Survey shows Realtors more likely to donate to charitable causes than many Americans
WASHINGTON — Eighty-two percent of Realtors donate money to charitable causes every year, compared to the national average of 56.6 percent of Americans who do so, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors.
The Community Aid and Real Estate Report, known as the CARE Report, provides insight on the monetary and volunteer contributions that general members at-large, broker-owners and association executives of multiple listing services give to society. The report found that all three of these groups donate money and volunteer significant amounts of time in their communities while supporting their local Realtor associations.
Compared to the general members at-large (82 percent), 81 percent of broker-owners donate money on an annual basis, while 90 percent of association executives and MLS staff donate each year.
According to the report’s findings, four-fifths of the NAR’s members reported that being involved in their community is an important component of their business plan.
“The findings in this report highlight what we’ve known all along — that Realtors go above and beyond to serve their neighbors,” said NAR President John Smaby, a second-generation Realtor from Edina, Minnesota, and broker at Edina Realty.
“Realtors across the country not only work to help people achieve the American
dream, but they also work hard to make a difference in our communities and make them better places to live,” he said.
When it comes to volunteering, 85 percent of association executives and Multiple Listing Service staff report that they volunteer on a monthly basis for a median amount of 10 hours.
Seventy-seven percent of broker-owners volunteer on a monthly basis for a median amount of 10 hours, followed by 66 percent of members at-large for a median of eight hours.
In comparison, just
6.1 percent of Americans volunteer on a regular basis.
Of those who donate money annually, broker-owners give a median amount of $1,950, the most of the three groups. Association executives and MLS staff donate a median amount of $1,250 a year, and general members give $1,000 annually.
Realtor associations also donated to their communities, with a median annual amount of $5,000 to their communities and $2,500 to the NAR.
Eighty-nine percent of association executives and MLS staff responded that their associations held a fundraiser for their community last year, with 54 percent holding three or more.
Eighty percent of broker-owners indicated that they encourage their agents to be involved in their communities, and 64 percent of general members at-large reported that their firms encourage them to volunteer.
In 2019, the NAR will celebrate the 20th year of the Good Neighbor Awards, which recognize Realtors who make extraordinary commitments to improving the quality of life in their communities.
Since their inception, the Good Neighbor Awards have recognized more than 200 Realtors for their charitable service and awarded $1.2 million in grant money. For more information, visit nar.realtor/gna.