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REALTORS® are building deep connections within their communities, giving more money and devoting more time to support numerous causes from neighborhood cleanups to fundraising for those in need. Eighty-three percent of the nation’s 1.5 million REALTORS® cite community involvement as an important component of their business plan, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2022 Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report. The report highlights the monetary contributions and volunteer efforts of NAR members, broker-owners and REALTOR® association executives and staff.
Two-thirds of REALTORS® say they volunteer on a monthly basis, spending an average of eight hours per month giving back, the report shows. Further, 79% made charitable donations last year. REALTORS® were most likely last year to volunteer to deliver food to the elderly or help food banks with COVID-19 relief efforts, according to the report. Twenty-two percent of REALTORS® say they hosted an annual fundraiser for their local community or nonprofits.
“REALTORS® are deeply involved in their communities, and this report shines a light on the great volunteer efforts by NAR members,” says NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith. “It is inspiring to see REALTORS® across the country continue to boost local charitable efforts, and I’m proud to be part of such a compassionate and caring group.”
Associations Encourage More Members to Get Involved
Charitable giving by REALTOR® associations has climbed 20% since 2020, the report shows. The typical REALTOR® association donated more than $12,000 to the community last year, up from $10,000 in 2020. Eighty-five percent of associations hold events that encourage their members to volunteer within their community, according to the report. At least half of the nation’s local and state REALTOR® associations planned volunteer projects for the week-long 2022 REALTOR® Volunteer Days event in June.
For example, Florida REALTORS® recently held a volunteer event called “Clean Up Florida’s Waters,” in which members across the state teamed up to clear more than 18,000 pounds of trash and debris from 36 miles of Florida waterways.
Additionally, NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards each year recognizes the extraordinary impact of REALTORS® in their community or beyond through volunteer work. The 2022 Good Neighbor finalists have been announced, and you can vote for your favorite cause through Sept. 30.
