way that makes a difference.
“REALTORS® are a part of the communities, they serve,” says McCormick. “It’s important as people and community members to give back.”
He notes that the rewards of volunteering are well worth it. “It’s personally gratifying to see the impact one person can make,” McCormick says. “Serve with gratitude and it comes back to you a thousand times.”
The REALTOR® Advantage
A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, is committed to a Code of Ethics and has the expertise to find the right home for everyone. Look for the “R” to determine if your agent is a REALTOR®.
Locally, the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® is a 5,500-member strong professional organization dedicated to providing information, services and products to help REALTOR® help their clients buy and sell real estate. Visit gmar.com for more information.