Windermere Offices Give Back Throughout Final Months of 2022

Windermere offices throughout the Western U.S. stepped up for their neighbors in need during the final months of 2022, organizing fundraisers and clothing drives left and right. Windermere offices use the monies that they raise for the Windermere Foundation to help fund non-profit organizations that support low-income and homeless families in their communities.

The Windermere Foundation raised nearly $1 million in November and December to finish the company’s 50^th anniversary year with an outpouring of giving. Here are a few examples of the great work done by Windermere offices across the network in late 2022.

Windermere Foundation: End of 2022

Windermere Walla Walla

Many people are in need of warm clothes during winter, and organizations like the Walla Walla YWCA help provide them with the resources they need. Windermere Walla Walla directed their donation efforts this winter to the local YWCA branch, giving $3,600 to help improve the lives of the women and children in their programs. They also collected coats and seasonal supplies to help ensure that these families have their basic needs met this winter. (Pictured above)

Windermere Trails End Real Estate

The folks at Windermere Trails End in Shady Cove, Oregon also jumped at the chance to support local schools by donating nearly $800 worth of winter clothing to Shady Cove Elementary and Middle School. The office used their Foundation funds to purchase leggings, sweatpants, and boxes of new athletic shoes to ensure that students in need would have proper winter gear and warm, supportive shoes.

Shoes donated by Windermere Trails End to the students at Shady Cove Elementary and Middle School – Image Credit: Amanda Richardson

Windermere Real Estate PSK and Lake Tapps

The holiday season is a time of giving, and the Windermere Real Estate PSK and Windermere Lake Tapps offices have been shining examples of that giving spirit for quite some time. 15 years ago, after having conversations with local school counselors about how homeless students were going without proper winter gear, they met with school administrators to see how the local Windermere offices could help. The owners, agents, and staff forged a relationship with the local Fred Meyer and their annual Christmas drive for underserved elementary students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake and Kent school districts was born.

After Windermere staff, agents, and owners gather donations from local businesses, the neighborhood Fred Meyer opens an hour early on a designated day so volunteers staffing the drive can shop freely, selecting supplies like coats, hats, and gloves for children in need. This year, the offices collected $14,800 in donations, serving roughly 500 students.

Ken Freed, agent at Windermere Real Estate PSK had this to say about the clothing drive:

“I think of this every Christmas morning. Over 500 kids have something to open on Christmas day. All the families, all the teaches and their spouses, all our agents can feel they did something worthwhile and appreciated. Handwritten thank-you notes from the students and heart felt hugs and handshakes from the teachers make it even better.”

Windermere Federal Way West Campus and South Sound

The Windermere network went above and beyond in 2022, and the Windermere Federal Way West Campus and Windermere Real Estate South Sound offices in Federal Way, WA embodied that extra effort this past holiday season. These offices made several significant donations to local organizations throughout November and December, making a positive impact in their community. Here are a few notable examples:

Raised roughly $3,500 in donations to provide food and gifts to families in need at Lake Grove Elementary School. The donations supported 109 children and 40 families in total.
Donated $2,500 to Federal Way Community Caregiving Network to provide rental assistance to a family at risk of homelessness.
Because the Federal Way Senior Center is located in unincorporated county territory, the facility does not receive assistance from the neighboring towns it borders. The Federal Way offices donated $5,000 to the senior center for operating expenses to help it stay open and delivered food donations to its residents.
Windermere South Sound donated $2,500 to Fusion Federal Way and Beautiful Soles, two local organizations dedicated to providing shelter and emergency services to children and families in need.

Dozens of bags fill the hallway of Lake Grove Elementary school. They are filled with food and gifts to students in need, donated by the agents and staff at the Windermere West Campus and South Sound offices in Federal Way, Washington.

Food and gifts donated to the Lake Grove Elementary Students by West Campus and South Sound offices – Image Credit: Laurel Butler

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

Featured Image – Left to right: Jenalynn Mahoney, Dana Yarwood, Mindy Stonebraker, Esmeralda Guevara – Image Source: Victoria Harris

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Windermere Reaches $50 Million in Donations in Honor of 50th Anniversary

Narrated by Christine Wood, Executive Director of the Windermere Foundation

Windermere Reaches $50 Million in Donations in Honor of 50^th Anniversary

In honor of Windermere’s 50^th 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.

