In This Issue
- Important Deadlines: Stay ahead of upcoming deadlines, including grant reimbursements, nominations, and registration for Advocacy Week.
- Opportunities for Funding and Support: Associations are encouraged to apply for Consumer Advocacy Outreach Grants, leverage Community Outreach Grants, and utilize Issues Mobilization resources to address public policy challenges in 2025.
- New Advocacy Tools and Processes: Launching in January 2025, mark your calendars to explore the new Call for Action platform with Aristotle I360, ensuring smooth access for state and local associations to manage grassroots advocacy campaigns.
- RPAC Recognition: Verify lifetime giving records, submit RPAC Hall of Fame nominations, and ensure all 2024 contributions are sent by the deadline.
Dates to Remember
- Dec 13: Deadline to submit reimbursement for Community Outreach grants
- Dec 18: RPAC State & Individual Year-end Transmittal Deadline
- Dec 20: 2025 NAR Advocacy Priority Issues Survey Deadline
- Dec 23: Registration Deadline for Advocacy Week
- Jan 2: Advocacy Everywhere transitions to Aristotle I360 Platform
- Jan 8: Issues Mobilization Committee Meeting, 3 PM ET
- Jan 20: Deadline to request lifetime giving records for Hall of Fame
- Jan 23: Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board Meeting, 2 PM ET
- Jan 31: Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline
Chair’s Letter
Greetings GAD Nation!
December is here! If you’re like me, this is the time of year where you’re simultaneously wrapping up projects and planning or kickstarting initiatives for the coming year. It’s busy, exciting, and overwhelming all at once.
I highly recommend you include a grant strategy in your plans for next year. As an answer to feedback from local and state associations, NAR has opened the grant portals early. This means you can apply for funding to support initiatives you are launching in January! What a great way to start the year.
If you have a plan, a concept of a plan, or even just a desire to pursue funding for an initiative, it’s time to have a conversation! Reach out to the NAR team. They are eager to help, and eager to get these funds out the door.
Reach out to me as well, or a member of the AG, or a fellow colleague. I’m always eager to hear what others are working on, and to lend any advice I may have. The difference between a good initiative and a great initiative is innovation, a solid plan, collaboration, and lasting impact.
I wish all of you a successful end to the year and a joyful holiday season.
Lacey Everett
(317) 525-2234
laceyeverett@mibor.com
What You Need to Know to Wrap Up 2024
December 18, 2024 – RPAC Investment Transmittal Deadline
This is the last day to collect and send RPAC investments to NAR. Any investments made and sent after the 18th will count towards 2025 goals.
Questions? Contact Debbie Frey or Carlyle Smith.
2025 NAR Advocacy Priority Issues Survey Open until December 20
The 2025 NAR Advocacy Priority Issues survey is live. We’ve designed this survey to better understand your advocacy priorities and help shape ours for 2025.
Questions? Contact Drew Myers.
2025 Advocacy Week Registration is Open until December 23
Register for the 2025 Advocacy Week in Washington D.C. by December 23. Invited groups have received registration details. State AEs have two additional registrations available, which may be allocated to State GADs for attendance. If these registrations are not used for a GADs, State GADs have the option to register for the meeting at a fee of $199 and will be responsible for their own expenses.
Questions? Contact advocacyweek@nar.realtor.
GADFly Feedback for 2024
What worked, what was missing? Share your feedback on the 2024 editions of the GADFly.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Advocacy Everywhere Changes Effective January 2
Starting January 2, Advocacy Everywhere will use Aristotle’s 360 for REALTOR® Call for Actions. State association staff will have administrative access through 360, if Voter Voice administrative access existed. All previous CFA data, state and local, has been migrated to Aristotle.
State Association Next Steps: Today, state administrators will receive an email with final steps for action centers and to ensure appropriate access for staff. New access requests after December 19 will be updated by January 6.
Local Association Next Steps: Submit your request to view CFA metrics (aka CFA Report View) to ensure January 2 access. Any new access requests after December 19 will be updated by January 6.
Accessing the New Platform on January 2: Login to Aristotle 360, select the ‘Advocacy’ tab to view your CFA report or launch CFAs (state staff only). Watch a video overview of the new program (State | Local) and sign up for one-on-one training with Aristotle for in-depth instruction.
Questions? Contact Jami Sims.
January 31, 2025 – RPAC Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline
This is the last day to submit your RPAC Hall of Fame nomination forms for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024. the last day to request a REALTOR’S® lifetime giving history is Monday, January 20, 2025. Lifetime giving histories must be verified by NAR for nominations to be completed.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Nguyen.
