Windermere Reaches $50 Million in Donations in Honor of 50th Anniversary
Narrated by Christine Wood, Executive Director of the Windermere Foundation
In honor of Windermere’s 50th anniversary, the company announced in early 2022 that it would strive to reach $50 million in total donations to the Windermere Foundation by year’s end. To help reach this goal, Windermere launched its “50 in 50” campaign. Founded in 1989, the Windermere Foundation’s mission is to fund non-profit organizations that support low-income and homeless families in the communities where Windermere operates. At the start of 2022, the Windermere Foundation had raised a total of $46 million, leaving $4 million for the company’s 7,000 agents to raise in order to reach the $50 million goal—nearly double what is raised for the Windermere Foundation in a typical year.
The challenge was set and Windermere’s network of agents, franchise owners, and employees accepted it with zeal. Things got off to a fast start, with year-to-date donations pushing past $1 million by May. Donations surged through late spring, and by the end of July, Windermere was closing in on a total of $48 million. As the calendar turned to August, we were just over halfway to our goal for the year.
The Windermere Foundation Gala
Then came the inaugural Windermere Foundation Gala at the end of September. Members of the Windermere network joined together at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Seattle for a night of live entertainment and fundraising for the Windermere Foundation.
The evening consisted of a silent auction, a live auction, and raise the paddle. In the silent and live auctions, attendees bid on locally curated vacations, experiences, and goodies. Items up for auction included everything from local wine selections and tickets to theatrical productions to multiple-night vacations and an exclusive Pearl Jam package—including a signed guitar from guitarist Mike McCready, who was in attendance. During the raise the paddle fundraiser, attendees donated at varying levels of support all the way up to a $100,000 donation from Windermere founder, John Jacobi, and his wife, Roz. All in all, the Windermere Foundation Gala raised $1.6 million, propelling year-to-date donations to roughly $3 million at the end of September.
Windermere Foundation Reaches $50 Million
By the end of October, total donations stood at over $49 million. With two months remaining, we were officially in the homestretch. Over the Thanksgiving holiday and GivingTuesday, Windermere agents, staff, and owners continued to support low-income and homeless families, moving the needle ever closer to $50 million. By the end of November, the Windermere Foundation had reached $49,930,664 million, leaving just shy of $70,000 to raise by year’s end in order to meet the $50 million goal. And thanks to Windermere’s generous network of agents, owners, staff, and community partners, the goal was officially reached on December 6, 2022!
Christine Wood, Executive Director of the Windermere Foundation had this to say about reaching $50 million:
“Fifty million dollars is more than a number. It is a landmark achievement in celebrating the Windermere Foundation’s past, present, and future. It represents our coming together to make a difference for our neighbors and embodies Windermere’s core value of ‘Collective Generosity.’ Thank you to everyone who helped us get here!”
For the past 33 years the Windermere Foundation has donated a portion of the proceeds from every home purchased or sold through Windermere Real Estate towards supporting low-income and homeless families in our communities. What started in 1989 as a grassroots foundation serving families in need in Washington State has grown to encompass ten states and has raised over $50 million for programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children’s programs, emergency assistance, and other services to those who need our help the most.
Featured Image Source: Windermere Real Estate