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

Featured Image Source: Windermere Real Estate

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Windermere-UW Aspire Internship Grows in Second Year

Written by: Samantha Enos – Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Windermere Real Estate

Formed in partnership with the University of Washington College of Built Environments, Windermere’s Aspire internship program launched in July 2021. The internship offers financial support, mentoring, and skill-building through academic and professional office settings to students, with a focus on those from historically underrepresented or marginalized groups.

2021 Aspire Internship

The inaugural Aspire internship began on July 13, 2021, with a class of eight interns. Over the course of the eight-week program, the interns learned about the role homeownership plays in building thriving communities while working side by side with real estate professionals and academic leaders. All eight interns completed the program and received a $5,000 scholarship. The interns’ hard work paid off beyond the classroom as well. One group’s presentation contributed to the creation of the WIN Scholarship Program and one alumnus was hired at a Windermere office in Seattle.

2022 Aspire Interns – Image Source: Windermere Services Company

The 2022 class of Windermere-UW College of Built Environment Aspire interns in a conference at Windermere Real Estate headquarters. Four interns are giving a presentation while the rest watch from the conference table.

2022 Aspire Interns – Image Source: Windermere Services Company

2022 Aspire Internship

The success of the inaugural Aspire internship propelled the second iteration to new heights. In the summer of 2022, 18 University of Washington students participated in the program, more than doubling the number from the year before. The interns were hosted by eight Windermere offices and three ancillary partners (CW Title, Penrith Home Loans, and HomeSight) over an eight-week period. This year, students received a $3,000 stipend in lieu of the previous year’s $5,000 scholarship, thus allowing the University of Washington to support more students through the program.

Striving for improved housing solutions, the students conducted five unique presentations showcasing their knowledge gained through the program. Curriculum covered how international affordable housing models could be applied in the U.S., how NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) stifles the ability to combat other housing solutions for missing middle housing, redlined areas, and homelessness, and how prefabricated housing could lower costs, increase population density, and create more housing units. The final presentation consisted of students creating an apartment rental guide for clients to represent the housing lifecycle.

We are thankful for the Windermere owners and executive team members who hosted the students, making this year’s Aspire program a success. We look forward to working with a new class of Aspire interns in 2023.

The 2022 class of Windermere-UW College of Built Environment Aspire interns sit outside Windermere Real Estate headquarters in Seattle with Windermere Co-President Jill Jacobi Wood, Director of Professional Development Nick Maki, and Windermere Capitol Hill owner Pat Grimm.

2022 Aspire Interns, Jill Jacobi Wood, Nick Maki, & Pat Grimm – Image Source: Windermere Services Company

To learn more about our DEI Initiatives like the Aspire internship program, visit Windermere.com/dei.

Samantha Enos currently serves on the Seattle-King County REALTORS® Board of Directors, is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® Mentorship program and was recently appointed as the Chairperson of the Seattle-King County REALTORS® DEI committee. She also volunteers on the Juanita High School DEI committee.

Featured Image Credit: Windermere Services Company

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Windermere Foundation Gala Raises $1.6 Million

In what has already been a banner year for the Windermere Foundation, the inaugural Windermere Foundation Gala took things to new heights. Held on the evening of September 30 at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Seattle, Windermere agents, owners, and staff dressed to the nines for a night of live entertainment and fundraising for low-income and homeless families throughout the Western U.S.

With 2022 being Windermere’s 50^th anniversary, the company set its sights on reaching $50 million in total donations for the Windermere Foundation by the end of the year. At the end of 2021, the grand total stood at $46 million raised since the Foundation began in 1989, leaving a roughly $4 million gap to reach the $50 million goal. Through the spring and summer, we saw an outpouring of support as Windermere offices around the network stepped up their fundraising and giving efforts. By the end of July, total year-to-date donations surged past $2 million, pushing the grand total to nearly $48 million.

The Windermere Foundation Gala

Then came the night of the Gala, during which the Windermere Foundation would receive the Excellence Award from the 5th Avenue Theatre. Windermere founder John Jacobi and family accepted the award on behalf of Windermere and expressed their commitment to continue their legacy of giving both personally and through the Windermere Foundation. But the Gala was more than a celebration; it was a massive fundraiser, with proceeds from ticket sales, table purchases, donations, and auction bids going back to communities throughout the Windermere footprint.

Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com

As the Gala attendees entered the foyer of the Sheraton Grand Ballroom, they bid on silent auction packages displayed throughout the room. Up for auction were locally curated experiences and goods alike, including multiple-night stays at luxury resorts, tickets to a Broadway production, and more. Next was the live auction. Bids went up for 11 special packages, including a skiing adventure at an upscale resort in Park City, a guided fly-fishing excursion in Montana, and others. As part of an exclusive Pearl Jam auction package, their guitarist Mike McCready was in attendance, adding his signature on stage to an electric guitar signed by the band members.

Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready signs an electric guitar on stage at the Windermere Foundation gala. The item would go up for auction as part of a Pearl Jam package.

Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com

Finally, the Gala attendees participated in Raise the Paddle, where they contributed donations at different levels. Windermere founder John Jacobi kickstarted the giving with a $100,000 donation, and from there, auctioneer John Curley guided the audience through descending levels of support, calling out bidder number after bidder number in what was an outpouring of giving from the audience. The Windermere network more than doubled the $250,000 goal of Raise the Paddle, ultimately raising $520,250 in donations.

Windermere Foundation Gala attendees hold their bidder numbers in the air as they contribute to Raise the Paddle, collectively raising $520,250 in donations.

Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com

In total, the Windermere Foundation Gala raised $1.6 million, catapulting Windermere towards its goal of reaching $50 million in total donations by the end of 2022.

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

Featured Image Source: Panravee Fernando – panraveephotography.com

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Windermere Partners with Seattle Seahawks for 7th Season of #TackleHomelessness

With the dawn of a new football season comes the opportunity to give back to our community. As the “Official Real Estate Company of the Seattle Seahawks,” all of us at Windermere look forward to partnering with the team for the seventh season of #TackleHomelessness. For every defensive tackle made in a home game this season, we’ll donate $100 to Mary’s Place, a Seattle-based non-profit dedicated to helping local children and families on their journey out of homelessness.

The Windermere Foundation and Mary’s Place share a common mission to end homelessness, and it’s partnerships like #TackleHomelessness that help to further that mission in our communities. Last year, the Seahawks’ defensive efforts raised $35,800 for Mary’s Place, pushing the #TackleHomelessness six-season total to $196,100.

Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has raised over $47 million for homeless children and families in our communities. We’ve set our sights on reaching $50 million in total donations this year in honor of our company’s 50^th anniversary, and we look forward to cheering on the Seahawks this year as we work toward our goal. Keep up with our progress this season by following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Image Source: Windermere Services Company

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation or to make a donation, please visit windermerefoundation.com.

Featured Image Source: Windermere Services Company

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Windermere Foundation Surpasses $1.5 Million Raised in 2022

After setting a goal to reach $50 million in total donations in honor of Windermere’s 50^th anniversary, the Windermere Foundation is getting closer to reaching that goal thanks to the $1.5 million that has been raised so far this year. After ending last year with a grand total of over $46 million in donations, that leaves roughly $2.5 million to hit our goal by the end of 2022. Here are some recent examples of how our offices have been raising money and helping low-income and homeless families in their communities via the Windermere Foundation.

Windermere Wedgwood

The Windermere Wedgwood office was inspired to support Lutheran Community Services—a local response organization helping refugees to find stability in the Pacific Northwest—after learning that they needed help raising money to support incoming families of Afghan refugees. After discussing the situation with Windermere Foundation Representatives from the Northgate, Sand Point, Madison Park, Eastlake, and Ballard offices, they got to work spreading the news and gathering donations. Support poured in, and when a check for $15,125 was presented to LCS, there were tears of joy.

Windermere Coast Offices

For the past ten years, the Windermere Coast offices of Gearhart and Cannon Beach, Oregon have participated in the Autism Society of Oregon – Clatsop Chapter’s 5k race/fundraising event “Color the Coast for Autism” as a way to support families with children on the autism spectrum. This year not only did the offices participate and donate $1,000, but they placed well in the race, too! Agent Katy Walstra Smith came in first place for the 5k relay, with two other agents placing inside the top 20.

