Real estate company has donated $5 million to hundreds of charities in South Africa and the rest of the world.
The Harcourts Foundation, the charitable arm of Harcourts International, has reached the latest milestone of $5 million raised since its launch in 2008. South Africa's arm of the Harcourts foundation, launched in 2011, has already donated R1million to the foundation.
Internationally, this translates to 686 charities supported, 311 communities impacted and 851 grants made through Harcourts offices in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
“The Harcourts Foundation in South Africa is making a significant difference helping communities across the country. 100% of Harcourts South Africa sales offices donate to the Foundation with the sale of each property, and through specially organized events,” said Harcourts South Africa CEO Richard Gray.
Of all the incredible efforts undertaken in the past six years to help disadvantaged families and children, one of the signature events is African Angels, Ride for Education.
The African Angels Independent School, established in 2012, provides a quality primary school education to some of the poorest children in the area. With 88 children attending in 2016, all are from local townships with both economically and socially challenged backgrounds, including orphans.
"Ride for Education is used as a Harcourts team-building exercise to give offices an opportunity to come together for Fun & Laughter, and raise important funds for the community. The 2016 event raised R60,000 and the 2017 event aims to surpass that number," explained Gray.
“The Foundation is funded through Harcourts employee salary sacrifice, ‘off the top’ contributions from sales commissions, and through organised fundraisers,” added Gray.
“The money raised is significant, but what truly is impressive is how Harcourts people are impacting our communities, from supporting programs to end violence against women, and aiding underprivileged families to create a network of financial support for hospice care,” said Jenny Swanson, The Harcourts Foundation Coordinator. “These grants support a wide range of local community organisations that are quietly going about their work, making a difference in the lives of those who need it.”
The Foundation operates as a 100%, charity with all funds raised going directly to grants due to the volunteer-run structure that sees Harcourts employees donate their time and expertise to oversee and administer the process. No management fees, salaries or running costs are taken from the donation account.
"We are incredibly proud of the work The Harcourts Foundation has done over the past nine years," said Harcourts International Managing Director Mike Green. "The Foundation is at the heart of our company's core values, and it is an important part of our success as an international network. Every location in which there is a Harcourts office, there are people in need. We are grateful to be able to give back and make a difference."
