BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES BY GIVING BACK
Rooted in our core value of A Spirit of Caring, AvalonBay has a long-standing history of building strong communities by giving back. We deepened our commitment in 2015, and launched our Building Strong Communities philanthropy program and community engagement strategy, which focuses on community preparedness and disaster relief, affordable housing, and support for at risk populations.
In 2018, we contributed $2.1 million cash and in-kind donations and over 14,000 volunteer hours to more than 260 charitable organizations across our markets. Our tradition of sponsoring an annual Spirit of Caring Month also continues to be an important aspect of our philanthropy strategy and in 2019, we celebrated our 8th annual Spirit of Caring Month in May.
FOCUS AREA 1: COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS & DISASTER RELIEF
AvalonBay believes in helping those in need during times of natural and human disasters. We do this by partnering with the American Red Cross and supporting them with a $1 million donation as a Disaster Responder Partner. As part of our partnership in 2018, we hosted 80 blood drives at our communities and offices and donated over 1,600 pints of blood. This brings our total pints of blood donated since 2015 to over 5,000, which could help save more than 15,000 lives. 2019 marks the 5th year of our partnership, which continues to focus on community preparedness and disaster relief. To learn more, click here to view a video about our national partnership with the American Red Cross.
FOCUS AREA 2: AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AvalonBay believes a safe, comfortable home provides a strong foundation for all else in life. We do this by funding:
Mid Atlantic
- Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- Empire Homes
- Habitat for Humanity- Washington DC
- Shelters to Shutters - (Partnership Video)
Boston
Long Island
New Jersey
New York City
- Breaking Ground
- Habitat for Humanity - New York State
- New Destiny Housing Corporation
- NYU Furman Center
- Union Settlement
Northern California
- Bridge Housing
- Destination Home
- Habitat for Humanity - Northern CA
- Housing Industry Foundation
- Mission Housing
- Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern CA
- Operation: Dignity
Pacific Northwest
Southern California
- Families Forward
- Habitat for Humanity - Greater Los Angeles
- HomeAid - San Diego
- Homes for Heroes
- Skid Row Housing Trust
Virginia Beach
FOCUS AREA 3: SUPPORT FOR AT-RISK POPULATIONS
AvalonBay believes in supporting at-risk populations in our local communities to improve their quality of life. We do this by supporting regional charities such as:
Mid Atlantic
- Arlington Free Clinic
- A Wider Circle
- District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH)
- Doorways for Women and Families
- Horizon Day Camp
Boston
Connecticut
- Connecticut Food Bank
- Lifting Up Westchester
- Operation Hope
- Sunrise Day Camp - Pearl River
- Together We Rise
Long Island
New Jersey
New York City
Pacific North West
Southern California
Virginia Beach