About Us

The Alberta Real Estate Foundation supports some of the province’s most impactful projects, positively contributing to our land, built environments, consumers, and industry.

The Foundation’s purpose is to promote and undertake:

  1. 1

    the education of related professionals and the public in respect of the real estate industry

  2. 2

    law reform and research in respect of the real estate industry

  3. 3

    other projects and activities to advance and improve the real estate industry.

Funding Priorities

Through our mandate and informed by our stakeholders, we prioritize funding projects in three key areas that drive a stronger real estate industry in Alberta.

Real Estate Leadership

Build and elevate the capacity of real estate and related professionals to keep pace with the massive changes facing the real estate industry today and into the future.

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Built Environment

Understand and improve the sustainability and livability of the physical and social aspects of our human-made environment.

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Land

Protect property value and support sustainable land use recognizing all real estate assets involve land.

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Three decades of impact

The Alberta Real Estate Foundation was created in 1991 under the Real Estate Act with the goal to support and strengthen Alberta's real estate industry and benefit Albertans. Through strategic investments, we fund projects across a diverse range of initiatives designed to bolster the work of the industry, government, and our land and built environments. Since our inception, we’ve invested over $29 million in 735 initiatives across our province.

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Our Mission

To make strategic investments, form partnerships, and support initiatives that benefit Albertans through the real estate industry in all its forms.

Our Vision

Stronger real estate industry. Stronger Alberta.

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How We Fund Projects

The Foundation invests in projects with revenue generated from real estate transactions both sales and rentals across the province. When a consumer deposits money in trust through a real estate broker, property manager, or commercial broker, the interest earned on the deposit is accumulated and forwarded to the Foundation to invest back into Albertan communities through research, education, and other initiatives that benefit the industry and the province.

Learn about the role of Brokers

Our People

The Board of Governors and the Staff Team serve as the heart of our organization, working collaboratively to ensure the success of our Funding Programs and grant recipients. Together, we strive to achieve impactful results that benefit the real estate industry and Albertans.

Meet the Board

Meet the Team

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Strategic Plan

Our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan cements our commitment to make the Foundation a much stronger force that benefits both industry and all Albertans.

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Funding Programs

We offer three Funding Programs: Sponsorships, Development Grants, and Investment Grants.

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Annual Reports

Document cover for Connecting is Key by Alberta Real Estate Foundation
Cover of AREF's 2021-2022 Annual Report, Partnering in Change
Cover of AREF's 2020-2021 Annual Report, Reviewing, Reconnecting, Renewing
Cover of AREF's 2019-2020 Annual Report, Towards Recovery
Cover of AREF's 2018-2019 Annual Report, Purposeful
Cover of AREF's 2017-2018 Annual Report, Scaling for Growth
Cover of AREF's 2016-2017 Annual Report, Path to Impact
Cover of AREF's 2015-2016 Annual Report, Scanning the Landscape