EXIT Realty Corp. International, a real estate franchisor with brokerage operations throughout North America, today announced a pledge of $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity International bringing total pledges to-date to $3 Million.
EXIT Realty’s affiliation with the renowned non-profit organization kicked off in 2004 when the company sponsored its first home build in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since then the company has sponsored 18 additional home builds in Canada and the US and has participated in a community revitalization project and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 with the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Prospective home owners complete a rigorous vetting process and in most cases, make a $500 down payment. Additionally, they contribute 300 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home or someone else’s home. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.
Companies like EXIT Realty get involved by contributing not only money and materials but also thousands of volunteer hours to assist in fundraising and construction. “A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT Realty Corp. International is pledged to Habitat for Humanity and many of our associates, including myself, have volunteered for our various projects,” said Tami Bonnell, EXIT Realty’s CEO. “We believe, as Habitat does, in the importance of giving someone a hand up, not a hand out. Our company is all about empowering individuals to make better lives for themselves and their families and so is Habitat. The organization does tremendous work and we are proud to be affiliated with them.”
Details of EXIT Realty’s new matching program will be released soon, whereby EXIT Realty sales representatives and franchisees can become actively involved in fundraising for their local Habitat for Humanity chapter and apply to have those funds matched by EXIT’s pledged pool of funds.
About Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 5 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.
