REALTOR® membership connects you to resources that support your business, your community and your fellow members. When unexpected hardship or disaster strikes, that network can also become an important source of assistance.
From local support through GAAR to statewide and national relief programs, the REALTOR® organization has several funds dedicated to helping people and communities when they need it most.
The REALTOR® organization provides several ways to support local nonprofits, recognize members making a difference and provide assistance when hardship or disaster strikes. Each program serves a different purpose:
| GAAR REALTOR® Fund Grant |
GAAR Good Neighbor Program |
GAAR Emergency Relief Fund |
NMAR Benevolent Fund |
NAR REALTORS® Relief Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Supports local nonprofit organizations serving Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties. Through an annual grant process, the REALTOR® Fund invests in organizations working to strengthen the communities where GAAR members live and work. | Recognizes GAAR members who make an exceptional impact through volunteer service with a local nonprofit organization. Selected Good Neighbor recipients receive recognition and a contribution from the REALTOR® Fund to support the organization they serve. | A subset of the REALTOR® Fund dedicated to responding to major disasters and emergencies affecting New Mexico communities. Funds can be directed toward relief efforts when an emergency threatens lives, property, public health or safety. | Provides financial assistance to members of the New Mexico REALTOR® family who experience significant hardship due to circumstances beyond their control. This resource is focused on REALTORS® helping REALTORS® during difficult times. | Provides housing-related financial assistance to individuals and families affected by major disasters across the United States and its territories. Assistance is not limited to REALTORS® and is designed to help communities recover following disasters. |
| Community | REALTOR® or Affiliate Members | Community | REALTOR® Members | REALTOR® Members and Community |
| April Grant Opens | October Nominations | As Needed | As Needed | As Needed |
Together, these programs offer several ways for the REALTOR® community to make an impact, whether that means supporting a local nonprofit, recognizing a REALTOR® who gives back, helping a fellow member through hardship or providing relief to families following a disaster.
REALTOR® Fund of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® & Emergency Relief Fund
The GAAR REALTOR® Fund was established by members to give back to the Greater Albuquerque community through charitable giving. Since 2009, the fund has donated more than $500,000 to local nonprofit organizations, supporting organizations that serve Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties.
A subset of the REALTOR® Fund, GAAR's Emergency Relief Fund allows the Association to respond when major disasters affect communities in New Mexico. The fund can provide relief when an emergency threatens lives, property, public health or safety.
This resource has already been put into action. In 2025, the GAAR Board approved Emergency Relief Fund contributions supporting flood recovery in Ruidoso and fire relief in Valencia County.
NMAR Benevolent Fund
Sometimes hardship hits closer to home. The NMAR Benevolent Fund was created around a simple idea: REALTORS® helping REALTORS®.
The fund provides assistance to members of the NMAR family who experience financial hardships because of circumstances beyond their control.
While GAAR's Emergency Relief Fund is focused on responding to disasters in New Mexico, the NMAR Benevolent Fund provides another avenue of support when hardship directly affects someone within the REALTOR® community.
NAR REALTORS® Relief Foundation
At the national level, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation provides housing-related financial assistance to families and communities following major disasters.
The foundation was created in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. Since its founding, it has provided more than $53 million in financial housing assistance to more than 50,000 families affected by disasters.
Importantly, this assistance is designed for families among the general public who are impacted by disasters, not only REALTORS®. The program works in partnership with state and local REALTOR® associations to bring housing assistance to affected communities.
Because NAR covers the foundation's administrative expenses, 100% of donations to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation go directly toward disaster relief.
A Network of Support
These programs serve different purposes, but together they demonstrate the reach of the REALTOR® community.
The GAAR REALTOR® Fund invests in local nonprofits. The GAAR Emergency Relief Fund responds to disasters across New Mexico. The NMAR Benevolent Fund helps members of the REALTOR® family facing financial hardship. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation provides housing assistance to families and communities recovering from disasters nationwide.
Membership is about more than the resources you use every day. It also connects you to a network built to serve communities and support one another when circumstances take an unexpected turn.
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