Annual HIF Summit breaks fundraising record in fight against homelessness

San Mateo, Calif. – When the room finally cleared and the tally was counted, supporters of the Housing Industry Foundation set another record in their mission to combat homelessness in Silicon Valley. HIF’s annual Summit Dinner raised over $710,000 last Thursday in Burlingame, where over 850 people working in the apartment industry gathered to raise money and awareness for HIF’s programs.

Attendance overwhelmed the Marriott Waterfront once again, as HIF’s members thanked its donors over cocktails and dinner, while the charity showcased the breadth of its reach, which has impacted over 2,600 individuals last year, and over 16,000 since the organization was founded in 1989.

The evening was marked by honor and remembrance, as HIF delivered its Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned real estate magnate and philanthropist George Marcus. HIF honored the memory of two supporters in the HIF community: long-time Board Member Rod Standard – for whom an annual giving program was renamed this year – as well as David Wright, a 12-year employee of Prometheus Real Estate Group. Prometheus was one of HIF’s Corporate Champions in March, recruiting crucial employee volunteers for an HIF shelter renovation at LifeMoves Julian Street Inn.

“This event demonstrated the strong relationship our industry shares with our peers,” said Deb DeMartini, HIF’s Board president. “We’re passionate about housing in our careers and in our philanthropy. We’re obsessive about helping our neighbors in need.”

In the last eight months, HIF has assisted 253 low-income households threatened with homelessness by paying their rent, utilities, or a security deposit to help them remain in, or return to stable housing. The charity operates in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties and grant recipients are victims of a one-time, emergency cash crisis and must demonstrate their ability to meet future expenses. HIF also galvanizes the apartment industry to complete shelter renovations at no cost to the housing providers, using the construction and property management expertise of its supporters to make capital improvements that improve the lives of shelter residents – and the lifespan of the aging buildings themselves.

The Summit Dinner has been a Bay Area tradition for decades, bringing together real estate professionals from across California and even the country. In all, HIF counted 86 companies as sponsors this year, plus $230,000 in pledges on Summit night, including big donations from the California Apartment Association, Holland Partner Group, and George Marcus himself.

The total raised broke last year’s Summit record by $30,000, signaling that the apartment industry stands by to assist in the face of a housing shortage for Silicon Valley’s most vulnerable residents. There wasn’t a dry eye in the banquet hall as former grant recipient, Christy Garcia, recounted how HIF allowed her to remain in stable housing with her two young children. A $1000 grant from HIF helped her stay afloat and in a safe home during a stressful time in which she had lost her job. Back on her feet, Garcia now gives back regularly to the HIF community that saved her from a personal housing crisis four years ago.

“An unstable housing situation often comes unexpectedly,” said DeMartini. “We provide a bridge between crisis and self-sufficiency when no other group does.” The charity’s modest structure allows it to direct 100% of outside donations toward its programs, and avoid diverting much needed funds to administrative overhead.

In addition to being HIF’s primary fundraiser, the annual gala has become a magnet for apartment business networking and sells out months in advance. This year, HIF took the occasion to thank Meta Townsley, its outgoing executive director, for her years of impact and dedication to the organization. DeMartini also introduced the newly appointed Robert Freiri, whose decades of experience with Bay Area charities looks to expand HIF’s helpful reach in the coming years.

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All Photos by Daniel Gaines Photography

Contact: Jenna Whisler, Development & Marketing Coordinator, Housing Industry Foundation

jenna@HIFinfo.org | 650-437-2980