United Way teams up with real estate agents for donations

The United Way of Northwest Louisiana is known by many for working with companies to establish workplace campaigns for annual pledges. The pledges usually come out of a participant’s paycheck.

But, the United Way of Northwest Louisiana is trying something different.

The newly-founded Closers’ Club allows residential and commercial real estate agents to donate with each commission received instead of through a paycheck.

As real estate agents only get paid when they make a sale, it’s a more convenient way for them to donate, said Jennifer Adams, vice president of resource development for United Way of Northwest Louisiana.

“We wanted to help people, and fit into their box versus making people fit into ours,” she said. The Closers’ Club currently includes Realtors from Coldwell Banker Gosslee and Century 21 Elite. United Way of Northwest Louisiana and the members of the Closers’ Club kicked off the new organization Nov. 5 with a celebration at the Petroleum Club.

As a member of the Closers’ Club, a real estate agent receives the same benefits someone involved in a workplace campaign receives. The United Way will mention members of the Closers’ Club in their newsletter, advertisements, news releases and on their website. Instead of

only mentioning the agency a Realtor works for, the publicity will be geared to the individual Realtor.

“Being a Realtor is like an individual business, so we’re making the benefits the same and more fair,” Adams said.

Advertisements will highlight an individual Realtor, listing his or her broker company and contact information.

Adams hopes to get more Realtors involved with the Closers’ Club as it continues to grow. For corporate campaigns like the Closers’ Club and traditional campaigns, Adams said United Way works to make the process as easy as possible and promote supporting businesses effectively.

She said partnering with the nonprofit also offers a way to boost morale in the workplace.

In addition to realtors, Adams hopes that the Closers’ Club will open the doors for more business people who get paid via commission to partner with the United Way.

“It will fit in better for people who get paid on commission in general,” she said.

“We started with Realtors; we will see how it goes.”

Adams said this new campaign will definitely increase what the United Way is able to do in the community, giving the organization more opportunities.

“It will make a better community for everyone involved,” she said.

Throughout this new partnership, Adams is excited to see a traditional organization grow, morph and evolve to fit its community.

“We’re very excited to have something new,” she said.

“United Way has been around since 1921. We’re excited to be able to grow with the times and meet the needs of the community.”

The charter members of the Closers’ Club are Sue Campbell, Yvonne Davlin, Shannon Dean, Sarah Lee Drysdale, Craig Falbaum, Claire Henry, Sharon LaCaze, Sharon Martinelli, Alice Sample, Elaine Sample-Gayle, Polly Vineyard, Jamie Waites and Carrie White.

– Tara Bullock

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To participate in or learn more about the Closers’ Club, contact Adams at 677-2504 Ext. 136 or [email protected].