Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what we are asked most, including the questions people ask because of our name.
About the organization
Is The Real Estate Foundation a real estate brokerage?
No. The Foundation is a Florida Not For Profit Corporation recognised by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is not a licensed real-estate brokerage, it does not list or sell property on behalf of clients, and it does not earn sales commissions.
Our work is charitable and educational: housing education, housing counseling, and activity directed at housing access and stability.
Are you a mortgage lender, a bank, or an investment company?
No. The Foundation does not originate, broker, service, or fund mortgages. It is not a bank, credit union, or investment company, and it does not sell financial products or investment opportunities of any kind.
Our foreclosure-prevention and financial-literacy work is education — explaining how these systems work so that households can deal with lenders and landlords from an informed position.
Do you buy, flip, or build houses for profit?
No. The Foundation is not a property-flipping business and is not a for-profit construction company. Its housing-rehabilitation work is directed at keeping homes safe and habitable for the people living in them, in service of its charitable purpose.
There are other organizations with similar names. How do I know I have the right one?
Use the identifiers, not the name. This organization is THE REAL ESTATE FOUNDATION INC, federal EIN 92-1325113, Florida document number N22000013404, principal office at 100 South Ashley Drive, Suite 600, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Those identifiers can be checked against IRS and State of Florida records — see our Transparency page for direct links.
Programs & eligibility
Who can take part in your programs?
Our programs serve individuals, families, and communities facing housing instability, limited access to affordable housing, barriers to responsible homeownership, or a need for reliable housing education and counseling.
Eligibility and availability vary by program. Write to info@therealestatefoundation.org and we will tell you what currently applies to your situation.
Do you turn anyone away?
Not on the basis of who someone is. Our programs are open without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or the other characteristics set out in our Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Statement.
We may not be the right organization for every housing need. Where we are not, we will say so and try to point you elsewhere.
Can you guarantee I will get housing, a loan, or a particular outcome?
No. We provide education, guidance, and access to information and resources. We do not control lenders, landlords, courts, or housing authorities, and we do not promise a particular result.
Funding, verification & records
Are donations tax-deductible?
The Foundation is recognised by the IRS as exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law. We are not able to give tax advice — please consult your own adviser about your circumstances.
To give, email donate@therealestatefoundation.org and we will send detailed instructions. See the Donate page.
How is the Foundation funded?
Through a combination of program service revenue, charitable contributions, and grants. In recent reporting years the larger share has come from program service revenue rather than donations. The full composition is set out in our Form 990 filings, which are public — see Transparency.
How can I verify your nonprofit status independently?
Search the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search using EIN 92-1325113, the Florida Division of Corporations using document number N22000013404, or the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Direct links to all three are on our Transparency page.
Can I see your Form 990 or determination letter?
Yes. Form 990 filings are published through the IRS and ProPublica. For our determination letter or governing documents, write to info@therealestatefoundation.org stating which documents you need and why.
Does this website track me?
No. This site uses no analytics, no advertising technology, no third-party scripts, and no cookies. See our Privacy Policy.