IREM Foundation
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Making a positive impact on our buildings, communities, and the planet.

The IREM® Foundation is committed to the adoption of sustainability initiatives that impact the buildings where we live, work, shop, and play. Through Elaina’s Sustainability Fund and the Jackson Control Sustainability Awards, we celebrate and reward those doing work around the globe to make their communities, homes, and businesses more sustainable and foster happy and healthy living. Read more about these projects below.

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The IREM Foundation in action

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EcoRise is inspiring and supporting students

EcoRise is inspiring and supporting student led projects that make schools more sustainable.

Sustainability

Demi is helping real estate

Demi is helping real estate managers offer clean, sleek, and affordable composting.

Sustainability


The People’s Choice for Sustainable Property award in 2024 was awarded to Hazard Center Office in San Diego, California.

Sustainability

What is IREM doing?

IREM Foundation encourages sustainability initiatives by offering Elaina’s Sustainability Grants to individuals and organizations promoting innovation, adoption and research into green initiatives in the built environment. And through a partnership with Jackson Control, we’re recognizing excellence and promoting knowledge sharing among IREM’s top performing Certified Sustainable Properties (CSP®).

Innovating in sustainability
The Foundation is proud to fund impactful innovation. Recently that has included IoT-enabled Smart Bins in Rwanda that revolutionize waste collection, and educational materials on energy conservation for 12,000 Austin-area Vietnamese residents.

Accessing sustainable practices and tech
We work with communities and organizations looking to incorporate more sustainable practices. In the U.S., IREM Foundation funds enabled the creation of a community garden for a community of low-income seniors. In Ogbomosho, Nigeria, Zion Christian Academy installed 25-35 solar panels to provide a badly needed energy source.

Researching sustainability and wellness
The Jackson Control Sustainability Awards recognize exceptional performance among IREM Certified Sustainable Properties (CSP). This award program highlights the teams of people behind sustainable building performance and encourages knowledge-sharing to help others on their sustainable property journeys.
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View past Elaina’s Fund recipients

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Apply for funding.

Who should apply
What are the criteria
How to apply

  • • Non-profit organizations, municipalities, educational institutions, companies, or individuals may apply for grant funding.

    • Requests for funding must demonstrate a charitable nature as defined by the IRS and may be awarded for programs/initiatives that include research, next gen engagement, maintenance and tech development, professional development, recruitment from underrepresented populations or other avenues for addressing these objectives.

  • • The Foundation will consider requests for both new and existing programs when and existing program may benefit significantly from additional funding.

    • Grant recipients must submit a report within one year of receiving funding that outlines the outcomes of the grant.

  • Submit a request online.


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About Elaina

JElaina Tattersdale

On June 5, 2019, Elaina Tattersdale passed away after a short battle with cancer. At the young age of 35, she leaves behind two daughters and a devoted family including her parents, 2020 IREM President Cheryl Gray, CPM® and Rick Gray, CPM®.

Elaina believed that one person could make a difference. She worked as an enterprise project manager for Canada-based real estate firm, Morguard Investments. Her dream was to improve the impact buildings have on our environment by working in sustainability, but sadly, those doors never opened. To honor her passion, Elaina’s parents, Rick and Cheryl Gray, launched Elaina’s Sustainability Fund with a donation of $50,000 to the IREM Foundation in 2019.

Featured spotlight

Residents of Riverview Apartments in Pittsburgh, PA got their hands dirty by putting a $500 grant to use to build and plant accessible raised garden beds. The seniors in this affordable senior housing community are now enjoying their own herbs and vegetables thanks to their 2021 Elaina’s Sustainability Fund Grant.

Featured spotlight

The Vietnamese America Community in Austin, TX is preparing to launch an educational campaign to more than 12,000 local Vietnamese residents. The education will teach energy conservation methods such as household maintenance and recycling. Eventually the community will launch sustainability audits and fixes for those who participate in the campaign.

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