Florida Realtors^®: Realtor Giving, Volunteering On the Rise

The 2024 Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report provides insight into the monetary and volunteer contributions of Realtors, broker-owners and association executives (AEs) of local Realtor associations or Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) staff in 2023.

Monthly volunteering and annual monetary donations by Realtors both increased this past year, demonstrating Realtors’ continued dedication to giving back.

Monetary contributions from brokers and Realtor associations also increased or remained strong last year. The typical amount donated annually was $1,000 (compared to $800 in 2022). General members at large who donated annually gave a median of $1,200, which was identical to 2022.

Nearly seven out of 10 (69%) Realtor members at large volunteered monthly, spending an average of eight hours volunteering each month, which is an increase from 66% in 2022. Eighty-six percent of Realtor members at large made donations last year, a jump up from 79% in 2022.

Among broker-owners, 73% volunteered their time each month, a small decline from 77% in 2022. Broker donation amounts remain strong. The typical amount donated annually by all broker-owners increased this year to $2,400 (compared to $2,300 in 2022), and the annual donation amount among contributing broker-owners held steady at $3,000.

Sixty percent of AEs or MLS staff volunteered monthly, and 92% made personal donations in 2023, up from 87% in 2022. Ninety-seven percent of AEs or MLS staff said that their associations hold events that encourage their members to volunteer.

NAR is celebrating the 25th year of its Good Neighbor Awards, which recognize Realtors who have made an extraordinary impact on their community through volunteer work. To date, the Good Neighbors have raised and donated $1.47 billion for charitable causes. Since 2000, nearly 240 recipients have served people in need in 43 states and 17 countries.

“Volunteerism indicates a strong commitment to community engagement and social responsibility,” said Deborah Miller, 2022 Good Neighbor Award finalist, a Realtor in Florida and real estate salesperson with Lakeland Homes. “As Realtors, we demonstrate a genuine dedication to making a positive impact beyond our professional duties. It reflects positively on our character, suggesting a sense of empathy, community awareness and a willingness to contribute to the well-being of the neighborhoods we serve.”

Over the past year, Realtors were most likely to have volunteered with food bank delivery/meals, a local school or a kids’ sports team. Eighty percent of respondents reported that community involvement is an important component of their business plan.

Ninety-eight percent of AE or MLS respondents’ associations held a fundraiser last year for nonprofits or charitable causes. The typical number of events hosted last year was four.