Real estate professionals have long been forces for good in their communities, and the National Association of REALTORS® is recognizing 10 members who are leading the charge in an extraordinary way—from serving as advocates for the homeless to providing medical clinics for the chronically ill.
The 2024 finalists for NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards, now in its 25th year, exemplify the program’s mission to celebrate REALTORS® who volunteer their time, money and passion to make a difference, says NAR President Kevin Sears. “The Good Neighbor Awards underscore the profound impact real estate professionals provide beyond the transactions and titles, including the value of service and community engagement. As we celebrate 25 years of this esteemed program, these agents who are REALTORS® inspire us with their unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to bettering lives and strengthening neighborhoods.”
Now through Oct. 2, you can vote for your favorite Good Neighbor finalists online. The top three vote-getters will be named as “Web Choice Favorites.” The finalist who earns the most votes will receive $2,500, and the second- and third-place finishers will each receive $1,250. The Web Choice Favorites, as well as the five winners of the Good Neighbor Awards, will be announced Oct. 7.
Meet the 2024 Good Neighbor Awards finalists:
Daniel Davies
Davies-Davies & Associates Real Estate
Queensbury, N.Y.
Davies has dedicated 35 years to volunteer firefighting with North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., often serving as chief or assistant chief. He continues to respond to hundreds of calls annually, handling fire emergencies, motor vehicle accidents and frequently being called upon for mountain and diving rescue and recovery missions.
Howard Friedman
Compass Commercial Real Estate
Bend, Ore.
Friedman, a former board president of the Bethlehem Inn homeless shelter, has leveraged his real estate expertise to help the nonprofit purchase and renovate properties, boosting resident capacity by 30%. A chef and former restaurant owner, Friedman has also dedicated nearly two decades to preparing meals for shelter residents.
Ed Gardner
Gardner Real Estate Group
Portland, Maine
Gardner founded the Equality Community Center, which houses 18 LGBTQ-focused nonprofits under one roof with below-market rent. This arrangement fosters collaboration and increases operational efficiency among the organizations, reducing duplicated efforts. Additionally, he is spearheading the nonprofit’s latest project, the development of a 54-unit affordable housing complex for seniors.
Beth Gilbreath
Century 21 Signature
Dubuque, Iowa
Founder of The Red Basket Project, Gilbreath is dedicated to combating “period poverty.” She coordinates volunteers to assemble and distribute more than 1,900 packs of feminine hygiene products monthly across 17 locations, including schools and homeless shelters. Since its inception, the project has distributed more than 90,000 period packs to those in need, with each pack providing essential support for one to two menstrual cycles.
Stacy Horst
Keller Williams Atlantic Partners
Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Horst co-founded Erin’s Hope for Friends following the tragic loss of her 17-year-old daughter, Erin, who struggled with social connections and ultimately took her own life. In her memory, Horst and her husband established e’s Club, a supportive space for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. The club fosters lasting relationships through joyful interactions and has positively impacted the lives of more than 1,500 individuals.
Tisha Janigian
She Is Hope Realty
Canoga Park, Calif.
Janigian, the founder of She Is Hope LA, drew from her own struggles as a single mother without money, credit or assets. After achieving stability, she dedicated herself to aiding others in similar situations. She has since empowered more than 1,200 single mothers by providing credit assistance, financial training, employment opportunities, housing, food and real estate scholarships.
Danette Johnson
Moab Realty
Moab, Utah
Johnson was a founding member of the Moab Free Health Clinic in 2008 to serve uninsured and underinsured individuals in this rural and remote area. The clinic handles approximately 3,000 appointments annually, offering primary care, mental health services, vision screening and dental care. Using her real estate expertise, she helped the clinic secure larger facilities due to growing demand for its services.
Christopher Johnson
Imagine Associates LLC Realty
Ellenwood, Ga.
Johnson, a board member of 100 Black Men of Dekalb and holder of a doctorate in education, leverages his background as a teacher and principal to enhance educational and economic opportunities for African American youth. As a mentor, he teaches financial literacy and leadership skills, and organizes trips to broaden children’s horizons. He has contributed significantly to the growth of the organization at the local and national levels and has helped introduce financial literacy programs for teens to his local real estate board.
Alicia Stukes
LPT Realty Inc.
Bowie, Md.
Stukes, founder of I’m Bruised But Not Broken, is a dedicated mentor and advocate for people affected by domestic abuse. She manages support groups and a phone hotline for victims, orchestrates community awareness events and leads a social media campaign to educate the public about the signs of abuse. Additionally, Stukes donates bedding and backpacks to shelters, further supporting those in need.
Charlie Wills
Charlie Wills Team—Real Estate Partners
Madison, Wis.
Wills, co-founder of 100 Men of Dane County, initiated a program where 100 community members make a significant impact by committing to donate $4,000 annually. Each quarter, they accept proposals from local nonprofit causes supporting children and select one to receive a $100,000 grant. To date, they have donated more than $2.3 million in grants, primarily benefiting small nonprofits.
Recognizing the Cause
Later this fall, five of the 10 Good Neighbor finalists will be announced as winners, receiving a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity. They will be featured in the fall issue of REALTOR® Magazine and honored during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience in Boston this November. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants for their causes.
Over 25 years, the Good Neighbor Awards have recognized 250 REALTORS® who’ve made an impact in 43 states, Puerto Rico and 17 countries worldwide. Award nominees are selected by their personal contributions of time, finances and materials that go toward benefiting their charitable cause.
“The Good Neighbor Awards spotlight the commitment to going above and beyond one’s professional duties to improve lives and build communities,” says Mickey Neuberger, realtor.com®’s chief marketing officer. Realtor.com® is the primary sponsor of the Good Neighbor Awards.
