Following a successful spring fundraising effort, Chicago-based Related Realty teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Chicago last month to help build a single-family home in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood. The June event marked the residential brokerage’s second home build through its partnership with Giveback Homes, a California-based social good company that connects real estate professionals and nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity to construct residences and organize fundraisers for families in need.
“As Chicago-based brokers and engaged citizens, we have a responsibility to positively contribute to our city and the individual neighborhoods that make Chicago such an exciting place to live,” said Patrick Ryan, senior vice president and managing broker at Related Realty. “We are proud to use our time, talents and resources to transform lives and improve communities.”
Related Realty earned the opportunity to participate in the Pullman build through a successful one-day fundraising event its brokers hosted in May at SoulCycle, which is owned by The Related Companies. The charitable ride tied the national record for a one-day Giveback Homes fundraising effort, raising a total of $5,000. Additional funds were raised by Related Realty brokers, allowing the firm to fund a home build in Mexico through Amor, a San Diego-based not-for-profit organization that hosts international builds for families in need. Related Realty brokers also helped provide clean water to more than 5,000 people in El Salvador by funding the purchase of 50 water filters through California-based Waves 4 Water. The initiative has since reached its goal of sponsoring 100 filters.
Gary Richter, a broker at Related Realty, was one of the first real estate professionals to sign up when Giveback Homes launched in Chicago in early 2016. Today, Related Realty ranks second in the nation for total fundraising efforts among Giveback Homes’ brokerage clients, with Richter and other Related Realty brokers donating a portion of their commissions to the organization to sponsor the construction of new homes, some of which they help build.
“It’s so exciting and rewarding to see our efforts having a positive impact for families in need – both at home and abroad,” said Richter. “We want to inspire more real estate professionals in Chicago and throughout the country to join the cause, using proceeds from the homes they sell to create new homes for individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford them.”
In order to expand its fundraising efforts, Related Realty is also working with digital marketing agency Adwerx. The brokerage recently launched a one-year “Agents of Change” ad campaign through Adwerx, which provides the opportunity for every Related Realty broker to highlight philanthropic efforts on both the corporate and individual level. Related Realty is the only brokerage in the country doing a program of this kind with Giveback Homes and Adwerx, and 10 percent of the campaign’s value is donated to Giveback Homes.
About Related Realty:
Related Realty, the residential brokerage division of Related Midwest, is an affiliate of The Related Companies, the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States. A full-service brokerage that is home to Chicago’s top-producing agents, Related Realty strives to uphold Related’s reputation for excellence, building on the company’s 40-year history as a global lifestyle firm defined by innovation in all aspects of design, development, service and wellness. The expertise of Related Realty’s agents, along with the firm’s industry-leading standards and deep knowledge of the Chicago market, allow Related Realty to deliver unparalleled service throughout all stages of the transaction, ensuring the highest level of client satisfaction.
A group of Related Realty brokers helped build a single-family home in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood last month.