Charitable giving by Realtor associations up 20 percent since 2020

WASHINGTON — Charitable giving has continued to rise among Realtor associations, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors.

The Community Aid and Real Estate Report offers insight into the monetary and volunteer contributions of NAR members, broker-owners, and association executives or multiple-listing-service staff. This year’s CARE Report found that the median donation by Realtor associations was $12,070 last year, compared to $10,000 in 2020 and $5,000 in 2018.

“Realtors are deeply involved in their communities, and this report shines a light on the great volunteer efforts by NAR members,” said NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith, a Realtor from Plano, Texas, and a broker associate at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate in Dallas. “It is inspiring to see Realtor associations across the country continue to boost local charitable efforts, and I’m proud to be part of such a compassionate and caring group.”

Two out of three Realtor members at large — 66 percent — volunteered monthly, spending an average of eight hours volunteering each month, and both figures have remained steady since 2018. Seventy-nine percent made charitable donations last year, down slightly from 82 percent in 2020.

Among broker-owners, 77 percent volunteered their time each month, a small decline from 79 percent in 2020. The typical amount donated annually by all broker-owners increased this year to $2,300 (compared to $1,800 in 2020) and $3,000 among those who only donated annually (compared to $2,000 in 2020).

Sixty-six percent of association executives or multiple-listing-service staff volunteered monthly, and 87 percent made personal donations in 2022. Eighty-five percent of AEs or MLS staff said their associations hold events that encourage their members to volunteer.

A recent example of an association volunteer event was the Florida Realtors’ Clean Up Florida’s Waters effort, which saw local Realtor associations join forces to clear over 18,000 pounds of trash and debris from 36 miles of waterways across the state.

“We thank all of our Realtor members and residents who volunteered and dedicated their time to preserving our beautiful waterways,” Florida Realtors President Christina Pappas said. “This is a sterling example of how we can accomplish so much when we all work together.”

Realtors were most likely to have volunteered with food delivery for the elderly or food banks to help with COVID-19 relief efforts. More than four out of five respondents — 83 percent — reported that community involvement is an important component of their business plan.

In 2018, Linda Brown, a Realtor from Springfield, Missouri, and her husband, David, opened Eden Village, a 31-unit tiny-home community offering permanent housing and support services to formerly homeless individuals. Today, the couple have grown their operations to two fully functioning villages that house 55 residents.

“We are seeing lives change,” Linda Brown said. “Now our friends have self-worth, dignity and a feeling of hope. We are able to give them a hand up, not a handout.”

A third Eden Village location is planned for 2024, and Brown has started hosting conferences and providing licenses to others to create Eden Villages in their communities.