When most people think about REALTORS®, they think about helping families buy and sell homes. What many don’t realize is that REALTORS® across Ontario are also helping people who currently don’t have a safe place to call home. Through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation (ORCF), REALTORS® and industry partners unite to raise funds that support local charitable organizations serving individuals and families in need across the province. Through collective giving, we strengthen the impact of our profession and help communities address some of their most pressing challenges.
Since its inception, the Foundation has granted more than $22 million to charitable organizations that provide refuge, support, housing assistance, food programs, and other critical services to vulnerable Ontarians.
The Foundation’s mission is simple but powerful: to enable and empower REALTORS® across Ontario to fundraise in support of shelter-related causes in the communities where they live and work.
One of the ways ORCF accomplishes this mission is through a growing calendar of fundraising events that bring together REALTORS®, industry leaders, and community supporters who share a commitment to giving back.
Summer Cruise for Charity: Networking with Purpose One of the Foundation’s newest signature events is the Summer Cruise for Charity, an unforgettable afternoon on Toronto’s waterfront that combines networking, entertainment, and philanthropy.
On Thursday, July 16, 2026, this inaugural event bought together REALTORS®, industry professionals, and supporters, for a unique experience on the Toronto harbourfront. Anincredible $21,000 was raised to support shelter and food insecurity across Ontario. A huge thank you to everyone who supported this event.
Motorcycle Ride for Charity: Nearly Two Decades of Impact For 19 years, REALTORS® have been proving that community leadership extends far beyond the office through the Motorcycle Ride for Charity.
What began as a small group of riders with a passion for giving back has evolved into one of the Foundation’s most recognized and successful fundraising initiatives. Each year, REALTORS®, local Boards and Associations, industry partners, and supporters hit the road to raise awareness and funds for shelter-related causes and food security organizations throughout Ontario.
The Ride is more than a scenic journey. This year, riders will travel through Eastern Ontario on September 23–24, journeying from Aurora to Calabogie on Day 1 and from Calabogie to Belleville on Day 2. Participants are welcome to join for one day, both days, or select stops along the route.
And the impact is significant. The 2025 Motorcycle Ride for Charity raised over $68,000, making it the most successful Ride in the event’s history. Funds raised support the work of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation and the charitable organizations it serves across the province.
Perhaps most importantly, the Ride demonstrates the power of collective action. Participants come together, representing different brands, brokerages, and communities, united by a shared commitment to making a difference. Register or sponsor a rider: RealtorsCareOntario.ca/Ride
Create Your Own Fundraiser Not everyone owns a motorcycle or can attend this year’s cruise event, and that’s okay.
The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation encourages REALTORS®, local Boards and Associations, brokerages, businesses, community groups, and individuals to create their own fundraising events in support of the Foundation.
Community fundraising events can take many forms, including golf tournaments, charity auctions, community barbecues, networking events, sporting competitions, concerts, appreciation events, or creative local initiatives designed to engage supporters and raise funds.
In addition to generating donations, these community events help raise awareness about the Foundation’s work and the challenges facing individuals and families across Ontario.
For REALTORS® looking to deepen their community involvement, hosting a fundraiser offers a unique opportunity to make a local impact while aligning with a cause that reflects the profession’s commitment to strengthening communities. Learn how to host your own fundraiser at https://www.realtorscareontario.ca/get-involved/host-a-fundraiser
Why It Matters Across our communities, housing affordability and access to nourishing food remains top of mind. The rising cost of living, limited affordable housing options, and growing reliance on food programs are realities being felt in communities across the province.
According to Association Municipalities of Ontario, more than 85,000 Ontarians have experienced known homelessness in 2025. Nearly half of Ontario renters spend 30 per cent or more of their income on shelter which is the highest rate in Canada.
Food insecurity is also on the rise. More than one million Ontarians turned to food banks last year, many for the first time, according to Feed Ontario. Food bank usage has also increased, with one in four visitors being employed.
These figures highlight the growing number of working individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. These statistics reflect a growing need for support and the importance of investing in local programs and services that help individuals and families secure safe housing and reliable access to food.
Through events like the Summer Cruise for Charity, the Motorcycle Ride for Charity, and countless community-led fundraisers, Ontario REALTORS® are helping ensure these organizations have the resources they need to continue their important work. Whether you attend an event, sponsor a participant, donate, or organize a fundraiser of your own, there are countless ways to support the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation and help create meaningful change across the province.
SOURCE, ORCF
To learn more, visit ORCF ONTARIO REALTORS® CARE FOUNDATION