Pictured L to R: Dennis O’Reilly, Cynthia O’Reilly, Katy Walstra Smith, Pam Ackley, Tobi Rates, and Brandi Lindstrom – Image Source: Pam Ackley

Windermere West Campus

Observed in April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. Windermere West Campus of Federal Way, Washington directed their recent Windermere Foundation efforts toward supporting the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center by donating $1,500 to support the center’s family service programs.

Windermere Bozeman-Downtown

The Windermere Bozeman-Downtown office continues to support and spread goodwill throughout the Bozeman community. In April, they hosted a Windermere Week of Giving for five local organizations that resulted in $1,000 donations to each.

Their donation to Thrive will go toward hiring mentors for two children for an entire school year. The funds allocated to Eagle Mount paid for some of the production costs for their largest annual fundraiser, which the Bozeman staff helped put on during Community Service Day 2022. Their donation to Haven will be used to provide resources to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse. Family Promise plans to use the funds to support families experiencing homelessness in Gallatin County. And the donations to HRDC will go toward the establishment of a new facility to provide resources and solutions to people experiencing poverty in the area.

Three agents from Windermere Bozeman and two reps from Eagle Mount hold up a donation check for one thousand dollars

Pictured L to R: Aidan Young, Kelly Martin, Mike Stem, Andrew Flakker, Natalie McDonald – Image Source: Natalie McDonald

Three agents from Windermere Bozeman and a rep from Haven hold up a donation check for one thousand dollars

Pictured L to R: Kim Stevens, Erica Coyle, Kevin Schwartz, Bobby Goodman

Windermere Mercer Island

Every year, the Windermere Mercer Island office hosts a shredding event which draws crowds of clients and community members alike. This year, they hired a local shredding company to bring a truck to the office parking lot and invited the community to safely and securely shred their old documents while getting a chance to meet some of their fellow community members. The event also served as a platform to collect donations for and raise awareness about the Windermere Foundation’s 50 in 50 campaign.

Windermere Walla Walla

In May, Windermere Walla Walla held a cartoon-themed bowling night to raise money for the local YWCA, the Christian Aid Center, and Children’s Home Society. Agents, staff, and community members came dressed as cartoon characters of all kinds, which made for a colorful and lively scene at the local bowling alley. All in all, Walla Walla collected a whopping $10,000 to support the YWCA’s resources for local women in need, the Children’s Home Society’s child and family counseling, and the Christian Aid Center’s efforts to provide emergency shelter for the Walla Walla homeless population.

Two adult men dressed as cartoon characters for a bowling fundraiser event

From left: Casey Waddell & Toby Swank

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

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Windermere Participates in 38th Annual Community Service Day

Windermere offices close for business every year in June to participate in Community Service Day, an annual tradition since 1984 where our agents, staff, and franchise owners spend the day volunteering in their communities. We’ve gathered a handful of stories to share a glimpse of what Community Service Day 2022 looked like around our network.

Windermere Real Estate Professionals – Boise, ID

With inflation soaring, the Windermere Real Estate Professionals office in Boise, Idaho identified a food drive as a way to make a positive impact in their community for this year’s Community Service Day. Partnering with the Windermere Boise Valley office, they ran a food drive for two weeks, resulting in 520 pounds of food donations to the Idaho Food Bank. Seven staff members participated in food delivery and volunteered at the food bank to package 2,100 pounds of pinto beans to be distributed out into the community. For every one dollar raised, the Idaho Food Bank was able to provide four meals for community families in need.

Pictured back row from left to right: Linda Evans, Lindsey Olson, Jason Smith, Mindi McCallister – Bottom row left to right: Tina Perry, Denise Hapner, Marissa Musgrave – Image Source: Lindsey Olson

Windermere Portland-Lloyd Tower NE – Portland, OR

The Windermere Lloyd Tower office showed up in strong numbers for a city-wide cleaning project in Portland, Oregon. Working with SOLVE, a local organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Oregon’s environment through the mobilization of volunteers, they made their way through the city picking up trash and clearing debris.

A group of Windermere agents and staff from the Lloyd Tower office outside their office door.

