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The Real Deal
Grants aim at housing, education and youth
By Jean Newton
Members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors are actively involved in many ways of giving back to the community. Through the establishment of a Charitable Foundation, the 3,000 member nonprofit trade association provides grants available to organizations from donations by its Realtor and affiliate members and friends.
As a wholly owned 501(c)3 subsidiary of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, the charitable foundation has its own board of trustees who are elected to serve for a three-year term. Recently appointed officers of the Charitable Foundation's Board of Trustees are: president Lovinda Beal, Coldwell Banker, Portola Valley; Vice President Michael Orozco, Alain Pinel Realtors, Los Gatos; Treasurer Melanie Johnson, Coldwell Banker, Los Altos; and Secretary Penny Pompei, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
"We are committed to the welfare and prosperity of the communities where we live and work. Through our charitable contributions and member involvement, we strive to help create more productive and enriched communities," said Beal.
Last year Charitable Foundation grants totaling $150,000 were made to a variety of nonprofit organizations that focus on housing, youth and education. Past recipients include A Place For Teens in Los Gatos/Saratoga, the Housing Industry Foundation in San Jose, Community Health Awareness Council in Los Altos/Mountain View, Mid-Peninsula Hospice Foundation in Menlo Park, Ecumenical Hunger Program in Palo Alto, Cupertino Community Services, Avenidas in Palo Alto and the Christmas in April program.
Generally, funds are granted for capital expenditures and/or special project costs. All nonprofit organizations operating within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors are eligible for consideration. Silicon Valley Association of Realtors serves both Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties from the Los Gatos/Saratoga area to Sunnyvale/Cupertino, Mountain View/Los Altos, Palo Alto and Menlo Park/Atherton. Special consideration is given to those organizations involved in housing or educational issues.
The group meets quarterly in March, June, September and December to consider applications from nonprofit groups. Applications must be received by Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15, and Nov. 15 to be considered. Criteria for evaluation include:
*The need for the expenditure in the community.
*The impact on the recipients as well as the number of people who will be served.
*The location of the community served. (Although requests for state, national and international projects are considered, preference is generally given to projects with a more local base.)
*The soundness of the organization and its financial management.
*The accuracy and completion of the application.
*The level of volunteer support and organization.
Funds for the grants come from donations by Realtor, affiliate and community members at large, as well as fundraising events such as Home for the Holidays in Los Gatos/Saratoga and Sipping for Diamonds in Palo Alto.
To make a donation, request an application, or for more information about the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Charitable Foundation, log on to www.siliconvalley-realtors.org and click on Charitable Foundation.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Send questions on any topic to: Real Deal, c/o SILVAR, 345 San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022; call 650-949-9115; or email to ppompei@siliconvalley-realtors.org.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
