RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation: 2023 Annual Report

The RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation (RRCF) is the 501c3 charitable arm of RASM, providing funding for individuals and not-for-profit organizations in order to contribute to the future of homeownership, education, and financial security for all.

The RRCF contributes to three key areas:

• Housing-focused non-profits in the two-county region.
• College scholarships for members or their immediate family members and the community.
• Financial support for RASM members in crisis, such as medical emergencies or hurricane relief.

In its third full year since its establishment in 2020, the RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation has grown significantly in 2023, focusing heavily on increasing our capacity to contribute financially to more members and non-profits in our community.

MISSION

To support real estate-related charities and housing needs in our community, provide college scholarships to local students, and help our members in need during times of crisis.

STRATEGIC PLAN

The four main focuses of the RRCF’s Strategic Plan are to:

1. Impact our Community: Increase support to our community through impactful donations and partnerships that support our three areas of focus.
2. Increase Funds: Increase our capacity for giving through the fundraising efforts within the Association and the RRCF Fundraising Committee.
3. Donor Relations: Grow and engage our community of donors by building meaningful relationships and recognizing their support within the community.
4. Organizational Excellence: Advance our Foundation’s operational excellence through administrative systems and brand communications.

2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT

DONATIONS GRANTED*

In 2023, the RRCF contributed more than $119,000 to our collective, three-pronged mission.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year, the Foundation Scholarship Committee awards scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each. These scholarships help our local students and the parents and grandparents who are members of the Association.

In 2023, the RRCF awarded 20 scholarships to local students for a total of $40,000, the most in RASM’s scholarship program history.

2023 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

• Angelicia Anderson
• Aidan Argueta
• Carissa Bailey
• Kali Brown
• Briana Cochran
• Alyssa Collier
• Reese Davids
• Madilyn Gemme.
• Olivia Heim
• Lily V. Johns
• Olivya Johns
• Oliwia Lubinska
• Logan Machenheimer
• Fabian Tlaloc Ortega
• Reese Riley
• Axa Salas
• Ty Smith
• Zoe Strom
• Layla Wade
• Skye van Gennip

HOUSING-RELATED CHARITIES

In the state of Florida, over 1.2 million low-income households pay more than half their income towards housing. Florida also has the third-largest homeless population in the United States, with over 27,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness. As housing experts, it’s a natural fit for the RRCF to support non-profit organizations that create homeownership opportunities and help bring stability into the lives of those in need.

This year, the RRCF has contributed more than $75,161 to local charities through the association’s fundraising events, a brand-new grant initiative, and other approved donations. Early in 2023, $5,000 of this total was donated to Samaritan’s Purse for their hurricane recovery and relief efforts in the months following Hurricane Ian.

RRCF LAUNCHES NEW GRANT PROGRAM:

On a mission to make a greater impact in the community, the RRCF launched a Grants Task Force this year to help identify and encourage local housingfocused non-profits to apply for a grant. These organizations are making a significant impact in our local communities, and the grants awarded will further their missions and support their requested projects. Awarding more than $37,300 in grants, the 2023-2024 grant recipients are:

• Everyday Blessings, Inc. Springboard - $4,800
• Habitat for Humanity Sarasota - $10,000
• HOPE Family Services - $5,000
• Manatee Children’s Services - $5,000
• Salvation Army of Manatee County - $2,500
• Salvation Army Sarasota - $5,000
• Second Heart Homes - $5,000

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

Another way we give back to local housing-related charities is through the various fundraising events we do throughout the year. With each fundraising event, 50% of proceeds are directed to the RRCF Beneficiary of the Committee’s choice. This year, the following organizations were recipients of event proceeds.

• Harvest House received $6,221 from the CREA Sporting Clays event.
• Everyday Blessings, Inc. Springboard Program received $14,640 from YPN’s Celebrity Bartending event.
• Manatee County Habitat for Humanity will receive $12,000 from CREA’s Golf Tournament.

RRCF BENEFICIARIES:

Once the RRCF Board of Directors has approved a housing-related 501c3 organization, they are eligible to be selected as a benefactor of one of RASM’s many fundraising events. Thanks to the Grants Task Force, new organizations were added to our list of beneficiaries. The list of approved charities are as follows:

• Everyday Blessings, Inc. Springboard Program
• Habitat for Humanity Sarasota
• HOPE Family Services*
• Manatee Children Services*
• Manatee Habitat for Humanity
• Salvation Army of Manatee County*
• Salvation Army Sarasota*
• Second Heart Homes
• SPARCC*

*New to the list in 2023.

