From large organizations to small donation boxes, each and every market offers opportunities to give back to your community. Working with local charities can benefit your real estate business and help you position yourself as a go-to local expert in many ways.
Charities, both large and small, often have strong followings and supporters who may not know about your business. Tap into their audiences to gain exposure for your brand as well as learning the needs of those who live in and around your market. Not only will this showcase how much you care about those around you, it also projects a goal other than just making a profit.
Partnering with a charity can also help expand your client base. Meeting other local business owners, vendors, community leaders and residents opens up a wide net for potential clients. Some may even choose to work with you over another agent simply because of your association with a particular charity or foundation. Just be sure that when you work with charities, especially in your local community, you are authentic and show your real passion.
“Helping our community and giving back is one of the most important missions we take on as community leaders,” says Merrill.
“Our team is affiliated with, as well as sponsors and donates to, multiple local charities for a variety of different causes, including care for seniors, veterans, families and children, as well as homelessness, foster care and families on welfare,” says Merrill. “We also help future generations of the community through charities that provide scholarships and leadership to young kids.”
Relationships for Merrill’s team vary depending on the charity’s needs. Some may benefit from marketing and exposure, while others benefit more from volunteer work and hands-on assistance. Through these relationships, Merrill and her team are able to learn what the biggest needs are in their community and, in turn, help them fill and/or find ways to support them.
“When you utilize your ability to create business not just for yourself, but for the greater good, you help make the world a better place,” says Merrill. “This creates a ripple effect that brings you more business, because what you are creating is not just benefiting you.”
For Tran, working with charities is something she is very familiar with. Over the past six years, she has volunteered and supported Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ The Charitable Foundation through activities such as providing lunches to nurses and doctors throughout the pandemic, donating clothing to abused women and children, and even chairing events to raise funds for homeless seniors, veterans and families in Orange County.
“I add these events to my social media pages and marketing materials to get the community involved and provide an outlet to give back in the causes they feel close to,” she says. “Because I am their trusted REALTOR®, they often feel the desire to get involved or donate. At the end of the day, I am able to bring awareness to these meaningful causes, and it feels great.”
In 2022, after nearly six years of service, Tran served as chapter president for the Orange County Chapter of The Charitable Foundation, which has donated over $7 million to local charities through agent contributions. Agents who donate per transaction toward the foundation are made members who can then advertise their participation in their marketing.
“I am a big believer in giving more than you receive,” says Tran. “When we give something or do something for others, it creates a sense of satisfaction and positivity.”
Involvement and partnerships with local charities can lead to opportunities to network and meet other professionals. By participating in or hosting charity events and initiatives in your market, you can connect with other business owners, community leaders and potential clients. These connections can be valuable for growing your business and expanding your reach in your community.
Markowitz is extremely passionate about the charity work she and her company are involved in.
“Every one of our offices has charity representatives, and I am one of them,” she says. “One of the events that the company does every year is a huge backpack drive that benefits Cradles to Crayons. The first or second year that my team did this event, we reached out to local businesses asking if they would like to sponsor. It’s a great community event and draws so many people. It’s a way to give a lot of local businesses the opportunity to say ‘yes.’”
In addition to their annual backpack event, Markowitz and the Fox & Roach REALTORS® team also work with a local food pantry, the Emergency Relief Association of Levittown, who they collected hand warmers and socks for, as well as over 300 pounds of food, in 2022. Their office also hosts an annual pie event the Tuesday before Thanksgiving where they offer free pies, inviting local businesses and vendors to bring items.
“Being a REALTOR® is wonderful, and I love what I do,” says Markowitz, “but I think being a caring person is even more valuable. People want to know you care before they care what you know.”
Shapiro and her team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwood Realty are also dedicated to helping their community through charitable events. From hosting Toys for Tots donation events to sponsoring local families around the holiday season, she is constantly involved in charity work.
“These are things we are known for in our community,” says Shapiro, who offers some of her personal strategies when it comes to working with local charities:
- Follow your passion. “I frequently volunteer at the local food pantry, which helps me understand the needs of my community.”
- Immerse yourself as a local. “I personally own rental properties and enjoy doing home repairs and renovations. I have partnered with Habitat for Humanity because it allows me to take part in helping others, and it is a great learning experience.”
- Join a local board. “I am on the board of assessors in my town, which is a volunteer role, and it allows me to learn even more about my community.”
Working with local charities is not only a great way to give back to your community, but also demonstrate your commitment to the community and its residents. By building relationships with local charities and foundations, you will increase your visibility, improve your reputation as the go-to local expert, and open up valuable networking and partnership opportunities.
