The Atlanta REALTORS® Association created a care fund to help members who unexpectedly run into financial hardship. 

The fund, which was designed by the organization’s community service committee and approved by its board of directors, will provide up to $2,500 per quarter to members who experience a financial crisis stemming from “unexpected medical or childcare expenses, substantial damage to personal property or sudden life changes due to mental illness or a death in the family,” ARA said in a news release. 

Six Care Fund distributions will be granted per year. Applicants may apply once per quarter, receive up to $2,500 per application cycle and are limited to no more than two payments per year (up to $5,000 per year).  

To be eligible, applicants must have an active real estate license, be an ARA member in good standing and have completed at least five real estate transactions in the last 24 months or be an active, licensed Realtor for at least one year before they apply. 

Recipients’ personal names and companies will remain confidential except to ARA staff who receive the online submissions. Recipients will be encouraged to share their stories, but sharing will not be a requirement to receive assistance. They will also be encouraged to become active ARA committee members within 24 months of receiving assistance. 

Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis: June 1-Aug. 15, Sept. 1-Nov. 15, Dec. 1-Feb. 15 and March 1-May 15. Recipients will be announced at the end of the month for each deadline and be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.