In a concerted effort to help its Gulf States market centers recover from Hurricane Katrina, Keller Williams Realty Inc. and its public charity, Keller Williams Realty Cares (KW Cares) has raised $4.4 million.

The amount is not far behind the collective fundraising efforts of the National Association of Realtors, which has raised $5.8 million for hurricane relief.

Keller Williams Realty Vice Chairman Mo Anderson said Keller Williams Realty's giving culture has enabled the real estate franchise operation to "respond meaningfully" to its associates in need. As of mid-November, individual donations from Keller Williams Realty's 55,000 associates had reached $3.4 million. Additionally, the company's 500-plus market centers across the United States and Canada had donated $945,000 - earmarking 10 percent of their profits to KW Cares.

"We are making history in real estate with KW Cares, which has been supporting our associates in times of extreme hardship since 2003," Anderson said. "At Keller Williams Realty, we believe you have to give to get, and we're determined to hit our goal of raising $5 million for our Gulf States associates."

In addition to the fundraising campaign, KW Cares launched a long-term relief program called Heart 2 Heart, which is helping more than 700 Keller Williams Realty associates rebuild their lives and businesses. The adoption program enables volunteer Keller Williams Realty market centers in other regions to assist specific Gulf States associates impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Founded in 2003, Keller Williams Realty Cares (KW Cares) is a federally qualified 501(c)3 public charity created to support Keller Williams Realty associates and their families in times of extreme hardship. It is the heart of the Keller Williams Realty culture in action - finding and serving the higher purpose of business through charitable giving in the communities where Keller Williams Realty associates live and work. The charity gives 100 percent of the donations to Keller Williams Realty family members in need and charities that are aligned with the mission and values of Keller Williams Realty and KW Cares. Keller Williams Realty International, the franchise operation's headquarters, covers the charity's administrative costs. For more information, visit KW Cares at (www.kwcares.org).

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the fifth-largest real estate franchise operation in North America, with 500-plus offices and more than 55,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company's associate-centric culture emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. Keller Williams Realty, which began franchising in 1990, is growing by 1,700 agents a month. Keller Williams Realty agents place high value on professional education and a full-time commitment to real estate sales. For more information, visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com).

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