The money will go toward shelter-based organizations across the province, to help families find homes and get Canadians out of the cold in times of need
Ontario’s realtors are making a multi-million-dollar donation to support shelters across the province.
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) announced its commitment to providing a one-time $5 million grant to the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation (ORCF), an organization that supports shelter-based groups in the province.
“We have realtors in every community across the province. As a professional, we are one of the most active in trying to make a difference in our community,” said Sean Morrison, president at OREA. These shelter-based charities are in need of assistance, to help get people out of the cold and provide disaster relief, he added.
The grant will be used to grow the foundation’s invested capital fund and improve their ability to provide meaningful support to shelter’s across Ontario.
Each year, the ORCF helps families in need of emergency and permanent housing by working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Community Living and local shelters like A Place called Home, Out of the Cold, and the Unity Project to name a few.
They also have an express grant program, which helps shelter get funding quickly in emergency scenarios.
“If a shelter needs blankets immediately or emergency shelters need to be opened, they can apply for an express grant which can get them funding within 48 hours, if needed,” said Morrison.
In 2019 alone, the Foundation raised more than $1.2 million for shelter-based organizations throughout the province on behalf of Ontario realtors.
Giving back to the communities that they live and work in is important to realtors, said Morrison.
“These people are out in their communities, on the ice rink coaching your kids, helping in local soup kitchens or being a part of our great Ontario Realtors Care Foundation. There’s more to realtors than just buying and selling homes.”
A home is important to any family, so being able to provide Canadians who may need a warm place to rest through this donation is something that is very meaningful to everyone who’s made this donation possible, said Morrison.
