Summer of service

What is the Summer of Service?

The Summer of Service from the IREM Foundation celebrates the daily impact property managers have in their communities by bringing together participants in service to help communities thrive. Service projects should be completed between June 1 – August 31, 2024. Unable to host a service project? Host your own fundraiser. All funds raised will support IREM Foundation programs and services to help advance the real estate management profession.

There are a variety of ways to get involved with the Summer of Service:

• Host a service project (no cost)
• Participate in a service project (no cost)
• Become a fundraising captain (no cost)
• Become a corporate sponsor ($5,000)

Get started

Get involved in service projects near you

IREM chapters, property management companies, and individuals are sponsoring service projects across the globe.. These projects help communities thrive, such as creating new green spaces, volunteering at a local food bank; performing community clean ups, and other skills-based service projects. Check out upcoming events near you – or sign up to host a project of your own.

• Host a project
• Volunteer for a project

And, whether you’re hosting a project or volunteering, make sure to share how you’re supporting your community using the hashtag #IREMgivesback.

Volunteer or host a service project

Need ideas?

Organizing a service project doesn’t have to be time consuming! We’ve put together some examples of projects that could make a big difference in your community. Take a look at the ideas below for inspiration and to get started on a service project!

• Host a cigarette butt clean up

  Volunteer time: 1 -2 hours | Effort: low
  Two thirds of cigarette butts are disposed of improperly, making them the most littered item on the planet. Coordinate volunteers to fill empty water bottles with these pesky eyesores and create a safer, cleaner and less toxic environment.

  Stuff you need

  • Plastic bags or bottles for collecting butts
  • Gloves
  • Time and place

  Optional ideas
  Make it a challenge! Meet your group at a central location, distribute supplies, and send out volunteers in small groups. Everyone meets back up to compare their collections. Offer snacks or invite participants to bring their own.

  Tips
  Look for butts on our streets, in parks, at beaches, and outside restaurants.

• Create green spaces

  Time: 2 hours + | Effort: low to high
  Real estate management pros have skills and resources that can help make shared spaces safer, healthier, and more enjoyable. Consider your resources and use them to create a community garden or spruce up a park, school, or community center by planting trees.

  Stuff you need

  • Area to create a green space
  • Supplies for project

  Tips
  Connect with your city, county, school district, or community center to assess needs. Invite a vendor to donate supplies or keep it simple and grab some seeds and a few garden tools.

• Provide service to families

  Time: varies | Difficulty: medium
  Help community members in need of assistance with yard maintenance, installing smoke detectors or batteries, weatherizing homes, or disaster preparedness.

  Next steps
  Identify the needs in your community and determine which resources your volunteers are most able to provide.

  Tips
  Local churches may have a good idea of community members who need assistance.

• Host a workshop to educate the community

  Time: varies | Difficulty: medium
  Round up some local sustainability experts and host a workshop for tenants and landlords. Or invite residents to learn more about various programs offered in your community.

  Stuff you need

  • A location to host your event
  • Experts to provide presentation
  • Volunteers to assist residents with applications

  Tips Topics could include things like recycle efforts or water preservation.