IRPF Makes Big Impact with Few Resources

IRPF and the US Agency for International Development are partners in the support of the Global Real Estate Market Development Program, through the end of 2011. However, at the end of the year, IRPF requires immediate additional funding in order to continue this important programming. USAID’s Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade (EGAT) division and IRPF have collaborated on the development of private real property markets around the world since 2004.

The cooperative agreement between the two organizations finances a large portion of IRPF’s program and operating expenses through the end of 2011. Despite this important funding, IRPF needs additional support in order to continue its role as strengthener of property markets in the developing world. IRPF has been one of the few organizations serving in this capacity since its establishment in 1992, following the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.  IRPF’s programming makes a large impact on the industry while at the same time expending few resources with minimal operating expenses.

Much of the USAID funding helps Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. IRPF has established an East Africa Regional Training and Administrative Center program, a mechanism to deliver technical assistance at an affordable price for newer real estate associations in Uganda and Rwanda and the established one in Kenya. IRPF seeks to continue this important program even after USAID funds are exhausted. 

Helping local real estate industries adhere to international standards is one of IRPF mandates.  Beyond 2011, IRPF plans to model the East Africa Regional Training and Administrative Center concept in other Sub-Saharan countries with the goal of developing indigenous training capacity that can be spread and linked with other regions in the continent.  IRPF hopes to link these African Regional Training Centers with South Africa as well.  Through this achievement, other regions in the continent will deliver high-quality real estate continuing education. 

In South Africa, IRPF has tackled some tough issues. When IRPF began working in South Africa in 2006, the real estate market had a brokerage industry divided between black and white communities, splintered associations without a unified voice for the industry, and a lack of adequate training and professional development. IRPF intervened and brokered a successful merger, creating unity in the real estate industry.  This move furthered the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) interests of the industry. In addition to providing unity among industry professionals, IRPF has offered training for previously disadvantage individuals. IRPF seeks to continue supporting the real estate profession in South Africa but needs additional funding in order to do so.

The International Real Property Foundation (IRPF), an independent, non-profit, public purpose 501c(3) Foundation which works with developing and restructuring countries seeking to strengthen their real property markets and make them more efficient and transparent, has recently achieved notable funding successes in challenging economic times. 

Since 2004, IRPF has partnered with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. USAID supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

In addition to securing funding from the U.S. government, IRPF has successfully raised support from other organizations, like the Leonard P. Reaume Memorial Foundation. Strategic partnerships with other like-minded organizations support IRPF’s mission and objectives and raise awareness for issues IRPF seeks to confront.  IRPF is proud to continue its mission despite a difficult economic climate, especially for the global real estate industry. Without funding beyond 2011, IRPF’s future is in question.