Pictured: Daniel Fagan, Claudia Pinedo, Ahna Austin, Josh Velasquez, Melissa George, Regina Cameli, Tyler King, Lori Bennett, Carmel Siler, Beth Kellan, Rob McElroy, Jeanine R. Dixon, Doug Meyer, Scarlet Eikrem, Cynthia Chase, Megan Barrett, Katie Bennett, Sean Kelly, Desireé Moore, Darren? + last signature – Image Source: Susie Hunt Moran

Windermere Northwest Living – Vancouver, WA

Windermere Northwest Living in Vancouver, WA has close ties to local Fruit Valley Elementary, a school whose foundation they have donated food to in the past. The office held a food drive to support students in need facing food insecurity, gathering over $3,000 in food donations. For the first time since 2019, the students were able to receive the donations in person. Windermere Northwest Living followed up the food drive with a donation to the school’s foundation from their brokers, staff, and clients totaling $12,000.

A group of Windermere agents and staff from Northwest Living in Vancouver, WA hold up a check for $12,000.

Pictured: Nataliya Thomas, Lynn Posselt, Sue Wolfe, Tyneil Thompson, Connie Bovee, Dayna Freitag, Karen Cleveland, John Blind, Dean Lane, Halle Sessions, Lauren Cooper, Hollie Sessions, Barbara Corigliano, Gretchen Finn, Steph Tornaw, Chad Sessions, Mike Lamb, Libby Murphy Benz, Gerry Dowdy-Latshaw

Windermere Northern Colorado – Fort Collins, CO

Deeply involved in supporting the housing needs of their community, Windermere Northern Colorado found the perfect partner for their Community Service Day efforts in Neighbor to Neighbor, an organization providing sustainable housing, supportive services, and education to Larimer County, CO locals. A group of agents and staff gathered to build handicap-accessible raised garden beds to support the residents’ gardening and sustainable food practices.

A group of agents and staff from Windermere Northern Colorado working on a project during Community Service Day 2022.

Pictured left to right: Paul Hunter, Pete Jordan, Brandon Bidwell – In background: Heather Patel and son – Image Source: Windermere Northern Colorado / Fort Collins

Windermere Lake Oswego – Lake Oswego, OR

The COVID-19 pandemic has put added pressure on households already experiencing domestic violence; a truth that is not lost on the Windermere Lake Oswego office. Accordingly, they sought to support local women and children facing these issues by partnering with Clackamas Women’s Services, an Oregon City-based organization providing critical services to domestic and sexual abuse survivors and their families. Members of the Lake Oswego office spent the day volunteering at a soon-to-open CWS shelter that will support survivors in their program and provide them a safe place to stay. Windermere agents and staff donated food and toiletries, sorted donations, cleaned windows, and swept floors to get the shelter ready to open its doors.

A group of agents and staff from Windermere Lake Oswego at a playground on Community Service Day 2022.

Pictured left to right: Sandy Fogle, Patty Black, Bill Futrell, Sandi Sheets, Alexis Halmy, Alta Strayhan, Kerri Miller, Natalie Jackson, Linda Crumb, Laurie Bornstein, Christi Kraus, Dennis Kelly – Image Source: Christi Kraus

Windermere Northwest Living – Longview, WA

Windermere Northwest Living in Longview, WA focused their community service efforts on two local organizations—Lower Columbia School Gardens and Habitat for Humanity—with a variety of gardening and planting projects. Agents and staff divided into two groups: one group pulled weeds, pruned trees, and prepared garden beds for Lower Columbia students’ classes, while the other laid sod, built a deck, and laid flooring for the Habitat for Humanity project.

A group of agents and staff from Windermere Longview outside on Community Service Day 2022.

Pictured left to right: Kellie McIvor, Vicki Sturm, Tami Cheatley, Tara Lundin, Kari Gott, Sherry Bjorhu, Kayla Duckworth, Nicole Graichen, Kaylie Kingsley, Baby Jack Kingsley, and Jayme King – Image Source: Kari Gott

Pictured left to right: Hollie Sessions, Chad Sessions, Halle Sessions, Bobby Lundin, Amanda Kurtti, Amelia Glassett, Tim Glassett, Shelby Alred, Barbara Stephenson, Kevin Campbell, Megan Rogers, Abby Davis, Chad Earhart, Lilly Cress – Image Source: Kari Gott

Windermere Bozeman – Bozeman, MT

Over in Montana, the Windermere Bozeman-Downtown office was hard at work supporting Eagle Mount, an organization that provides recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and young people with cancer. Agents and staff helped Eagle Mount set up for “The Western Rendezvous,” the organization’s largest annual fundraiser consisting of live and silent auctions. The Windermere volunteers set up tables and chairs and hung decorations in preparation for a successful event.

