Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Raises $3.3 Million in 2021 in support of women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs
$38 Million raised since inception
TORONTO, April 5, 2022 – The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation raised $3.3 Million last year through the contributions of thousands of Royal LePage agents and supporters, making it one of the most significant fundraising results in the nearly 25 year history of the charity. Since inception, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised an incredible $38 Million in support of women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs from coast-to-coast. The Foundation remains the largest public foundation in Canada dedicated exclusively to this cause, just as Royal LePage continues to lead as the only Canadian real estate company with its own branded charity.
“Thousands of the Royal LePage faithful, their families, their clients, and their friends, worked together during this challenging pandemic year to support women and children in desperate need of safe shelter,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. Soper was among the 60 Royal LePagers who participated in the 2021 Challenge for Shelter, held this year over multiple days, climbing British Columbia’s Purcell Mountains. This bi-annual fundraiser has raised $3 Million to date. “Our foundation is the largest of its kind in Canada dedicated to eradicating violence in our communities, and supporting the women and children seeking safe shelter and a life free of abuse. Together with hundreds of local shelter partners, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Women’s Shelters Canada, the Assaulted Women’s Helpline, TD Bank, Sagen and other critically important organizations, we are working to make home a safer place for everyone.”
Violence against women and girls, impacting one in three women worldwide, is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations today. It remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it, says UN Women. Canadians agree the issue is serious. A recent Environics Institute poll[1] discovered a majority (86% women and 80% men) believe violence against women to be the most serious issue affecting women today. In a time of greater isolation, due to COVID, there have been widespread reports of an increase in intimate partner and other forms of violence, as well as unprecedented barriers for those seeking help.[2]
“Royal LePage offices across Canada partner with local women’s shelters to provide much-needed financial and in-kind support. Funds raised by Royal LePage brokerage offices are raised locally and remain in their communities. What makes the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation truly impactful is that Royal LePage pays all administration costs of the Foundation so that 100 per cent of funds raised go directly towards the cause,” said Lisa Gibbs, Executive Director, Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. “The long-standing relationships in the community between Royal LePage brokers and agents and their shelter partners is a bond, built on commitment and passion for living healthy, happy lives free of violence.”
Support for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is a touchstone of identifying as a Royal LePage agent. That’s why, as part of their advocacy and commitment to breaking the cycle of family violence, a growing number of agents donate for every home sold, as part of the Foundation’s commission donor program.
“I know a number of Royal LePage agents who say that the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is a factor for joining the brand and a point of pride, and I definitely include myself within that group,” said Lisa Suarez, an agent with Royal LePage Lifestyles Realty in Lacombe, Alberta. Lisa was recently presented the prestigious Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Individual of the Year – Alberta award for 2021 in recognition of her considerable fundraising and passion for promoting the Shelter Foundation.
About Royal LePage
Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country’s leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of over 19,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, dedicated to supporting women’s and children’s shelters and educational programs aimed at ending domestic violence. Royal LePage is a Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbol TSX:BRE. For more information, please visit www.royallepage.ca.
About the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company with its own charitable foundation. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs. Every dollar raised goes directly to helping the more than 50,000 women and children who are served each year by the shelters and support programs we fund. Since 1998, the Shelter Foundation has raised $38 Million and currently supports 200 local women’s shelters and national partners. Our agents donate a portion of their commissions and Royal LePage offices across Canada hold local fundraising events. Our brokers, agents and staff also volunteer and provide in-kind goods to benefit the women and children residing in their local shelters. More information about the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation can be found at: www.royallepage.ca/shelter.
For further information, please contact:
Sarah Louise Gardiner
Director, Public Relations
Royal LePage Real Estate Services
416.510.5783
sarahlouise.gardiner@royallepage.ca
[1] Women’s Equality and the Women’s Movement: An Update, by Environics Institute for Survey Research, January 2022
[2]Minister for Women and Gender Equality’s appearance at the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO) – June 15, 2021
