In light of the increasing number of natural disasters in recent years, the Realtors Relief Foundation commemorated its 20th anniversary by launching Hope Rising, “a campaign designed to ensure the foundation can respond to disasters as quickly and effectively as possible,” according to a press release. 

Founded in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, when Realtors raised $8.4 million within 100 days of the attacks, the foundation has helped more than 17,000 families impacted by disasters. The group believes that no American should be left without a roof over their head due to a natural disaster or terrorist attack and has distributed $33 million in housing-related aid over the past two decades. 

“RRF embodies a history of giving back and a future of paying it forward, and as it is called upon to respond to natural disasters with increasing frequency, the role it plays becomes even more critical,” National Association of Realtors President Charlie Oppler said.

When a disaster occurs, the foundation reaches out to NAR members and its other constituents for help and then distributes funds as quickly as possible. However, RRF said that although these efforts have produced meaningful results, their impact is often inconsistent. 

The foundation hopes to establish a more sustainable plan with their Hope Rising campaign as “part of a deliberate effort to better position RRF for the next 20 years, formally shifting its fundraising efforts to a more proactive model.” 

RRF has already raised $4 million of its $8.5 million 20th anniversary campaign goal, according to foundation President Michael Ford, who said the campaign’s purpose is to “ensure that we are able to immediately respond and protect people in a time of need.”