Plan Now and Apply for a 2025 Consumer Advocacy Grant
The Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant offers your association the ability to apply for money up to $25,000 (with a 15% skin in the game requirement) to engage with consumers in your community and advocate for public policy issues that impact homeownership and property rights. The Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board hears requests each month via Zoom at 2pm ET. First quarter meeting dates are January 23 (during Advocacy Week), February 4, and March 4.
Questions? Contact Erin Murphy.
Prepare for your 2025 Issues Mobilization Requests
The meeting schedule of the State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee and due dates for draft applications to apply for a grant can be found here. Grants for $100,000 or less can be applied for through the committee’s weekly consent agenda process. Applications are due by COB on the previous Friday. There is a consent agenda every week except for the week of a committee meeting or a major holiday.
Questions? Contact John Winston.
Solve a Real Estate Challenge with NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods Program!
Starting December 1, local REALTOR® associations can apply to bring expert analysis from the Counselors of Real Estate’s Consulting Corps to their community. Whether reimagining a neighborhood, repurposing a brownfield, boosting economic development, or sparking commercial activity, now’s the time to engage stakeholders, set priorities, and prepare your proposal. Learn more. Applications are due by COB February 7, 2025.
Questions? Contact Samantha DeKoven (CRE) or Hugh Morris (NAR).
Leverage Community Outreach Grants in 2025!
Transform a vacant lot into a vibrant park or gathering spot to boost downtown vitality and foster economic growth. Address housing regulatory hurdles to establish a more inclusive neighborhood. Community Outreach Grants empower state and local REALTOR® associations to enhance communities, improve affordability and livability. Applications open from December 4th to October 15th 2025 (or until capacity is reached).
Questions? Contact Christine Windle.
Compliance Corner
2024 Recap
In 2024, we covered members of the solicitable class, what a solicitation is, and the use of social media.
Remember, RPAC solicitations can only be made to the solicitable class:
- REALTORS®
- Individual affiliate members of REALTOR® associations (subject to the association’s bylaws)
- Association executive and administrative staff
- Families of all 3 groups
A solicitation is any communication that encourages support of RPAC or facilitates the making of a contribution to RPAC.
When posting on a public social media site, it is essential to exercise caution regarding RPAC solicitations. Acceptable content includes a calendar of events, factual information, and official policy positions. Conversely, within a secure, member-only area, you are permitted to provide more comprehensive information regarding RPAC, including a “donate now” button.
Questions? Contact Darby Thorne, Director of Political Compliance.
Compliance Corner is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.
#ICYMI
NAR is providing the facts after a recent article in The New York Times mischaracterized a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that receives NAR funding. The association says the portrayal of the American Property Owners Alliance is not only biased but, at times, factually incorrect. Get the facts.
REALTOR® Party Playlist: Advocacy Scoop Podcast – That’s a Wrap, 2024
In the last episode of the season, Shannon and Patrick recap the extensive, yet captivating, list of Advocacy Wins for 2024.
NAR asked the FHFA to halt the recently announced expansion of the GSEs’ appraisal waiver programs in lieu of further analysis and public input.
Read FinCEN’s impact statement regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), and the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR).
Advocate for Stronger Flood Insurance Solutions
The future of flood insurance is in your hands. More than 10 million high-risk homes remain uninsured, leaving communities vulnerable. Join FEMA’s Jeff Jackson and NAR leaders to explore solutions to strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and ensure lasting protection. Equip your association to drive meaningful change and support your members and their clients. Watch now!
- Read Common Ground: Generational Housing – Fall Issue
Explore each generation’s needs for housing, transportation, and community living, including strategies from both sectors to meet these demands. Learn how mixing generations fosters vibrant, connected communities and the benefits of bringing people from different life stages together Read , subscribe and/or send to elected officials.
Questions? Contact Hugh Morris and Hannah Dannenfelser.
REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resources are highlighted in the REALTOR® Party Success Stories. December’s success stories include:
- Campaign by Greater Boston Real Estate Board Educates Public About Realities of Rent Control and Convinces Medford City Council to Reconsider
- Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® Deepens its Commitment to Addressing Housing Discrimination and Attainability
- Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS® Reaches Readers of Regional Publications to Demystify the Homebuying Process, Advocate for Local Assistance Programs
Celebrating GAD Achievements
Check out this wonderful video from Peter Christensen and Marianne Porter with Utah Central Association of REALTORS®, that highlights the value of being a REALTOR® and the impact the association’s advocacy has on the industry with a seasonal spin.
Submit your fellow GADs’ achievements here to be featured in the next edition of GADFly.
Upcoming NAR Events
Check out the list of events here to save the date for upcoming conferences.
2025 Advocacy Week | Washington D.C.
January 22-25, 2025 | Registration is now open (by invitation).
2025 AEI | Denver, CO
April 1 – 4, 2025 | Registration is open.
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