REALTORS® Charitable Foundation announces 2023 grant recipients; check presentation on October 24

SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, on behalf of area Realtors®, is pleased to announce its 2023 grant recipients: Minnesota Council on Economic Education, NeighborWorks Home Partners and YWCA St. Paul to receive a combined $75,000.

• Minnesota Council on Economic Education seeks to design and deliver a financial literacy education to young people for the future outcome of sound financial choices to improve individual and family outcomes. To do so, the nonprofit will train teachers in personal finance instruction. The goal is to build students’ financial knowledge and skills and empower them to set goals, plan, and become future homeowners.
• NeighborWorks Home Partners for their First Generation Downpayment Assistance Program. The nonprofit will take a lead role in the statewide first generation down payment program, launch a fee-based, zero interest down payment program and expand its current programs through community partnerships. With this work, it will prioritize families who are underserved by traditional providers to further the goal of homeownership.
• YWCA St. Paul to support its Housing and Supportive Services Programs that effectively and compassionately respond to the complex needs of individuals and families experiencing or at high risk of homelessness. YWCA St. Paul prepares participants for self-sufficiency with support that encompasses employment, stabilized housing and independent living.

“We’ve been excited to make a difference through grants in past years that have an impact to the greater communities, and we’re thrilled to extend our support this year to Minnesota Council on Economic Education, NeighborWorks Home Partners and YWCA St. Paul,” said Diana Allen, president of SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. “Great things happen when Realtors® get involved in their communities.”

The designated funds of the grant program support one or more key focus that include advocacy, community engagement, professional development and communications, also known as the four pillars of SPAAR, intended to help create Better Agents and Better Communities.

SPAAR and its REALTORS® Charitable Foundation have previously provided grants since 2018 to Bridging; Great River Greening; Housing First Minnesota Foundation; Mapping Prejudice; Meals from the Heart; Project for Pride in Living; Rondo Center for Diverse Expression; Rondo Avenue, Inc.; Safe Summer Nights; and The Sanneh Foundation.

REALTORS® Charitable Foundation will be hosting its annual check presentation to the grant recipients on Tuesday, October 24, at 11:30am at SPAAR. Members are welcome to attend.