For decades, REALTORS® have been strong community advocates across our region. Not only to help guide people through the largest financial transactions in their lifetimes, but by standing up and lending support in challenging times or when tragedy strikes.

Today, we are proud to unveil the brand that will guide the next chapter in this legacy with the launch of the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) Community Relief Fund (CRF), our new charitable program beginning in January 2026.

 As we announced earlier this year at our AGM and through various member communications, this new charity initiative is designed to marshal the robust community and charitable spirit within our membership and direct our collective strength toward providing support to Canadians facing housing-related crises.

Whether it’s a wildfire, flood, or another unforeseen hardship that leaves families without shelter, this fund will allow our Realtor community to respond quickly and compassionately by offering some charitable and financial support to people in their greatest time of need.

Learn more about this program and our vision behind it here:

"This initiative reflects our collective commitment to housing as more than just a transaction – it is a human need at the core of our profession. Through this fund, Realtors across Greater Vancouver will be able to show the public that our commitment to shelter extends beyond the marketplace, offering relief and stability when it matters most,” Jeff King, GVR CEO said.

We aim to generate $175,000 to $275,000 per year for the CRF to have its greatest effect on our communities. We'll accomplish this by: 

• Members contributing a modest $1 per month from monthly dues starting in January 2026.
• Converting the Medallion Gala, in part, into a charitable fundraiser by designating a portion of ticket sale proceeds to the CRF.

Collecting proceeds from other member fundraising and partnerships.

• The CRF application will be available on our public site and GVR member site. When someone you know is facing these kinds of hardships, you can apply to the fund on their behalf for assistance or guide them to apply themselves.
• The program will be overseen by a Selection Committee comprised of a combination of senior GVR staff, Realtor members with experience volunteering with charities, and external representatives from the charitable and fundraising sector. This committee will review applications throughout the year and select, based on stringent governing guidelines and policies, the causes that ultimately receive funds as measured against the program’s disbursement criteria and objectives.

The program will seek to: 

• Provide housing-related relief to residents in times of disaster or housing displacement.
• Be backed by a transparent structure, guided by research and charitable best practices from across North America.

Create opportunities for members to publicly show their support, champion the initiative, and promote the Realtor profession’s role in strengthening communities.

• Recommendations for causes to support can be submitted year-round through an online application form that will be available to both members and the public to make submissions.
• The committee will review applications and decide which charities or  causes to fund.

As part of this evolution, we are now retiring our longstanding involvement in the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive. While this program has had a proud and meaningful legacy, our research and feedback from our charitable partners found that this program has been becoming less effective in recent years and was in need of a re-imagining.

The CRF will allow us to focus our charitable efforts in a more sustainable, impactful way that is aligned with our role in housing and shelter.

“As we close this chapter, the critical involvement of member volunteers and real estate offices in the Blanket Drive and Shelter Drive is something we should all be proud of,” said King. “Now is the right time to open a new chapter for GVR’s charitable efforts that allow us to work together to address new needs in the communities that we serve.” 

This is an exciting moment for our profession. The CRF represents a bold, united step toward redefining how Realtors give back, ensuring that we are there for our communities when they need us most. In the face of recent natural disasters, Realtors have organized to help raise funds for those affected, often appealing to GVR for financial help. 

With this action in mind, your association created the CRF as a tool Realtors can collectively use to allow for quicker, more direct community support when disasters strike. 

“We encourage all members to support and get involved with this new initiative. We will only be successful if you help to share its vision, and the good work that we will do. Together, we will demonstrate the true meaning of leadership, care, and commitment to housing,” King said.

Please stay tuned for much more detail about this program in the weeks ahead as we prepare for the official January 2026 launch.