The world’s largest Santa was saved from demolition in Carpenteria, California and moved to Oxnard, where this novel toy drive started in 2003. Santa to The Sea (STTS), a Yardi-supported nonprofit organization, makes a significant impact by providing toys to over 1,500 kids in Nyeland Acres, one of the most impoverished communities in California, and ensuring holiday dinners for the community families with turkeys. STTS aims to provide every kid in Nyeland Acres with a toy and families a celebratory dinner this holiday season. For some kids, this is the only gift they receive. Yardi’s funding of Santa to The Sea guarantees a sense of joy and community and supports the development and well-being of kids through play. This recognition also teaches kids the value of giving back and empathy towards others. “We are so grateful for your support and would love to see more Yardi team members at the race and toy giveaway,” said Suki Sir, fundraise and sponsorships for Santa to The Sea. Volunteer Opportunities Santa to The Sea welcomes Yardi employees and other community members to get together for a run, walk, and crawl (diaper dash). Enjoy team building with inter-departmental challenges, throw the gauntlet down, and dress up fun! “We want Team Yardi to know that the support you give to the community is vital. It bears repeating: Santa to The Sea and the Nyeland Acres community are grateful for your support. You are invited to come out to the world’s largest Santa and take a group photo! I know Santa personally…” expressed Sir. Check out more photos of Santa to The Sea and a glimpse of the world’s largest Santa! Find future non-profit profiles...

This Yardi-supported nonprofit organization’s mission is to make the world a more inclusive place. Backyard Players & Friends (BYP), founded in 2015 in Rockville Centre, NY, is an inclusive arts-based community program for teens and young adults of all abilities. BYP has opened its own ‘backyard’ space in the heart of Rockville Centre. It also has two additional storefronts: Love, Nana, a community service project and Front Porch Market, which features merchandise and artwork from neurodiverse entrepreneurs. BYP seeks to expand its arts-based classes and community outreach initiatives. In addition, it plans to enhance the training program for participants who wish to work at The Front Porch Market and increase its online presence to create more opportunities for its participants. Funding from Yardi allows BYP to increase its capacity to offer more classes to participants. In 2023, BYP launched two new cooking classes—BYP Test Kitchen and Healthy Eats 101—in its kitchen classroom. Both were possible with Yardi’s support. In the future, BYP hopes to enhance and expand all programs to provide recreational, community-based opportunities to its participants. “Yardi has been an incredibly generous and active supporter of Backyard Players & Friends,” said Cristine Daly, director and co-founder of BYP. She continued, “We held a game night with Yardi staff and BYP participants and attended a movie sponsored by Yardi. Additionally, volunteers from Yardi have attended our Dance-A-Thon Fundraiser. We are grateful for their consistent engagement and support.” Crafting Inclusivity Each year, BYP continues to build its mission of making the world a more inclusive place. In late 2022, BYP launched crafting classes to create a place where participants learn crafting, retail and economic skills related to budgeting, marketing and commerce. In 2023, they launched The Front Porch Market, a retail store that celebrates crafters,...

Attention all adopters, fosters and volunteers! Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is a Yardi-supported nonprofit animal shelter and rescue organization that pioneers comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the most at-risk homeless companion animals and educate others to do the same through its American Pets Alive! nationwide education and outreach division. Austin, a city that has proudly held the title of America’s largest no-kill city for the past nine years, owes much of its success to Austin Pets Alive! This nonprofit organization has been instrumental in helping over 12,000 dogs and cats annually in Central Texas and beyond, providing them with a chance at the life they truly deserve. This year, APA! is redoubling its efforts to save even more pet lives, both within its facilities and by offering hands-on assistance to local shelters. The funding from Yardi enables APA! to continue their life-saving work on a daily basis. “We could not be more grateful for Yardi’s support. We understand that Yardi is committed to the communities they serve, and it’s a privilege to be selected as a recipient of this gift,” said Nigel Fuentes, director of philanthropy and partnerships for APA!. Senior Love Velcro, originally named Beluga, arrived at Austin Pets Alive! in 2022 and spent over 700 days at the Texas rescue. The ten-year-old dog has special needs (deaf and partially blind with neurological and mobility issues), which made it harder to find a suitable adopter until Velcro met Jeanette, a 74-year-old woman who committed herself to spoiling Velcro since bringing the senior dog home. Over time, Jeanette felt the dog was meant for her, and his special needs only made her want him more. After a few days with Jeanette, Velcro became more personable yet still acted like a sedate old gentleman but...

One in ten children will be sexually abused before reaching the age of 18, but working together can make our community a safe place for children. SungateKids is a Yardi-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1993 in Greenwood Village, Colorado, that advocates for children in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. SungateKids mission is to empower children to use their voices, which it believes helps create a world where children are safe and free from abuse. SungateKids provides expert forensic interviewing, victim and family advocacy services, therapeutic support programs and child abuse prevention education. These five programs are provided at no cost to children and families: Forensic Interview Program: SungateKids conducts about 650 interviews per year, each by highly trained, highly skilled interviewers who know how to talk to children in every situation. They also provide a full-time bilingual Forensic Interviewer, and about 20% of all interviews are in Spanish. Family Support Coordination Program: Every family who undergoes a forensic interview receives ongoing support and resources to help them navigate the civil and criminal justice systems and obtain what they need to recover and heal. Families rely on Family Support coordinators for as long as they need because everyone’s healing journey is different. Therapeutic Support Program: On average, therapists assist more than 150 children and caregivers annually with individual counseling and support groups. America is experiencing a mental health crisis, and SungateKids is the only provider in its jurisdiction that offers these specialized services at no charge to children and families. Parent Coaching Program: Parent coaching helps families re-establish the routines of family life that are disrupted when a child is victimized. Parent coaching works in conjunction with therapy to help families heal together. SungateKids SafeKids Child Abuse Prevention...

