Realtor Group Forms Charity To Help Community, Members In Crisis

SARASOTA, FL — The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee has created a new charitable arm, according to a RASM news release. The RASM Realtors Charitable Foundation will allow members and others to contribute to the association’s community work in Sarasota and Manatee counties. All contributions will be tax deductible.

The foundation consolidates RASM’s longstanding scholarship and community giving programs for greater impact and provides a way for the association’s members to help other members in financial difficulty, according to the news release.

The foundation provides funding for individuals and not-for-profit organizations in the Sarasota and Manatee area that enhance the quality of life in the community. This includes:

• Scholarships for higher education for members of RASM, their immediate family and local students,
• Charitable organizations related to housing or real estate and
• Financial support for association members in crisis.

“The new Foundation will provide focus for RASM’s longstanding involvement in charitable organizations, including those tackling affordable housing, fighting homelessness and providing emergency shelter in the event of natural disaster,” said Jeff Arakelian, RASM’s CEO and the foundation's executive director.

In recent years, RASM members have hosted fundraisers to support local charities like Habitat for Humanity, Heroes Welcome Home, Harvest House and the Everyday Blessings Springboard Program.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Sarasota newsletters and real-time email alerts.

The new foundation will also allow members to help other members.

“We have never had a way to rally our members together to financially help other members who have a special need,” said David Clapp, RASM president. “They have always had to look to outside organizations for support. The foundation can assist members through the generosity of RASM members.”

RASM encourages donations to the foundation as part of family year-end giving for 2020.

To donate, anyone can contribute by writing a check to RASM Realtors Charitable Foundation and mailing it to 2320 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232. Learn more about the foundation online here or contact Jeff Arakelian at foundation@myrasm.com.