A group of Windermere agents from the Bozeman-Downtown office volunteering during Community Service Day 2022.

Pictured: Dina Emmert, Kim Stevens, Mike Stem, Amy Swanson, Joe DePew, Bobby Goodman, Kevin Schwartz

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Advancing DEI: Windermere’s Continued Commitment to Change

Written by: Samantha Enos – Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Windermere Real Estate

Since our company committed to affecting change with regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) nearly two years ago, we’ve established several initiatives that have helped us move the needle toward making Windermere a more diverse organization and homeownership more equitable. Guided by our four DEI pillars—community, home ownership, leadership, and culture—we remain focused on finding paths to address discrimination, racism, and inequity within the real estate industry.

Some of our DEI efforts over the past two years:

Hired a VP of DEI who is charged with advancing Windermere’s DEI efforts, as well as supporting Windermere offices with their DEI strategies, planning, and programs
Developed a committee of Windermere agents, staff, and owners to discuss Windermere’s efforts and to provide input on the direction of our DEI strategies
Conducted ongoing DEI training for the Windermere leadership team, as well as for franchise owners and managers
Engaged with state and local REALTOR® associations to audit our developing DEI training and educational opportunities offered to agents through our Professional Development department
Produced instructional documents to educate homeowners on the history of racially restrictive language in property deeds and how to strike/remove such language from their chain of title
Launched a “Race + Real Estate” playlist on the Windermere Spotify channel that offers a selection of podcasts that explore how members of marginalized communities have historically been denied access to homeownership

Sam Smith “Hi Neighbor” Homeownership Fund

Launched in early 2022 through our partnership with non-profit lender HomeSight, the Sam Smith “Hi Neighbor” Homeownership Fund is designed to help low-to-moderate-income home buyers who have been historically underserved by traditional lenders. Through donations from the Windermere Foundation, U.S. Bank, and JP Morgan Chase, the Sam Smith fund is helping to reduce barriers to homeownership by funding loan products for Black/African American first-time home buyers in Washington State.

We have formed a Board of Directors made up of six agents to help manage the program and drive fundraising. As of May 2022, the Sam Smith fund has raised over $127,000 for first-time home buyers, including a personal donation of $50,000 from the Jacobi family to help seed the fund, with over $58,000 raised this year alone. We are actively seeking partnerships with down payment assistance programs in other states to expand our efforts.

Aspire Internship

Formed in partnership with the University of Washington College of Built Environments in July 2021, the inaugural Aspire Internship program produced eight interns, all of whom completed the program and received a $5,000 scholarship. We’ve already seen real-world impact stemming from Aspire, with one of the group project proposals contributing to the creation of an agent scholarship program (see WIN below), and in the hiring of an Aspire alumnus at a Windermere office in Seattle. The program is expanding in summer 2022, with nearly double the number of students participating.

WIN Scholarship Program

The WIN Scholarship Program was created after recognizing the need to build and support a diverse community of new agents. The program provides up to $2,500 for qualified new hires to be used for training, educational purposes, and relieving the financial burden of the startup costs involved with becoming a real estate agent. The program has made an impact outside of Windermere, as well. Using the WIN Scholarship as a model, Washington REALTORS® has established a pilot program in which they will sponsor one year of REALTOR® member dues, six months’ worth of MLS fees, and $400 worth of training for qualified BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) agents.

DEI Resources

For more information on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, updates on our company initiatives, and further resources on the history of housing discrimination and its impact on our communities, visit windermere.com/dei.

Samantha Enos currently serves on the Seattle-King County REALTORS® Board of Directors, is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® Mentorship program, and was recently appointed as the Chairperson of the Seattle-King County REALTORS® DEI committee. She also volunteers on the Juanita High School DEI committee.

