The 500-member Missoula Organization of REALTORSĀ® put a placemaking grant, as well as their muscle-power, to work to bring an all-abilities playground to their cityās McCormick Park. The NAR grant, along with funds of their own and another community grant helped to pay for the playground that features rubberized surfaces, a sensory play area, and specialized equipment like a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. Volunteers worked with professional contractors to build it.
Washington State REALTORSĀ® Fight Two Tax Proposals and Win!
When small businesses and second home owners became targets for major tax hikes in their state, Washington REALTORSĀ® jumped into action. Through a multi-faceted campaign called āRecover Washingtonā the 17,500-member association was able to defeat a 20 percent increase in the gross receipts tax paid by REALTORSĀ®, as well as a 7 percent capital gains tax on investment properties and second homes.
Advocacy and Teamwork Help Minnesota Association Protect Mortgage Interest Deduction
When a $4 billion budget deficit made the mortgage interest deduction a target, the Minnesota Association of REALTORSĀ® faced an uphill battle. But through the Minnesota Home Matters campaign, the 17,000-member association used key partnerships, coalition-building and an effective independent expenditure campaign to garner statewide support to change proposed legislation and protect the deduction while creating a culture of advocacy.
Nebraska REALTORSĀ® Embrace NARās Online Fundraising ProgramāGrowing RPAC Participation and Receipts
The 4,000-member Nebraska Association of REALTORSĀ® signed on as one of the first of 38 state and local associations to embrace NAR's online RPAC fundraising system. In 2012, its first year up and running with the system, Nebraska raised just $750 online for RPAC. In 2013, however, they raised over $18,500: 105 percent of their Fair Share Goal. In the past, Nebraska would send out one standard RPAC fundraising appeal, annually. Now, it participates in five online campaigns throughout the year, tailored to different populations and with each message building on the previous one.
And the 2018 President’s Cup Winners are…
Congratulations to the 17 state associations who have won the 2018 President’s Cup Award!Ā The Presidentās Cup recognizes the hard work state REALTORĀ® leaders and association staff perform to advance the REALTORĀ® Party by meeting 10 goalsĀ ā five advocacy and five RPAC. The Presidentās Cup will be presented in May at the 2019 REALTORSĀ® Legislative Meeting & Trade Expo. State Winners Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Missouri Nebraska New Mexico Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia Wyoming View the 2018 President’s Cup Report (updated 12/31/2018).
Kentucky REALTORSĀ® Help Elect Three Champions to the State House and Put Polling to Use in Tax Reform Battle
Twice last fall, three real-estate-friendly candidates running to keep their seats in the Kentucky State House found happy surprises in their mailboxes: direct mail pieces endorsing them, but not paid for by their own campaigns. Thanks to Independent Expenditure Grants from NAR, the 8,680-member Kentucky Association of REALTORSĀ® (KAR) was able to help all three REALTORĀ® Champions win their bids for re-election. Then, in a tax-form battle, KAR utilized NARās polling services to help make a persuasive case for saving the mortgage interest deduction in a Rally for Home Owners at the state house.
St Louis Association Responds to Ferguson Violence and Unrest with Innovative Fair Housing Campaign
As the nation was riveted by the violence that followed the Ferguson shooting last summer, relief for the riot-torn suburb of St Louis came from the local REALTOR organization. The 6,600-member St. Louis Association of REALTORSĀ® first helped with deliveries of basic supplies to the citizens of Ferguson.
Springfield (MO) REALTORSĀ® Help Restore Beloved City Park to Former Glory ā and Then Some
The 1,718-member Greater Springfield (MO) Board of REALTORSĀ® was keen to show that they truly cared about their community. They found that opportunity by helping to restore the cityās beloved 31-acre Phelps Grove Park after a major ice storm had damaged much of its landscape. With an NAR placemaking grant, they not only helped to bring the park back to life, but they also added a patio at the intersection of several of the parkās walking paths, enhanced by two handsome stone benches bearing the boardās name.
And the 2018 Triple Crown Winners are…
Congratulations to the 24 state associations that have won the 2018 Triple Crown Award!Ā The Triple Crown recognizes the hard work of state REALTORĀ® leaders and association staff perform to meet their state-specific RPAC goals during the current fundraising year (Jan 1ā Dec 31 annually). The Triple Crown will be presented in May at the 2019 REALTORSĀ® Legislative Meeting & Trade Expo. Colorado District of Columbia Georgia Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Nebraska New Mexico Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S.Ā Virgin Islands Utah West Virginia Wyoming View the final state 2018 Triple Crown...
Chattanooga REALTORSĀ® Contribute Funds and Resources to 40-Year Regional Growth Plan
The Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORSĀ® recently donated itās $10,000 Smart Growth Grant from NAR to support a 40-year growth planning process involving 16 counties in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. An array of area organizations and businesses are working with the local governments to develop a framework for managing future growth in the areaās economic, environmental, educational, residential and commercial sectors.