A new partnership program between Western Pennsylvania Chapter No. 7 of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the Chicago-based Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) Foundation, will enable the chapter to raise funds for the Foundation that are tax-ductible for individual and corporate donors and are earmarked exclusively for area individuals wishing to pursue real estate management education and credentialing through IREM. Announcement of the program - also available to IREM's 79 other chapters nationwide - was made jointly by Chapter No. 7 president Maryann Sipos, CPM, ARM, and IREM Foundation President Robert Click, CPM, at a special luncheon and partnership signing ceremony held recently at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh.
"The IREM Foundation, IREM, and the entire IREM chapter network are committed to attracting, developing and retaining individuals for an ever-growing number of attractive careers in real estate management," said Foundation president Click. "Consequently, we are delighted that our chapters can now spearhead and supplement fund-raising efforts on our behalf, driven by the tax-deductible benefits that accrue to donors because of our not-for-profit status, and also can ensure that grants funded by the money they raise are made to deserving individuals seeking careers in our industry in their respective market areas."
Commenting on Chapter 7 being the first IREM chapter to sign on to the partnership program, president Sipos, stated: "The impetus for our chapter taking the lead on this program is a lead donation of $2,000 contributed by Edward Zehfus, CPM, an active, longtime chapter colleague and a distinguished IREM faculty member. Zehfus' donation honors now-deceased former leaders of Chapter 7, Stanley Arnheim, CPM and Paul Neely, CPM, founders of the local firm bearing their names which Zehfus now serves as its president."
Types of Grants Available
Foundation president Click went on to describe the types of educational/professional development grants that would be funded by chapter-raised monies coupled with those raised directly by the Foundation:
* Paul H. Rittle, Sr. Professional Development Grant - Named for a founder of the Pittsburgh real estate firm of Rittle-Rosfeld and a past IREM National and Chapter 7 president, this grant assists individuals exploring a career in real estate management. Grant may be used for any IREM course of study.
* Donald M. Furbush, CPM Professional Development Grant - Named for a past IREM president from San Francisco, this grant assists recipients with expenses associated with earning IREM's Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation.
* Bette Fears, ARM Professional Development Grant - Named for an honored IREM member from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho who represented the organization's Accredited Residential Manager (ARM) constituency while serving IREM in various leadership positions, this grant assists recipients with expenses associated with earning ARM certification.
* Diversity Outreach Professional Development Grant - Assists individuals from underrepresented population groups with the expenses associated with earning an IREM credential.
In addition, a new grant named the Member Support Grant assists individuals who already are IREM members - but who have limited financial resources - with maintaining current membership status, accessing professional development programs, and/or attending IREM functions.