GMAR Presents the
Greater Realtors® Foundation

The Greater Realtors® Foundation improves lives by offering financial assistance and other support to those in need.

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The Greater Realtors® Foundation
Benevolent Fund

In May of 2020, the GRF Board of Directors voted to approve the REALTORS® Helping REALTORS® Benevolent Fund. The Foundation has issued 25 checks in the amount of $7,594.33 to date.

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When Realtors® Get involved in their Communities,

#Greater things happen!

The Greater Realtors® Foundation relies entirely on donations to exist and help members. The Greater Realtors® Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so contributions from all sources are tax-deductible.
The Greater Realtors® Foundation, established in 2018, provides financial assistance through various grant programs for property disaster relief and disability-adaption projects to individuals, families, and non-profit agencies. Benevolent funding assistance is also available to help with various costs associated with extreme financial hardships, due to prolonged illness, a catastrophic event or accident, or similar occurrence beyond the control of the party receiving the assistance.

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Donation Levels

Community Partner

Requires a donation of: $10,000.00

Biggest name and logo with link through on website to your company website. Inclusion on Rack Cards both large and small, donation envelopes, and in any online marketing for the foundation. Press release highlighting your involvement with the Foundation. Speaking opportunities at Foundation events. 6 complimentary tickets to GMAR Gives Back event. 2 tickets to any GMAR networking event. Plaque and office presentation as well as a video for marketing purposes. Table donor signage at Foundation events.

Carol Boji
Nathan Boji

Patron

Requires a donation of: $5,000.00

Medium name and logo with link through on website to your company website. Press release highlighting your involvement with the Foundation. Plaque and office presentation. 4 complimentary tickets to GMAR Gives Back Event. Table donor signage at Foundation events.

Christopher Ayers
Kathleen Coon
Kevin & James Cristbrook
John McArdle
John Meesseman
Teri Spiro
Johnna & Bob Struck
Linnell & Associates

Champion

Requires a donation of: $2,500.00

Medium name and logo with link through on website to your company website. Press release highlighting your involvement with the foundation. Plaque. 2 complimentary tickets to GMAR Gives Back event. Table donor signage at Foundation events.

Julie Diaz
Jason Heilig
Dave Klaft
Rick Linnell
Mark Webberly

Greater Neighbor

Requires a donation of: $1,000.00

Small name with link through on website to your company website. Press release highlighting your involvement with the Foundation. Plaque and photo option.

Mathew Baffo
Lisa Blake
Al Block
Brenda & Brendan Brosnan
Kathy Coon
Andrea Esse
Maureen Francis
T Scott Galloway
Jeff Glover
Ron Jasgur
Dmitry Koublitsky
John North
Gary Reggish
Jimmy Stevens
Mary Webberly
WCR Rochester
Doug Whitehouse
Kerry Whitman
Rebecca Williamson

Friends of the GRF

Requires a donation of: $500.00 - $999.00

Your Name on the website

The Faces Behind the Foundation

Meet the people who make this dream a reality

Melissa Degen
‍President

“It is a privilege to sit on the board of the Greater Realtors® Foundation as it provides me with the chance to support the communities in which we live, work and serve. To be able to provide assistance to those in need and to help enrich the lives of others is a commitment to which I am fully dedicated”

Jane Lowell
Vice President

"I have always given back to my community. As a realtor®, it is even more important. Our community is our home, and I believe it is our duty to enhance it in every way possible; for me, it is to serve and give. I am honored to be a part of the Greater Realtors® Foundation."

Teri Spiro
Treasurer

“It is an honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater Realtor Foundation. It never ceases to amaze me how impactful the Realtor involvement in our communities truly is! I look forward to helping this wonderful organization continue its incredible work.”

Vickey Livernois
CEO & Secretary

"I'm excited to be involved in the Greater Realtors® Foundation because it gives us an opportunity to continue to give back and to build stronger and more vibrant communities. We are fortunate to have amazing volunteers who give of their time and talents to help create and fulfill the mission of the Foundation in years to come!"

Kathy Coon
Board of Directors

“Being a member of the Greater Realtors® Foundation is an honor. I have watched this foundation grow from an idea to a strongly supported community foundation which I have supported since its formation.Now, I look forward to being a board member to have an active role in its continued success.”

T. Scott Galloway
Board of Directors

“I am involved in the Foundation because I believe we are called to give back to the communities we serve and to be each other’s keeper. Volunteering for the Greater Realtors® Foundation is a small way for me to express gratitude for the opportunities I have been blessed with in life and through my affiliation with GMAR.”

Karen Greenwood
Board of Directors

"I'm always amazed by the work Realtors® do in the communities they serve. The Greater Realtors® Foundation allows us to do more work collectively, I could not be more honored to serve on this board. I'm excited to see the great things this foundation will do in the future for the communities we serve."

Lisa Blake
Board of Directors

"I have always given back to my community. As a realtor®, it is even more important. Our community is our home, and I believe it is our duty to enhance it in every way possible; for me, it is to serve and give. I am honored to be a part of the Greater Realtors® Foundation."

Ron Jasgur
Board of Directors

"Being an inaugural Director of the Greater Realtors® Foundation allowed me a meaningful way to give back to our local industry while making a significant impact in the lives of those in the communities we serve. I’m proud that future generations of local Realtors® will be able to take significant pride in the role the Foundation will play in local charitable causes for years to come"

Eligibility Requirements

Any present member who has maintained membership in good standing for at least 12 consecutive months preceding the application.
Please read the GRF - Grant and Benevolent Fund Guidelines.

Guidelines

Disbursement of Funds

The applicant will be notified by staff of decision.  If approved, checks will be sent to the vendors to whom the applicant owes money. No money is ever given directly to the applicant. If you have any questions, please contact Caryn MacDonald at (248) 478-1700 or email Caryn@gmaronline.com

Shades of Pink Foundation

OUR CURRENT CHARITABLE CAMPAIGN

As part of its commitment to philanthropy, GMAR partners with a local organization to support fundraising and events. This year, the Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS® has partnered with Shades of Pink Foundation.

Shades of Pink Foundation (SOPF) was founded in 2005 as a result of a conversation among a breast cancer surgeon, a friend, and a patient. The combination of treatment-related costs and daily living expenses were causing tremendous financial stress for the patient and her family.  The physical and emotional toll of breast cancer is well known.  The financial impact of the diagnosis is not.  The patient feared losing her home because of the financial burden. That conversation resulted in a plan that created Shades of Pink Foundation.  The ‘Walk at the Zoo’ annual walk has been the cornerstone to bring awareness of SOPF and to solicit donors and sponsorships. It continues as SOPF’s signature event drawing more than 1,000 supporters, survivors, families, friends, and caregivers to the zoo for an emotional, fun, and memorable experience.

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DONATION METHODS

The Greater Realtors® Foundation offers a variety of methods to contribute and donate to our charities. Every penny counts! For direct donations, PayPal is the preferred method.

The History and Establishment of the Greater Realtors® Foundation

Hundreds of amazing feats start with an idea. The Greater Realtors® Foundation is one of them. The Foundation has a history...a seed planted that grew into a wonderful, functioning charity with the intent of helping Realtors® and their families that may be in need.