WHAT IS THE CORPORATE ALLY PROGRAM?
The Corporate Ally Program (CAP) is a powerful partnership between the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and corporate allies aimed at protecting, promoting, and strengthening the real estate industry. With contributions from state and local REALTOR® associations, affiliates, Institutes, Societies, and Councils, as well as industry partners, CAP supports federal, state, and local advocacy campaigns and public policy priorities.
This innovative program makes it possible for the real estate corporate family to effectively join together and raise funds as a critical revenue source for advocacy efforts at every level of government. CAP is nonpartisan, addressing the most pressing issues facing the real estate community.
As the preeminent soft money program for the real estate industry, CAP has the funding and prestige to successfully push for and fight against issues that affect us all. NAR uses these voluntary investments to increase our presence in Washington, in state capitals and in town halls across the U.S and to fight for political results that favor our industry and its 1.4 million REALTORS®.
In 2023, nearly $4 million was invested in the Corporate Ally Program.
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Corporate Ally Program Overview
 Corporate Ally Program FAQs |
 Infographic: What is the Corporate Ally Program? |
By investing in CAP, you join other real estate stakeholders to protect mutual business interests and help shape and define our industry. No matter which sector of real estate you’re in, the Corporate Ally Program is your advocacy partner to protect your real-property interests—from Congress to state capitals to town halls across the U.S.
CAP is an investment tool that pays off in the form of targeted advocacy of real estate priorities rather than in traditional monetary returns. It recognizes the importance of participating in the political process to affect legislation and increases our influence in the political realm as corporate investments are put to work protecting, promoting, and strengthening our industry overall.
Your support increases NAR’s ability to impact policy and allows us to speak for the real estate industry in an engaging, powerful, and authentic way. And now, during these uncertain times, the strength of this partnership is more important than ever as we work together to safeguard the future of real estate in America.
Together our voices are louder, stronger, more powerful.
What do investors say about the benefits of contributing to CAP?
- Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS®
“CCIAOR invests in the Corporate Ally Program because we want to do our part to help further the industry. In addition, knowing that these funds can be used to leverage the REALTOR® Party to the fullest extent in our local communities is very beneficial.”Ryan Castle
Chief Executive Officer
Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS® & MLS - Bright MLS
“Participation in the Corporate Ally Program is one of the best ways possible to support causes that positively impact our industry on the national, regional, and local level.”Brian Donnellan
President and CEO
Bright MLS - Shorewest REALTORS®
“Shorewest REALTORS® supports the Corporate Ally Program, because we have seen a direct benefit of NAR’s advocacy work. From PPP and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to the Section 199A 20% pass-through deduction, our company and our agents have financially benefited from the advocacy supported by the Corporate Ally Program.”John P. Horning
Vice President
Shorewest REALTORS®
Who Invests In The Corporate Ally Program?
Most any corporate entity may invest in CAP, including:
- Multiple Listing Services (MLS)
- Real Estate and MLS business partners and advisors
- Real Estate Brokerages
- REALTOR Benefits® Partners
- State and Local REALTOR® associations
- Institutes, Societies, and Councils
Where Does My Investment Go?
Every investment in the Corporate Ally Program is put to work at all three levels of government to advocate for and support issues, candidates, or both. The chart below explains how various investments are used and what portion of the money is allocated for national initiatives vs. state and local programs.
| Program | Investors | How is $ used? | How is $ allocated? | Type of investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | Most any corporate entity | Funds federal advocacy campaigns and measures to support or defeat state and local REALTOR® Party issues | 50/50—50% for national initiatives & 50% for state/local initiatives | Soft $ |
| Candidates | Most any corporate entity | Supports Political Independent Expenditures | 50/50—50% for national initiatives and 50% for state/local initiatives | Soft $ |
| Political Advocacy Fund (PAF) | Most any corporate entity | Supports NAR’s Opportunity Race Program at the federal level, and meet and greets with Congressional candidates on the state and local level | 30/70—30% for national initiatives and 70% for state/local initiatives | Soft $ |
Join the fight in protecting the real estate industry. Invest today to create an advocacy partnership between the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and our extended real estate family.
First, choose from FIVE levels of recognition for investors:
- STERLING R: $1,000 – $2,499 annually
- CRYSTAL R: $2,500 – $4,999 annually
- GOLDEN R: $5,000 – $9,999 annually
- PLATINUM R: $10,000 – $24,999 annually
- PLATINUM DIAMOND R: $25,000+ annually
Next, depending on your priorities, you can choose to designate your investment in one of two ways:
ISSUES ADVOCACY
- 50% of your investment provides funding for federal issues advocacy campaigns
- 50% stays at home to support or defeat state and local REALTOR® Party issues
POLITICAL ADVOCACY FUND
- 30% of your investment funds NAR’s Opportunity Race Program at the federal level
- 70% is used at the state and local levels to host meet and greets with Congressional candidates in their home districts
Find out about the Corporate Ally Program Recognition Benefits for each level of investment.
Hard VS Soft Dollars
When investing in political campaign issues or candidates, it’s important to distinguish between hard money and soft money as both play an essential role in political advocacy and the rules governing the two types of contributions differ. In short, hard money are voluntary investments made by an individual directly to a PAC or candidate. Hard dollar contributions are heavily regulated, often prohibiting corporations from investing and limiting the amount that may be invested. Conversely, soft money carries fewer restrictions allowing most any source (corporations, associations, and individuals) to make investments in unlimited amounts.
NAR’s REALTOR® Party initiative includes the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) providing the hard dollars the association uses to make direct contributions to national, state, and local candidates, as well as the Corporate Ally Program, which provides soft money to support advocacy campaigns and public policy priorities at every level of government.
HARD $
- Individuals only
- Direct contributions to candidates
- Limited to $5,000 to a PAC, per year
- Need to report to the Federal Election
- Commission
- Nondeductible
SOFT $
- Most any entity can contribute
- Candidates can’t accept directly
- Unlimited
- Not required to file with the
- Federal Election Commission
- Nondeductible
Corporate Ally Program Booklet
Corporate Ally Program FAQs
Corporate Ally Program Hard/Soft Dollars
Flier for Association Executives
Infographic: What is the Corporate Ally Program?
Voluntary Investments Card
Corporate Ally Program Overview Video
IMPACT YOUR INDUSTRY—BECOME A CORPORATE ALLY PROGRAM INVESTOR!
QUESTIONS?
Contact Jennifer Nguyen
Disclaimer: Corporate Ally Program (CAP) investments are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. CAP investments classified as “issues” will assist NAR’s issue related advocacy (50% federal issue advocacy, 50% state or local issue advocacy). CAP investments classified as “Political Advocacy Fund” will fund federal (70%), state/local (30%) advocacy activities. Investors wishing to direct their investment for use in candidate-related activity require legal consultation prior to finalizing, as such investments may be subject to income tax and/or disclosure requirements.