INAUGURAL YEAR OF THE RASM REALTORS® CHARITABLE FOUNDATION - ELEVATE Magazine

It’s often said that if you have a roof over your head and food on the table that you are blessed. Unfortunately, not everyone in our community has these blessings that many of us take for granted. Hardships come in all shapes and sizes, and if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that we need to check on each other often and support one another. Realtors® have a long history of generously volunteering and giving back, and are invested in communities where we live, work, and play. In the same way, RASM has long partnered with area organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties on countless charitable endeavors. As an Association and a collective body of professionals, we are dedicated to one another, and to the betterment of the communities that we call home. Giving back has been one of the primary goals of the Association in 2021. As such, RASM has dedicated much of the past year to the growth and overall success of the RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation (RRCF), the charitable arm of RASM.

Founded in December 2020, the RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, providing a tax-deductible method for members to contribute to RASM’s charitable efforts. As we enter the end of the RRCF’s inaugural year, RASM is proud to share the Foundation’s many accomplishments, and we are excited to see what we can all do together in the years ahead.

WHY START A FOUNDATION?

In late 2019, RASM management and leadership recognized a desire and willingness by our members to provide support and leadership to their communities through outreach initiatives, which required the formation of a charitable, tax-deductible organization. RRCF reflects the association’s long-term, continuing commitment to support initiatives, which enhanced the quality of life within Florida communities. There is no doubt that the need, interest, and desire to continue the promotion of Realtors® as knowledgeable, dedicated professionals who are concerned with the health of their community, is as necessary today as it will be in the future.

The RRCF was established to consolidate RASM’s charitable and community fundraising programs, thus bringing a greater impact in the Sarasota and Manatee region. The Foundation acts as the umbrella from which all RASM fundraising efforts and charitable offerings are covered. It allows RASM to broaden its reach in the community, doing more, for more people, both in the

community and within the Association. The overall mission of the RRCF is to enhance the quality of life and opportunities in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and support RASM members in need, through the direct gifts of RASM members.

“I’ve been passionate about getting this Foundation started, because there needed to be an opportunity for us to help more within our community, but also to help our own members,” said David Clapp, Managing Broker, RE/MAX Alliance Group, and RRCF President. “For example, we have members that have health insurance, but their coverage didn’t include surgeries or other major medical expenses. We’ve also had members that needed help in the past due to natural disasters, and there is a strong likelihood that we will face a major hurricane in our area that would impact our members in the future. RASM was not able to offer assistance to members in need. We needed a foundation to provide an outlet to help with members in crisis, whatever that might be. Having the Foundation gives us that opportunity and so much more.”

WHO DOES THE FOUNDATION SUPPORT?

RASM has a long history of partnering with not-forprofit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties such as Habitat for Humanity, Heroes Welcome Home, Harvest House, and the Everyday Blessings Springboard Program, to name a few. The Foundation will continue these charitable endeavors and more to enhance the quality of life in the community. Some of these recipients include:

• Continuation of (and offering more) scholarships for higher education for members of RASM, their immediate family, and community members.

• Charitable organizations tackling affordable housing, fighting homelessness, and providing emergency shelter in the event of natural disaster.

• Financial support for RASM members in crisis, such as a financial need resulting from the death of a REALTOR®, medical emergency, or a disaster.

REALTORS® CARE INAUGURAL FUNDRAISER

On August 12, the Class of 2021 RASM Leadership Institute hosted and organized the REALTORS® Care event, which formally launched the new RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. This inaugural fundraising event was held at the Art Ovation Hotel and featured a cocktail party, DJ, art installations, auctions, and more. This successful event raised nearly $32,000 to jump-start the foundation!

“The REALTORS® Care Event was such a fun and uplifting event,” said Denise Ricciotti, RASM Professional Development Manager. “The energy and enthusiasm were contagious. It was a room of people who were selflessly and sincerely focused on raising as much money as possible to jump-start the Foundation. I am so grateful for the turnout and monies raised; and I’m proud of the Leadership Institute participants for their dedication in making it a success.”

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION IN 2021

The process of establishing the Foundation was not a simple task. A great deal of behind-the-scenes work occurred this year to ensure the process went smoothly and without any hiccups. RASM management was tasked with applying for and receiving a 501c3 tax exemption status from the IRS. This was an exhaustive application process, which required legal counsel’s assistance with the preparation of IRS Form 1023.

“Applying for 501c3 status was one of the most complex and intense tasks involved in establishing the Foundation,” said Jeff Arakelian, RASM CEO and RRCF Corporate Secretary. “RASM management worked tirelessly to make this happen as quickly as possible. Part of the application involved forecasting the revenue and expenses for the next 3 years. Once completed and submitted, the IRS needed approximately 6 months to process and render the tax exemption determination, which RASM did receive.”

The next task in the formation of the Foundation, which was significantly less laborious, was the establishment of the Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors was easy to establish,” said Arakelian. “Given the organizational work required, we thought it made perfect sense to tap the RASM Executive Committee to serve as the Foundation Board of Directors and the RASM Past President would serve as President of the Foundation.”

