LANDMARK FOUNDATION

A Heart of Giving

Since its founding in 2005, Landmark Title has come to be known as one of Florida’s most well-respected and reliable title brands. Landmark Title’s motto is, appropriately, “Helping real estate agents succeed, and buyers and sellers close with confidence.” While getting real estate deals closed is the company’s primary business model, they are doing much more to impact their community.

Founded in 2018, the Landmark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of the citizens in the community through three primary modes: donating funds to local charitable causes, performing home improvement projects for low-income homeowners, and providing affordable housing through the Foundation’s Homeownership Initiative.

Landmark Title donates ten dollars from the proceeds of every closing, resulting in over $328,000 donated through closings and other fundraising events since the Foundation’s inception. Many of the charitable causes the Landmark Foundation donates to are near and dear to their clients and agent partners.

The Landmark Foundation’s Homeownership Initiative “provides quality, affordable housing to individuals and families in need of an affordable mortgage.” The Foundation rehabilitates homes in northeast Florida to like-new condition by partnering with local companies, banks and community volunteers.

“The Foundation was born by the owner of our company, David Heekin. He has a charitable heart and wants to give back. This is his way of doing that,” Executive Director Nicole Caroll explains.

Nicole began with Landmark shortly after the Foundation was started five years ago and has overseen the growth of the company’s charitable arm. Now, her goal is to continue expanding the program and impacting the lives of more individuals and families.

“We’re definitely expanding,” she says. “Our goal for the Homeownership Initiative is eventually to get to one house a month. And then we also plan to grow how we can give back. We have a lot of people who reach out who live in dilapidated homes and need assistance with various home improvement projects.”

One of the ways REALTORS® and other real estate professionals can get involved is through the Landmark

Development

Landmark has always operated under the philosophy that if we care enough, the closings will take care of themselves, and that is as true today as it was when we started Landmark almost two decades ago.

-DAVID HEEKIN, OWNER

Foundation’s wheelchair ramp builds. The Foundation also welcomes extra hands on deck during some stages of the Homeownership Initiative. Landmark brings general contractors on board so that agents and other volunteers can simply show up and help — no skills or experience necessary.

“We do a demo day when we first acquire the house, then do a landscaping and cleaning day when the house is almost completed,” Nicole explains. “During our wheelchair ramp builds, we have volunteers that come out, comprised of REALTORS®, mortgage pros, and other real estate professionals. We provide breakfast and lunch and all the tools they need, so people can just show up.

“Cindy Browning McCahill and Justin McCahill are two of our REALTOR® partners who devote their time and talent for low to no charge for each house rehab project. They own MAC Home Development and specialize in remodeling homes. Cindy handles all of the remodeling, whereas Justin is our REALTOR®. We could not do what we do without them. Their expertise and dedication to our mission is one of the reasons we are able to serve so many people.”

Lenders also offer resources and special grant programs to assist buyers. Some of the programs utilized are H2H, bond programs, and Home Possible loans.

Nicole also welcomes REALTORS® to share charities they are passionate about or fundraisers they are running. The Landmark Foundation is always looking for new ways to support the community.

As owner David Heekin says, “Landmark has always operated under the philosophy that if we care enough, the closings will take care of themselves, and that is as true today as it was when we started Landmark almost two decades ago.”

For more information, visit www.landmarktitle.com or contact Nicole Carroll directly at nicole.carroll@landmarktitle.com.