Last Updated on September 18, 2024 by Luke Feldbrugge
Twenty years ago, Ruth Johnson and her family created Homes for Heroes, Inc. as a way to give back to community heroes who commit themselves to serving others; in the role of firefighter, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserve or veteran), healthcare professional or teacher. Today, Homes for Heroes has surpassed $100 million given back to more than 56,000 heroes on their home purchase or home sale transactions. It is one of several major milestones recently achieved by the company.
$100 Million Given Back to Heroes
The $100 million given back to heroes milestone comes at a time when Homes for Heroes is also celebrating its 20th anniversary from when the business concept of giving back to heroes after buying and selling their home was created after the tragic events of 9/11.
“When we started Homes for Heroes, as the country was coming together during a difficult time, our mission became clear – to thank every hero in our nation for the selfless work they do every day,” Homes for Heroes CEO Ruth Johnson stated. “Now to see how far we have come in 20 years, and how our reach has expanded even more through our Homes for Heroes Foundation, our mission has strengthened in focus and we look forward to thanking more heroes for years to come.”
$1 Million Awarded as Hero Grants to Heroes in Need
Homes for Heroes, Inc. created the Homes for Heroes Foundation to support heroes in the community facing a housing crisis or in need of urgent financial assistance. By working with Homes for Heroes, Inc. to buy or sell a home, you are participating in their Circle of Giving and helping heroes in need. Because not only does Homes for Heroes, Inc., cover all of the foundation’s expenses, but it also donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation.
The Homes for Heroes Foundation celebrated a recent milestone of $1 million in hero grants awarded in late 2021.
In honor of Homes for Heroes’ 20-year anniversary, the Homes for Heroes Foundation is awarding 20 grants in 2022 to organizations who support our nation’s heroes. In addition to these 20 grants, Homes for Heroes is also sponsoring a suite in the Hennepin Healthcare Transitional Healing Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which provides a comfortable environment for firefighters and their family during recovery after being injured in the line of duty. The Healing Center is scheduled to open in late fall of 2022.
As part of the 20 grants to be given in 2022 and in remembrance of our first responders called to duty during the events of 9/11, three foundation grants were awarded to first responder organizations in Minnesota, where Homes for Heroes is headquartered.
Each of the following three organizations received a $10,000 hero grant to aid in their efforts related to helping first responders:
Over 50,000 Heroes Served with Expert Real Estate and Mortgage Assistance
Over the past 20 years, Homes for Heroes has grown a network of over 4,300 real estate agents and mortgage lenders across the U.S. in all 50 states, who have joined Homes for Heroes to thank their local heroes by providing them with valuable Hero Rewards® savings.
In late 2021 with the help of its network of local agents and mortgage specialists, Homes for Heroes helped its 50,000th hero save on a home, reaching yet another milestone during its 20th year of operation.
Circle of Giving Strengthens Communities
All of these milestones were achieved by following Homes for Heroes’ mission to thank every hero in the nation, and by following the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving. As the company and its 4,300 real estate and mortgage specialists assist local heroes through their home buying and selling transactions, they save their heroes an average of $3,000 on each transaction after closing on a home.
Through its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc. then donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, that hero is helping other heroes in need.
The Why that Drives Homes for Heroes
After 20 years of assisting heroes with one of the largest financial transactions many will undergo in their lifetimes, and helping them save significant money in the process, Homes for Heroes’ leadership, employees and member agent and mortgage specialists all realize this journey continues. $100 million given back to heroes is only the beginning of what can be done.
Granted, it will require more resources and overcoming more challenges to reach new milestones. It means helping more heroes buy their first home, sell their last home, or move to a new and unknown community. It means helping real estate and mortgage professionals become a different kind of professional in their community; one who stands out, by standing for something bigger.
All of this will continue to be done out of gratitude for the amazing commitment and dedication of the heroes who serve us every day. They inspire us. And this appreciation for all they do is the why that drives Homes for Heroes, and all who are involved, toward fulfilling its mission to thank every hero in the nation.
Sign up today to work with one of our local real estate or mortgage specialists.
Speak with a member of our team if you’re a real estate agent, REALTOR®, or mortgage professional interested in learning more about making Homes for Heroes part of your local initiatives.
About Homes for Heroes, Inc.
Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest nationwide network of affiliate real estate, mortgage, and local business specialists; committed to providing easy ways for heroes to save on a home. Shortly after 9/11, Homes for Heroes, Inc. was established to give back to firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active, reserves & veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers for all they do. Since 2009, Homes for Heroes, Inc., has helped over 56,000 heroes save over $100 million on their real estate transactions, sold over $14 billion in real estate to heroes, actively partnered with 4,300 like-minded real estate and mortgage professionals who’ve joined in the mission, and donated over $1 million to heroes in need through the Homes for Heroes Foundation.
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