MEMBERS IN NEED

The Foundation commits to supporting RASM members when they need it most by providing financial support for members in crisis, such as a financial need resulting from medical emergency, a hurricane, or another crisis. This year, the Foundation awarded $43,880 to members in need.

MONEY RAISED IN 2023

There are several ways that RASM members gave back to the Foundation in 2023, whether that’s through fundraising events, our buy-a-brick program, or donations from other fundraising initiatives. This year, the RRCF raised more than $174,167 to support our mission.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Fundraising efforts at the following RASM and RRCF events helped bring in $110,121 to the Foundation.

• The RRCF Fundraising Committee hosted the 2nd Annual REALTOR® Day: Name Your Game fundraiser where 100% of proceeds ($72,967) went directly to the RRCF.
• With the fundraising events where 50% of proceeds go to RRCF Beneficiaries, the other 50% goes directly to the Foundation. CREA’s Sporting Clays event brought in $6,221, YPN’s Celebrity Bartending contributed $14,640, and CREA’s Golf Tournament raised $12,000 for the RRCF.
• CREA’s Summer Social supported the RRCF, bringing in $1,330.
• At the RASM Conference & Expo in September, attendees helped “fund a need” by raising $2,149, enough for one college scholarship.
• RASM’s Business Partners hosted a Fall Tailgate in October with a Wine Toss game bringing in $814.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Another way that the RRCF generates income is through membership dues. With $4 allocated from the investment of each member, $36,788 has been collected for the Foundation as of August 2023. At the time of renewal, members also have the option of contributing a voluntary $20 donation which helped generate $17,076 from the 2023 membership renewals, for a combined total of $53,864.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Thanks to the incredible support of our members, $1,647 was raised from members who donated directly to support our cause.

BUY-A-BRICK CAMPAIGN

The RRCF has raised $8,535 in 2023 through the sale of donor bricks which pave the walkways at both RASM South and RASM North locations. Thank you to the donors who purchased a brick in 2023.

• Darcie Anderson
• Deborah Angelo-O’Mara
• Michael Baker
• Forest Balderson
• Gloria Brush
• Coy Carter
• Jody Carlson
• Tamara Cashi
• Shirley Dabringhaus
• Christina Dakin
• Penny Donald
• Ivan Gould
• Charlotte Griffin
• Geri Kenyon
• Brett Keyser
• Anita Lambert
• Scott Malouf
• Bob Massanova
• Marcia McLaughlin
• Julia Montei
• Linda Moore
• Cindy Jaramillo
• Gino Norman
• Mary Northrup
• Brian Partie
• Peter Pike
• Beverly Perez
• Carmello Pronesti
• Tony Veldkamp
• Stacie Velliquette
• Melinda Sanchez
• Douglas Stickler
• Michelle Ward
• Kimberly Weaver
• Robin Wentz
• Albert Wooster
• C. Clark & Associates
• Catalist Realty
• Class of 2023 Leadership Academy
• Hembree & Associates
• Stock Development

THANK YOU

RASM extends its deepest gratitude to our esteemed members for their unwavering dedication to the Foundation’s mission. The transformative impact we’ve achieved throughout the year is a direct result of the incredible generosity, both in terms of time and financial contributions, from our dedicated members. Your support is the cornerstone of the work we do in our community, and we are truly thankful for your ongoing commitment.

RRCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Tony Veldkamp, 2023 President
• Brian Tresidder, 2023 President-Elect
• Tony Barrett
• David Clapp
• David Crawford
• Alex Krumm
• Brian Partie
• Debi Reynolds

RRCF SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

• Monique Geathers, Chair
• Brigette Marcus, Vice Chair
• Mick McCalley
• Rachel Metcalfe
• Derek Patti
• Stacy Pierce
• Joyce Steward

RRCF GRANTS TASK FORCE

• Linda Formella, Chair
• Sharon Gould
• Kendra Johnston
• Rachel Metcalfe

RRCF FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

• Brian Partie, Chair
• Forest Balderson
• Jessica Bow
• Andrea Capek
• Charlotte Griffin
• Cindy Jaramillo
• David Kinnard
• Scott Malouf
• Mary Northrup
• Ann Rue
• Natasha Selvaraj
• Debbie Urban