On January 12, severe storms rolled through central and east central Alabama on spawning deadly twisters, damaging straight line winds, and golf-ball size hail.  In their wake, they left property damage affecting hundreds of Alabamians. Ready to assist financially was the Alabama REALTORS® Foundation Disaster Relief Fund which provided $8,000 in storm damage relief. Similarly, in 2021, when long-track tornadoes struck Alabama, the foundation funded almost $17,000 in applications for relief.  Later that year, a hurricane brought storm surge and flooding to Alabama’s gulf coast.  The foundation answered the call funding nearly $30,000 for disaster relief applications.

The Disaster Relief Fund is one of three foundation missions. Using money provided by voluntary contributions, fundraising events, and proceeds from sales of the Voice of Real Estate specialty license plate, the Alabama REALTORS® Foundation also has a Benevolent Fund and an Education Scholarship Fund. 

The Alabama REALTORS® Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary of the Alabama Association of REALTORS® (AAR). Since its inception in 2021, the foundation has provided nearly $123,000 in financial support of its three missions:  to provide relief to victims of natural disasters; provide benevolence assistance to AAR members; and to provide post-secondary education scholarships to children and grandchildren of AAR members.

The Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance to members and their families during temporary periods of financial difficulty due to prolonged illness, catastrophic occurrence, accident, or death. It is available to any eligible REALTOR® or family member who is in need and meets the eligibility criteria. The fund provided more than $28,000 over the last three years to cover expenses related to medical needs, fire losses, and deaths.  

Perhaps the most rewarding mission is the Education Scholarship Fund that offers grants to children and grandchildren of active, licensed REALTOR® members. In 2022 and 2023, a total of 26 scholarships were awarded to students from all around the state totaling nearly $40,000. The Scholarship Fund reflects the commitment of the real estate industry to help provide a better quality of life for members and their families throughout the state. 

For more information about the Alabama REALTORS® Foundation or to donate, visit our webpage.