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Windermere Cup Returns for 36th Annual Regatta

The 36^th annual Windermere Cup will be held Saturday May 7^th, 2022, in Seattle, Washington. The rowing regatta hosted by Windermere Real Estate and the University of Washington brings together the best rowing crews in the world for a weekend of festivities and races along Seattle’s scenic Montlake Cut. After a cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a limited event in 2021, the Windermere Cup returns in full force in 2022.

The University of Washington men’s and women’s crews will face off against top international talent in a battle for Windermere Cup supremacy. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Windermere Cup is both an international sporting event and a celebration of boating season open day. Following the races, the Seattle Yacht Club hosts their annual Opening Day Boat Parade.

Windermere Cup 2022

Two storied programs make their way to Seattle this year to compete against the University of Washington: the Netherlands Men’s National Team and the Great Britain Women’s National Team. Last year, the Dutch men’s rowing team finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games. At the Under 23 level, the Dutch men’s eight has rowed in the grand final in each of the last four world championships, winning bronze in 2019 and gold in 2017. The British women’s crew won silver at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and were one of only seven nations to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Great Britain’s women’s eight also won silver in the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in 2019 and gold in the women’s four in 2021.

These crews face a University of Washington rowing program whose long tradition of winning on both national and global stages shows no signs of slowing. The UW women have won twelve national championships, including two of the last four; while the men’s team has won nineteen national titles, including eight of the last fourteen. In May of last year, the UW men’s team swept all four grand finals at the 2021 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship Regatta.

Windermere Party on the Cut: Boats, Bites, Brews, & Bands

The night before the regatta we’ll be hosting this year’s Party on the Cut! The event will take place Friday, May 6^th, from 6 pm to 10pm. Come join us on the northeast corner of the Cut for an evening of fun, games, live music, food, and drinks. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. This year features live performances from Nite Wave and the Queen tribute band Queen Mother. Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets here: Party on the Cut 2022.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit windermerecup.com and follow Windermere Cup on Facebook and Twitter. You can also join in the fun on social media with the official hashtag of this year’s Windermere Cup: #WindermereCup2022

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Windermere Foundation Sets Sights on $50 Million in Total Donations

In honor of Windermere’s 50^th anniversary, the Windermere Foundation has set a goal to reach $50 million in total donations raised by the end of 2022. At the end of last year, the Foundation surpassed $46 million in total donations, leaving a nearly $4 million gap to eclipse the $50 million mark. Through the fundraising efforts of offices across the Windermere footprint, 2022 is off to a strong start. Here are a few highlights from early 2022.

Windermere Northern Colorado

Windermere Northern Colorado has burst out the gate this year, organizing multiple fundraising events and supporting multiple local organizations throughout the early months of 2022. ChildSafe, based in Fort Collins, CO, provides children with responsive treatment, education, and recovery from child abuse. The Windermere office has supported ChildSafe in the past and wanted to continue to do so in 2022, donating $10,000 to them in February to help heal the trauma experienced by local victims of child abuse. In March, the office directed its giving efforts to the Weld County School District, with the goal of helping local children and families struggling with homelessness. Windermere Northern Colorado’s donation of $5,000 allowed the school district to purchase grocery gift cards for local families and students in need.

Pictured left to right: Weld RE-4 School District Director of Exceptional Student Services JonPaul Burden, Meaghan Nicholl, Elizabeth Dolton.

Windermere Utah

For the agents, owners, and staff at Windermere Utah, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has a special place in their hearts. Supporting children in need in their community has been a focal point of the office’s giving over the years, so when looking to kickstart their 2022 giving, Make-A-Wish was a natural fit. The office donated $5,000, which will go toward the organization’s ability to grant another child’s wish.

Windermere Coast Offices (Oregon)

The Windermere Coast Offices of Gearhart and Cannon Beach have made it a point to support the aspirations and success of women in their community. They’ve been loyal supporters of the Astoria, OR branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) since learning about the organization years ago. AAUW provides scholarships for women who may not otherwise have the resources to pursue and succeed in their educational and vocational goals.

To learn more about the Windermere Foundation, visit windermerefoundation.com. To help support programs in your community, click the donate button below.

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