Royal LePage Real Estate Services has been named the 2015 Outstanding Corporate Citizen by the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). Royal LePage, Canada’s largest and oldest real estate firm, received this award for demonstrating sustained support for the local communities through its network of over 600 brokerage offices from coast to coast, and for philanthropic innovation on a national scale. The company’s 16,000 Realtor® network has raised over $20 million through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, the largest public foundation in Canada committed to ending violence in the home, and providing support to the women and children who fall victim to it.
In establishing the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation in 1998, Royal LePage – the only national real estate company with its own branded charity – set out to create an engaged, philanthropic culture across the company, where management, agents, staff and clients joined together to support shelters for women and their children within their communities. Since that time, Royal LePage has helped hundreds of thousands of women and children safely escape domestic violence. The foundation has also funded major research projects that have led to the development of national educational programs aimed at helping youth develop healthy relationships.
“More than just our tagline, ‘Helping you is what we do™’ represents our collective commitment to giving back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Phil Soper, President and CEO, Royal LePage. “I am extremely proud of the women and men of Royal LePage, for their ongoing financial commitment to our foundation, and for the compassion they show through countless hours of volunteer work for the cause. The good works we do wouldn’t be possible without the immense support we receive from business partners and clients.”
The Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award is awarded annually to a franchise system that has demonstrated genuine and ongoing concern and support for a community or social service organization. Royal LePage is the only real estate company to ever win this award.
“Royal LePage Realtors® understand that a house is only a home when families are safe and happy”, said Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. “Unfortunately, for thousands of women and children in Canada who experience domestic violence, this is not the case. On average, every six days a Canadian woman is killed by her current or former partner. That’s why Royal LePage is so committed to providing a safe haven for women and children who have experienced violence and abuse.”
All administrative costs of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation are underwritten by Royal LePage, ensuring 100 per cent of all donations goes to the cause and gives hope to thousands of women and children escaping domestic violence.
