A Little About Us

The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation (The Foundation) began in 1960 as the CAR Education Foundation. It was created to further real estate education and research. In 1991, the CAR Housing Opportunity Foundation (CARHOF) was established. Grant funding began in 1993 to assist with safe and affordable housing throughout Colorado. The initial grant monies came from Colorado REALTOR® brokers and title companies who invested their client’s earnest money into interest bearing escrow accounts.

The interest earnings were then donated to CARHOF. Today, hundreds of Colorado brokers and title companies support the Foundation with interest earning contributions from escrow accounts. In 2018, the Foundation was established to combine the Educational Foundation and the Housing Opportunity Foundation under one philanthropic umbrella. At that time, the Foundation established the Disaster Relief Fund in response to the devastating fires and floods that plagued Colorado in 2013 and 2014.

Today, the Foundation is the philanthropic and community engagement arm of the Colorado REALTORS®, real estate agencies, title companies, builders and other affiliate partners who work collaboratively to advance safe and affordable housing programs, education for consumers on homeownership, and provide disaster relief to our neighbors in need.

The CAR Foundation has invested over $7.8 million over 25 years to support Colorado nonprofits that encourage safe and affordable housing, promote homeownership and provide disaster relief to our fellow Coloradans.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY FOR A GRANT!

How to Apply:

The Foundation’s 2024 Grant Cycle deadline closes March 15, 2024. Organizations approved for funding will be notified in April, and funds distributed before the end of the calendar year.

The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation’s Invest in Colorado Grant Program supports Colorado nonprofit organizations that:

• Advance safe and attainable housing programs for Colorado residents
• Promote educational programs that encourage and support homeownership and financial literacy for all Coloradans
• Align with the CAR Foundation’s strategic priorities for its grantmaking
• Grant amounts will range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Organizations funded in 2023 are not eligible for 2024 grant cycles. Full eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found HERE.

Partner with the Foundation!

Since 1991, thousands of real estate brokers, owners and title companies across Colorado have supported the Foundation (and formerly CARHOF) in a substantial way by investing client’s earnest money in interest bearing escrow accounts and directing their financial institutions and/or title companies to transfer all interest earnings to the Foundation. This collaborative effort of thousands of partners has resulted in millions of dollars of investment in the Foundation’s programs to support safe and affordable housing over the last 25 years. The Foundation is grateful for the continued support of our partners! Thank you!

New Broker Partners

Supporting the Foundation’s Housing Program is easy! As the broker you have the opportunity to direct how your client’s earnest money is invested. You do not need the company’s or the banks permission to request that your client’s earnest money is invested in an interest-bearing escrow account.

• To enroll your real estate company click the button below.

• If your brokerage places its client’s earnest money in an escrow account held by a title company, then click the button below.

Your company will be recognized as a Housing Program Partner on the Foundation’s website. You will also be invited to check presentations and will be recognized as a participating Partner whose support makes the Foundation’s grant-making possible.

New Title Company Partners

Join the many title companies who support the Foundation by participating in the Housing Program funded by interest-bearing escrow accounts. Please complete and submit the Title Company Enrollment Form.

Your company will be recognized as a Housing Program Partner on the Foundation’s website. You will also be invited to check presentations and will be recognized as a participating Partner whose support makes the Foundation’s grantmaking possible.

Thank You to Our Valued Partners!

Advantage Bank  |  Alpine Bank  |  Bank of Colorado  |  Bank of Estes Park  |  Bank of the West  |  Bank of the San Juans  |  Champion Bank  |  City Wide Bank  |  Collegiate Peaks Bank  |  Community Banks of Colorado  |  Evergreen National Bank  |  First Bank  |  First Citizens Bank  |  TBK Bank  |  First State Bank of Colorado  |  Guaranty Bank and Trust Company  |  Gunnison Bank and Trust  |  High Country Bank  |  Key Bank  |  Kirkpatrick Bank  |  Mountain View Bank of Commerce  |  Mutual of Omaha Bank  |  Pikes Peak National Bank  |  San Luis Valley Federal Bank  |  Yampa Valley Bank