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An innovative real estate agency, launched in the Australian market last week, combines property services with philanthropy by pledging 20 per cent of its commission to registered charities.
For each transaction, landowners individually donate half of Radley Property’s 20 per cent to their chosen charity. This donation is made in the vendor’s name, does not impact their profit and is tax deductible. Radley Property invests the other half to their non-profit education partners, Room to Read and the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
“We want to give landowners and developers the opportunity to engage in philanthropy by simply selling their property with us. While the business model reflects our values, we are also mindful that our commission needs to be relevant and competitive to the market,” Radley Property founder and director, Belinda Bentley, said.
Ms Bentley and fellow director Michael Radovnikovic have been members of Philanthropy Australia’s New Generation of Giving Program for two years. Both directors have had extensive careers in the property industry, and regularly contribute to property and arts not-for-profit organisations.
“We were inspired by the social change that was disrupting other sectors through the growing number of social enterprises and ‘profit with purpose’ businesses,” Ms Bentley said.
“When we looked at our own industry, we were disappointed that not much has changed.”
“We have experienced firsthand what it’s like to give back and we want landowners to have a similar opportunity to consider the causes they care about. By promoting philanthropy through property, we are able to reach a greater population without affecting their bottom line.”
Radley Property services inner Sydney (inner west, eastern suburbs and north shore), focusing on residential and commercial sales, as well as project-marketing for development sites.
“Impact drives us as a company – we’re a property group with a social conscience,” Ms Bentley said.
She added that with technology, the agency has no need for a shopfront, allowing it to keep overheads low and create the highest value for clients and non-profit partners.
[Related: Real estate network celebrates milestone]
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