This year’s winners of NAR’s Good Neighbor Awards have proven they can rally their communities to bring relief to those who are suffering or in need.
2024 Good Neighbor Awards winners

One real estate broker in Portland, Maine, turned an investment property into a collaborative workspace for local nonprofits, which became an LGBTQ+ community center.

Another practitioner in Fernandina Beach, Fla., created a nonprofit for autistic young adults in the memory of her daughter, who was on the spectrum and committed suicide at 17 years old.

And another pro in Moab, Utah, opened a free health care clinic to serve a poor, rural community whose nearest hospital was two hours away.

They’re among the five members of the National Association of REALTORS® who were named Monday as the winners of the 2024 Good Neighbor Awards. Celebrating its 25th year, the awards program, which has honored 250 NAR members since 2000, recognizes real estate professionals who are REALTORS® and have made extraordinary contributions to their community through volunteering and community service.

“Good Neighbor Award winners exemplify the spirit of caring and the heartfelt commitment that defines the best of our profession,” says NAR President Kevin Sears. “Their dedication extends beyond traditional real estate boundaries, forging significant, positive changes in their neighborhoods and underscoring the vital role that agents who are REALTORS® play in building stronger, more resilient communities.”

The 2024 Good Neighbor Awards winners are:

Ed Gardner

Ed Gardner, GRI
Gardner Real Estate Group
Portland, Maine

Gardner founded the Equality Community Center, which houses 18 LGBTQ-focused nonprofits under one roof with below-market rent. This arrangement fosters collaboration and increases operational efficiency among the organizations, reducing duplicated efforts. Additionally, he is spearheading the nonprofit’s latest project, the development of a 54-unit affordable housing complex for seniors.

Stacy Horst

Stacy Horst
Keller Williams Atlantic Partners
Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Horst co-founded Erin’s Hope for Friends following the tragic loss of her 17-year-old daughter, Erin, who struggled with social connections and ultimately took her own life. In her memory, Horst and her husband established “e’s Club,” a supportive space for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. The club fosters lasting relationships through joyful interactions and has positively impacted the lives of more than 1,500 individuals.

Dr. Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson, GRI, SRS
Imagine Associates LLC Realty
Ellenwood, Ga.

Johnson, a board member of 100 Black Men of DeKalb and holder of a doctorate in education, leverages his background as a teacher and principal to enhance educational and economic opportunities for African American youth. As a mentor, he teaches financial literacy and leadership skills, and organizes trips to broaden children’s horizons. He has contributed significantly to the growth of the organization at the local and national levels and has helped introduce financial literacy programs for teens to his local real estate board.

Danette Johnson

Danette Johnson
Moab Realty
Moab, Utah

Johnson was a founding member of the Moab Free Health Clinic, which was established in 2008 to serve uninsured and underinsured individuals in this rural and remote area. The clinic handles approximately 3,000 appointments annually, offering primary care, mental health services, vision screening and dental care. Using her real estate expertise, she helped the clinic secure larger facilities due to growing demand for its services.

Charlie Wills

Charlie Wills
Charlie Wills Team–Real Estate Partners
Madison, Wis.

Wills, co-founder of 100 Men of Dane County, initiated a program where 100 community members make a significant impact by committing to donate $4,000 annually. Each quarter, they accept proposals from local nonprofit causes supporting children and select one to receive a $100,000 grant. To date, they have donated more than $2.3 million in grants, primarily benefiting small nonprofits.

Grants to Support Their Causes

Each of the five winners—who were chosen in a multistage, criteria-based judging process—will receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and will be featured in the fall edition of REALTOR® Magazine. They will be honored at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Boston in November.

NAR named five other members as honorable mentions, who will each receive $2,500 grants for their causes:

The public was invited to vote for their favorite of the 10 finalists in September, and the top three vote-getters will receive additional donations for their charities, which is made possible by primary sponsor realtor.com®. This year’s “Web Choice Favorites” are:

  • Gilbreath, who will receive an additional $2,500 bonus donation for The Red Basket Project Inc.
  • Janigian, who will receive an additional $1,250 bonus donation for SHE IS HOPE LA.
  • Horst, who will receive an additional $1,250 bonus donation for Erin’s Hope for Friends.

“The Good Neighbor Awards showcase the exceptional commitment of real estate agents who go above and beyond their professional duties to enrich the lives of so many in their communities,” says realtor.com® chief marketing officer Mickey Neuberger. “We extend our congratulations to this year’s winners, finalists and Web Choice Favorites, and commend every agent dedicated to making the world a better place. It all begins with being a good neighbor.”