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Mission Statement

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To financially support essential community programs that address housing, opportunities for our youth and champion diversity within our community.

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Vision Statement

Transforming how our members offer life-altering contributions to those in need, while unlocking the potential of non-profit organizations and programs.

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Our Core Values

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Advocacy

Speaking with one voice to support, housing for all, our youth, seniors and those in need.

Engagement

Connecting to local programs through our grant process, ensuring they have access to funding.

Diversity

We know that diversity is our strength and our differences are something to be cared for and celebrated.

Community

Facilitating connections and opportunities between members and the communities they serve, through their donations and volunteerism.

Our History

The Oral Lee Brown Foundation

 

In 2002, the Oakland Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors decided that rather than haphazardly identifying organizations to donate to, they would choose to help one specific organization, The Oral Lee Brown Foundation. OLB was a well-established entity in our community founded by REALTOR® Oral Lee Brown. The Board of Directors members went to each real estate office and asked agents to contribute from every escrow. Some offices even started their own funds as a result! The Oakland Association’s activities grew to include an annual Walkathon to raise funds from agents, affiliates and supporters walking around Lake Merritt in Oakland, Ca. In 2015, the Oakland Association of REALTORS® and the Berkeley Association of REALTORS® merged as did their two community funds and we became The Community Funds 501c3 and The Community Foundation Committee. We continue to hold the annual Oral Lee Brown 5k walk around Lake Merritt asking agents, affiliates and supporters to participate every October and donate the funds raised through a ceremony at our annual Bridge Association of REALTORS® Installation Gala.

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Funds Raised Since 2015 to Date:

Community Foundation Grants: $715,000+       

Oral Lee Brown Foundation Donations: $111,000+

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Zero Administration Fees! 
Every dollar you donate to the Community Foundation goes to changing the lives of youth, seniors, the unhoused and others in need. Make a difference TODAY with your financial support through a tax-deductible donation. The Bridge Association of REALTORS® Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.​

Giving Opportunities for REALTORS®, Affiliates, Brokerages,
and Local Businesses

REALTORS®

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  • Donate $25.00 or more at each close of escrow through the title company

  • Bridge Association of REALTORS® members can contribute through their annual association dues

  • Donate at our fundraising events throughout the year

  • Make your contribution in a client’s name

  • DONATE TODAY: CLICK HERE

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Affiliates, Brokerages, and Local Businesses:

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  • Sponsor an event

  • Matching gifts

  • In-kind & Raffle Donations

Grant Recipients

Grant Recipients

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Bridge Association of REALTORS® members!
Interested in joining The Committee?

We are always looking for passionate and energetic members who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make a real difference in their community! For more information of what is entailed, email cf@bridgeaor.org or contact the Chair directly. We would love to have you!

 Applying for a Community Foundation Grant

The Bridge Association of REALTORS® Community Foundation awards grants* annually to support essential community programs in the categories of Youth Arts and Education, Senior Services Community Activities, and Workforce Housing and Homeless within Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, and Piedmont.

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​Our Application Procedure

Each year, the grant submission period opens on June 1 and remains open until July 31 at 11:59 pm.

Apply at grants.bridgeaor.org during this period.

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    *The maximum grant size awarded is $3,500.00.

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Youth Arts & Education

We seek to provide support where our contributions can help equalize opportunities for children of all social and economic backgrounds to programs providing services such as arts and cultural classes and events, public and private education including Special Education programs and those involving food & nutrition programs addressing hunger.

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Workforce Housing & the Homeless

We seek to provide support to organizations directly benefiting the homeless population and advocacy groups seeking long-term solutions to the housing crisis such as programs involved in affordable housing and those addressing hunger and nutrition issues.

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Senior Services & Community Activities

We seek to provide support to organizations providing services to seniors for socialization, health-care advice, transportation services, nutritional issues, and support services impacting housing.

​Eligibility Guidelines

Requests for grants should be specific in their targeted use for the funds and cannot be used for general funds. Your non-profit organization must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal sponsor that is a tax-exempt entity. Basic criteria include the following:
 

  • Funds must be used for a specific project/event

  • The project/event must occur between September 1 of the application year to July 15 of the following year

  • Your organization’s annual budget must be less than $1,000,000

  • Your organization must provide services in Alameda or Contra Costa County in the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, and Piedmont.

  • Your request can be to start a new program

  • Your request can be to fund special project-specific salaries and stipends 

  • Your request cannot be to fund regular full or part-time salaries

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 For more information, email cf@bridgeaor.org.

Thank You For Visiting The Community Foundation Web Page!
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