The first task for the new BOD was the creation of the Donor Program, which was first initiated by the Scholarship Committee. As with all RASM fundraising and charitable endeavors, the Scholarship Committee now falls under the umbrella of the Foundation. The Donor Program is an ongoing fundraising recognition program for individuals or companies to donate to the Foundation and be recognized.

“A great deal of effort went into determining the donation levels and associated benefits and then the tracking systems to accurately acknowledge a donor’s on-going contributions during the year,” said Arakelian. “I am immensely proud of the work that has gone into ensuring the success of the Foundation.”

Knowing that the Foundation needed to establish ongoing fundraising programs, the next step was the need for the Board of Directors to authorize the formation of an RRCF Fundraising Committee, which is chaired by Amy Worth. Once authorized, the challenge was finding the right mix of volunteer leaders to serve.

“The committee has already established fundraising programs approved by the BOD,” added Arakelian. “This committee has hit the ground running with fabulous ideas to raise funds and camaraderie among our members.”

FUTURE GIVING & FUN WAYS TO BECOME A DONOR

“The RRCF Fundraising Committee just started meeting about three months ago, and we are already working hard to establish new and meaningful ways for our members to donate,” said Amy Worth, Broker Associate, RE/MAX Platinum Realty, and Chair of theRRCF Fundraising Committee.

Through the new “Buy a Brick Fundraiser” campaign, the RRCF will be selling engraved bricks at both the RASM South and North office locations. The bricks will be installed on the walkway as you enter for both locations.

“Our members can help ‘pave the way’ for the Foundation by becoming a permanent part of the walkway at both RASM office locations,” said Worth. “This fundraising effort gives our members a chance to leave a long-lasting legacy on the grounds of an organization that has given so much to our community over the past years. The fundraising goal for this project will be upwards of $200,000, which will go a long way towards enriching the lives of those in need.”

In addition, a second fundraising endeavor is in the works called “Realtor® Day: Name Your Game.” This multi-sports, annual event will involve several different events rolled into one. Current plans include a golf tournament, tennis tournament, pickleball tournament, bowling tournament, and a 5K fun run/walk. An ‘After Party’ event will follow to celebrate the winners of the tournaments.

“Our goal for the ‘Realtor® Day’ event is to have more than 500 members involved,” said Worth. “There will be something for everyone. Our fundraising goal for this event is $60,000, but it would be wonderful if we exceeded that amount. We want to be out in the community having fun, doing Florida activities while raising funds for worthy causes.”

The RRCF has also registered with AmazonSmile. Donating to the foundation through Amazon Smile is easy and does not add a fee to your purchases. With every transaction you make on Amazon.com, Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases directly to the Foundation. All you need to do is log in with this link to make a purchase, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/85- 4232393, and everything else is handled by Amazon.

DONOR PROGRAM

An additional way to contribute to the Foundation is through the Donor Program. There are several donor platforms available: Platinum Donor ($2,000 or more), Gold Donor ($1,000 - $1,999), Silver Donor ($250 - $999), (Bronze Donor $100 - $249), and a Donor level ($100). Each donor level comes with perks such as name recognition in RASM printed materials and the website, depending on the level of contribution. To learn more about our donation opportunities and benefits, visit www.myrasm.com/foundation. Your donation is 100% tax deductible. Checks can also be made out to RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. For more information, contact foundation@myrasm.com.

“I want to challenge agents to consider the Foundation for their year-end giving,” said Clapp. “There are different donor levels available, so there is something that fits multiple budgets that make contributing to the Foundation accessible to everyone.”

THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 PLATINUM DONORS:

• Bank of England

• Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC

• Brandy Coffey

• Jesse Sunday

• RE/MAX Alliance Group

“We are thrilled to be a platinum donor for the RASM REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. We are elated to support RASM with this wonderful initiative. We look forward to being a part of all the good this Foundation does and will do in the future. We hope to inspire other Realtors® to learn more about the Foundation. Realtors® really do care!” Brandy Coffey, Keller Williams Island Life Real Estate

“We are proud to support the RRCF and its mission toward making meaningful contributions to the communities where we work and live,” Peter Crowley, RE/MAX Alliance Group

“Berlin Patten Ebling is committed, both as a firm and as individuals, to making an impact on the communities in which we live and work, including working collaboratively with our neighbors to serve our communities. We are proud to be able to support the RRCF in giving back to the community and partnering with not-for-profit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” William C. McComb ESQ., Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC

“BOE is proud to be a part of this amazing group of community leaders. Being able to give back to the community that gives us so much is very special,” Dustin Meshberger, and Oday Marogi, Bank of England

“As a RASM staff member, it’s especially important to me to invest in the community which we serve. I am proud to support the RRCF and look forward to future opportunities to volunteer and contribute to its overall success,” Jesse Sunday, RASM

For a complete list of donors, visit: myrasm. com/foundation.

2021 FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dave Clapp, President

Alex Krumm, President-Elect

Tony Veldkamp, Vice President

Mike Bruno, Treasurer

Brian Tresidder, Director

Ex officio Jeff Arakelian, RASM CEO & RRCF Corporate Secretary