Giving Back with ROOF

For over 35 years, Red Oak agents have donated a portion of their commission to the Red Oak Opportunity Foundation (ROOF). Along with Red Oak partners and vendors, it has granted more than $1,500,000 to East Bay charitable organizations that do not receive significant funding from other sources. ROOF became a major donor to the Oakland/Berkeley Association of Realtors Community Fund in January 2017. As a result, ROOF now works with its local community of Realtors to support local nonprofits.

ROOF continues to give Community Excellence Awards to local nonprofit leaders, recognizing individuals who have shown their long-term commitment to their community through their life's work.

Donate to ROOF now! 100% of your tax-deductible contribution supports your local East Bay neighbors.

 
 
Over $1,500,000
Distributed to Local Charities
 

History

ROOF was established in 1985 when Red Oak Realty's community of agents witnessed the emerging issue of homelessness in the East Bay. They were helping people buy and sell properties every day, and yet so many people were going without a home. A decision was made to give agents the option to donate a percentage from each commision to the community - and ROOF was born.

It was decided that ROOF funds would go to organizations that weren't receiving significant funding elsewhere. This would be focused on housing organizations and education, and any remaining money would be donated on a discretionary basis.

Ten years after it was formed, ROOF was recognized for its contributions to the community, the mayor of Berkeley issued a proclamation declaring a Red Oak Realty Week for the city of Berkeley.

In 1996, one of Red Oak's clients, who wishes to remain anonymous, was so impressed with ROOF that they offered to match whatever funds we raised during the year. In order to do this, ROOF formally became a 501(c) 3 nonprofit charitable organization and from that point on, all contributions to ROOF became tax deductible. As a result, ROOF has vastly increased the level of contributions from clients and business associates as well as agents.

DONATE NOW!

 
We are grateful to our agents, staff and others who have so generously contributed over the years. DONATE
 

2023 Grant Recipients

 

Central Stage is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the arts, with an emphasis on Persian arts and culture. They provide an affordable space where the artistic community can explore creative expression, promote cultural dialogue, and share knowledge.

 

 
 

Red Oak supporting a LavaMae event.

Back in 2019, Red Oak was introduced to an organization that was approaching the challenges of the unhoused (homelessness) on an extremely human level. LavaMaex coined the term "Radical Hospitality®" - a means of providing care in a way that aims to restore dignity, rekindle optimism and fuel a sense of opportunity to individuals living on the streets. Their vision is a world where hygiene is treated as a human right, and they have so far served over 100,000 people bringing them access to sanitation and hygiene services through their mobile showers, hand washing stations, and pop-up care villages.

 

 
 

For over twenty years, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity has worked at the intersection of economic equality and climate resilience. They have served more than 3,000 youth and adults while helping over 52,700 households reduce their carbon footprint.

 

 
 

The Sogorea Te' Land Trust cultivates rematriation in the East Bay where traditionally land belonged to the Lisjan Ohlone. Led by urban Indigenous women, they facilitate the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people and revitalize the cultural and spiritual traditions of their ancestors.

 

 
 

Women's Daytime Drop-in Center empowers homeless women and children, offering hot meals, groceries, hygiene products, and diapers to women and children in need. They also provide support services and housing resources for Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville families.

 

 
 

YES Nature to Neighborhoods was founded on the belief that positive experiences in nature are a catalyst for individual and community transformation. The organization offers numerous programs for people of all ages with a mission to nurture leaders who champion the well-being of their communities.