Community Outreach^A

Champion Industry Issues with Community Outreach Grants and Services

NAR’s Community Outreach program works to position REALTORS® as leaders and collaborators, working through their associations, to build better communities. State and local REALTOR® associations can choose from five different Community Outreach grants, technical assistance and numerous resources to match their affordable housing, fair housing, community planning and development, placemaking and rural-related advocacy, education and engagement objectives.

Take action with help from a Community Outreach Grant

State and local REALTOR associations may apply for a Community Outreach Grant –Housing Opportunity, Smart Growth, Placemaking, Rural Outreach and Fair Housing – to support a wide variety of community development and fair housing advocacy, engagement and education efforts. Grant applications are available in easy-to-access online application forms (login required). All grants offer a level 1 (up to $3,00) and level 2 (up to $7,500). Housing Opportunity and Smart Growth offer a level 3 (up to $15,000). Associations may receive one grant per level each year. Please note that under Right Tools, Right Now for associations, the 10% financial commitment requirement is waived in 2023. For inspiration, take time to explore grant toolkits and association success stories.

Customizable Community Outreach Resource Brochure for State and Local REALTOR Associations

Customize the Community Outreach Resource Brochure (8.5 x 11, trifold, power point) to share with government officials and staff on ways to work with your association to leverage Community Outreach Grants to address community development and fair housing initiatives. Review the Community Outreach Resource Brochure Instruction Guide and customize to include your association’s mission statement, advocacy priorities, and contact info.

NAR Community Outreach Promotional Video

Use the Land Use Initiative to Support Your Advocacy Efforts

As a community leader, your association helps to create a positive real estate and business environment for your members and community. Often proposals that may do harm arise quickly and require expert analysis. The Land Use Initiative will analyze and provide talking points for proposed legislative and regulatory land-use, and real estate transactional, measures – comprehensive plans, amendments, legislation, ordinances or regulations – that impact the transfer of property and/or the interests of REALTORS®.

Get the Facts on Modern Growth Management Techniques

The Growth Management Fact Book provides a comprehensive look at modern growth management techniques, such as urban growth boundaries, housing moratoria, adequate public facilities and cluster zoning, to help REALTOR Associations stay informed and develop well-reasoned policy positions to advance growth-related issue priorities. A recent update now includes the latest on parking reform trends, planning for equity models, missing middle housing strategies and links to NAR resources on all topics.

Tackle Top-of-Mind Real Estate Issues with Transforming Neighborhoods

Is your association interested in addressing challenges such as commercial disinvestment, housing gaps, brownfield reuse, natural disaster response, and other real estate challenges? Through Transforming Neighborhoods, local associations can apply to receive expert analysis, plans and actionable recommendations via the Counselors of Real Estate® (CRE) Consulting Corps.

Leverage the State & Local Polling Program to Advance Growth Priorities

The State and Local Growth Polling program offers REALTOR® Associations the opportunity to conduct polling on growth-related issues in their areas. The program introduces state and local associations to NAR’s public opinion firm in order to perform a survey on the opinions of the local or state residents concerning growth. The surveys, generally of 400 registered voters living in the defined area, can be used as a powerful tool to focus the opinions of your community for local and state government officials.

Use On Common Ground to Open Doors to Smart Growth

Published twice a year (May and November), On Common Ground magazine presents a wide range of views on smart growth issues, with the goal of encouraging a dialogue among REALTORS, elected officials and other stakeholders. State and local REALTOR associations may order bulk amounts of the magazine to use as a great leave-behind when visiting local officials or provide NAR with a mailing list and leave the delivery to us.

Need Ideas on how a Community Outreach Grant or Program can Support Advocacy Efforts? Sign-up for a Community Outreach Virtual Planning Session

State and Local Associations are invited to schedule one-on-one sessions (link is external) via Zoom with Community Outreach Staff to brainstorm ways to address affordable housing challenges, community planning and development issues, revitalization opportunities and fair housing education using Community Outreach Grants and Resources. Overview of critical steps to success for developing grant ideas, accessing resources and writing a compelling application provided.

If you need more information about these programs contact: