About Us

The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation enables and empowers REALTORS® across Ontario to fundraise in support of shelter-related causes in the communities in which they live and work.

This means that you, as a REALTOR® in Ontario, have your very own charitable Foundation supporting shelter-related causes in your community!

The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation is specifically designed for REALTORS® and real estate boards and associations in Ontario to support registered charities that provide individual Ontarians with a refuge, haven, or other type of protection from the effects of hunger, the elements, abuse, disabilities, and illness.

Together, as real estate professionals, we can strengthen Ontario communities through the work of the Foundation.

The Foundation was first founded as the Canadian Real Estate Board Foundation - Ontario Fund in 1967 as part of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Foundation.

In 1977, the Foundation was renamed to the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation. Grants were made to a variety of charitable organizations with various mandates across the province. In 1999, the decision was made to focus grants primarily on shelter-based charitable organizations.

In 2006, the name was changed to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation.

And in 2021, the Foundation completed its first-ever strategic planning process. This further clarified our mission, focus, and vision and set out a strategic plan through to 2026.

While the Foundation is its own separately-registered charity, we receive some funding from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). They have been a significant supporter and a consistent champion of the work of the Foundation.

The Foundation raises funds through events like the Motorcycle Ride for Charity and the Jam with a Past President (both of which are sponsored by various companies), as well as through ongoing programs like the Every REALTOR® Campaign, Local Express Grants, and Fellowships. We also encourage individuals and real estate boards and associations in Ontario to host a fundraiser for the Foundation.

While the Foundation is its own separately-registered charity, we receive some funding from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). They have been a significant supporter and a consistent champion of the work of the Foundation.

While not specifically directed at raising funds, we also give out Real Heart Awards (formerly known as Spirit Awards) annually to recognize individuals or boards and associations whom have significantly contributed to the success of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation or advanced its goal of assisting organized real estate to support shelter-related charities in Ontario communities. 

You can help make a difference in your community! 

Please check the Get Involved dropdown from our menu for upcoming opportunities and events.

You can make your donation online, over the phone with a Foundation staff member, or by cheque.

Over the last 40 years, the Foundation has granted close to $18 million dollars to shelter-based organizations throughout the province on behalf of Ontario REALTORS®.

Donations are invested in the Foundation's capital fund to earn interest unless otherwise designated. Interest earned from the capital fund is then granted out to shelter-related causes in Ontario.

Visit our Grants page to see which registered charities have benefited from our grants.

Please follow our Grant Process.

The Foundation's Board of Directors is comprised of 12 dedicated individuals including REALTORS®, Executive Officers, and Directors-At-Large. The Board of Directors shall supervise, control, and direct all activities of the Foundation, its publications, the disbursement of its funds, and the determination of its policies. The Board shall actively pursue the purpose and objects of the Foundation and may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as they may deem advisable.

The Foundation currently has three Staff.

Many professions form boards or associations to represent the interests of their members. In the real estate profession, this is called 'organized real estate' and it has three levels: Local, provincial, and national.

When a salesperson becomes a member of a local real estate board or association, they automatically become a member of both the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and they also may call themselves REALTORS®:

At the provincial level, OREA represents 96,000 REALTORS® from 34 local real estate boards and associations throughout Ontario.
The Foundation works closely with these local boards on fundraising to support local shelter-related causes.

At the national level, CREA represents the interests of 130,000 REALTORS® from 84 real estate boards and associations throughout Canada.