As I discussed last month, diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial ideals that IREM Boston is working toward improving on every day, as is our national organization. One way the organization helps to strengthen our DEI efforts is through the IREM Foundation.

The IREM Foundation believes “that well-managed real estate leads to thriving communities, and we value providing access to education and resources that assist those in the real estate management profession.”

One way the foundation provides this access is by offering scholarships and grants to members of the organization. Established in 1977, the IREM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity and is supported exclusively through donations from IREM members. All chapters of IREM can receive financial support for their members through the IREM Foundation.

The foundation also conducts frequent student and industry outreach, in an effort to ensure that everyone has access to a promising career in real estate management and can benefit from the great educational offerings IREM offers.

Potential scholarship recipients can apply for tuition assistance for up to three certification courses. Recipients can also apply for more scholarship funding once the original award is depleted. Here in greater Boston, 31 members of our chapter have received scholarships toward achieving advanced professional designations, including CPM, ARM, and ACoM certificates.

The foundation relies on fundraising to strengthen its initiatives, and contributions to the IREM Foundation go back to support the membership. Given the benefits our local members have already received from the IREM Foundation, we are happy to make the IREM Foundation our chapter charity for 2021.

Our chapter will be donating a portion of the proceeds from our 23^rd Annual Golf Tournament, which will be held on Monday, September 13, at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The day will feature shotgun-style play as well as a golf clinic, corn hole tournament, raffles, an air cannon, hole-in-one contests and much more. Visit the IREM website to register for the golf tournament,.

The IREM Foundation works hard to continue the mission of IREM: “To be a resource for people and organizations seeking to advance the profession of real estate management.” The foundation has definitely proven itself as a resource to countless of our members, and we are excited to help support that mission and support our own members in the process. We are also excited to welcome future new members who perhaps first learned about the possibilities a career in real estate management could offer through the efforts of IREM and the IREM Foundation.

After all, we are members of IREM because we believe that we should strive to be better in our careers every day, and we appreciate the education and resources the organization provides that allow us to be better – professionally and personally.

For information about the mission and goals of the IREM Foundation, please visit www.iremfoundation.org.

Melissa Fish-Crane is the 2021 president of IREM Boston and principal & COO at the Peabody Properties.