The Real Estate Foundation has a legislated mandate to support "real estate related" research, education, law reform, and other initiatives intended to support the public or professional good in relation to real estate activities.

The following goals and objectives describe the emphasis of the grants program. While they are organized in discrete categories according to the Foundation's legislated purposes, a project will often span categories (i.e. It will include research and education, or research, education and law reform, etc.).

PUBLIC & PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

The Foundation gives priority to education programs and products that:

• present original research and/or education arising from new legislative requirements;
• serve more than one relevant audience/engage a range of practitioners;
• aim to influence real estate and/or land use practice in specific ways after the project is complete.

The Foundation may consider supporting workshop or conference programs where there is robust real estate and/or land use related educational content. Programs intended solely for an organization's membership (e.g. annual conferences) will not be given priority.

For information on funding for BC real estate industry organizations, [click here].

RESEARCH

The Foundation's emphasis is on applied research, where the results are intended to improve sustainable land use and/or real estate practice. Survey work and studies may also be considered where other resources are lacking for the work.

LAW REFORM

This category includes projects that focus on local bylaw and regulatory changes. The Foundation may fund background research and stakeholder meetings in connection with proposed law reform.

OTHER

The "other real estate related" category specified in the Foundation's legislated mandate includes projects that do not fit well into the other categories. Historically, many "other" or "good works" grants have been capital housing projects. However, in 2009 the Real Estate Foundation's Board of Governors made a decision to no longer provide capital funding for housing, with some very specific exceptions. For further information on the Foundation's current position on funding capital housing projects, see our FAQ page and the question, "Does the Foundation provide funding for capital costs of building?".