Stupid Strong is a Yardi-supported nonprofit organization founded in 2014 in Colleyville, TX, dedicated to raising awareness about gastric cancer, advancing research funding, and providing education and support to families in need. Stupid Strong raises awareness and critical research funds for early detection through its fall gala and golf outing, which it hosts annually. “Since 2014, we have granted over $1.6 million to reputable research medical institutions. This funding allows researchers to expand their efforts in early detection and the search for a cure,” said Ashley Elmore, vice president of Stupid Strong. Stupid Strong partners with groundbreaking researchers and leading organizers in the search for a cure for gastric cancer. It is also a founding partner for Test Your Bio Markers, which collects information unique to an individual’s cancer. “We were very surprised and honored to have received the money gift from Yardi’s Non-Profit Giving Campaign in 2022. Jeanine Bowens nominated Stupid Strong in honor of her mother, Renetta Bowens-Garrison, who sadly passed away from stomach cancer,” expressed Elmore. Jeanine Bowens, a team lead for Yardi’s REACH by RentCafé from our Dallas office, shares her quick words of wisdom and compassion towards Stupid Strong: “Stupid Strong is passionately committed to increasing awareness of gastric cancer, fostering research funding, and offering education and assistance to families facing this challenging journey. This mission resonates deeply with me, as I lost my mother to stomach cancer in June 2015. Tragically, my maternal grandmother also succumbed to this illness 30 years prior, significantly impacting our family. Initiatives like those undertaken by Stupid Strong provide a beacon of hope for all those affected, with their unwavering dedication to eradicating stomach cancer through concerted efforts and tireless work.” Volunteer Opportunities Stupid Strong would love to have volunteers for its two events,...

Kinderherzen e.V. is an international organization that excels at research, advocacy, and education. This Yardi Germany-supported nonprofit, founded in 1989 in Bonn, aims to significantly improve the treatment options for children, adolescents, and adults with congenital heart defects worldwide. Conducting research around 20 locations throughout Germany, Kinderherzen develops the latest standards in cardiac medicine. This enables children to receive gentler, less painful treatment and comprehensive therapy. Kinderherzen equips children’s heart centers in Germany and crisis areas worldwide with modern and gentle technology, enabling interventions at the highest medical level. “Therapy measures initiated by us represent highly emotional and social offers for children with heart disease and offer small long-term patients developmental support that encompasses all the senses,” said Maria Zach, press and public relations for Kinderherzen e.V. This organization also promotes measures for further education, exchange and training of doctors and nursing staff. This ensures that all those involved have the best possible expertise long-term. In addition, they provide scholarships for those in pediatric cardiology, which is intended for specialists to further their education and gain experience. Kinderherzen’s international emergency aid enables children with heart conditions from crisis regions to receive life-saving surgery directly in their home country, so they are not torn away from their familiar culture and family environment and do not have to make a long flight to Germany in their poor state of health. “Our volunteer medical expert teams from Germany ensure the best possible cardiac medical care during our surgical missions. We create sustainable structures and help people to help themselves directly on site,” explained Zach. MOHKI Kinderherzen developed the world’s first mobile children’s heart clinic, MOHKI, which opened in January 2024. The first mission took place in El Salvador, where three teams of doctors operated on children with...

One hundred thirty-six million Americans are living with diabetes or prediabetes, a disease that’s one of the fastest growing in the world, with a new diagnosis occurring every 26 seconds. Yardi-supported nonprofit, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), founded in 1940 in Arlington, VA, aims to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected. Locally, the greater New York and New Jersey markets of ADA host different events throughout the year: Research Dinner, Tour de Cure, and State or Diabetes Events that help educate the community and advocate for those with diabetes. In addition to hosting events, staff attends and speaks at various health fairs and community events to continue its mission, education, and advocacy for those with diabetes. “In the face of this epidemic, our mission has never been clearer, and our vision of a life free of diabetes and all its burdens is more critical than ever before,” said Joseph Abrams, director of development for ADA in the Greater NY/NJ market. Through advocacy and education, the ADA aims to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by diabetes. With support from its partners and the diabetes community, ADA is making meaningful progress in spurring new research, putting the most up-to-date information into the hands of health professionals and working to build a more equitable healthcare system. In addition, ADA is making connections through camps and no-cost programs to support people with diabetes. Yardi funding helps support ADA events and campaigns to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by it. Signature campaigns unite everyone to rally around a common cause and the ADA’s vision of a life free of diabetes and all its burdens. These events also serve as an entry point for...

Many people are unaware of the overwhelming crisis of unwanted parrots in captivity. Foster Parrots is a parrot rescue and exotic wildlife sanctuary organization working to protect captive and wild parrots. This Yardi-supported nonprofit was founded in 1999 in Hope Valley, Rhode Island. This New England organization works regionally, nationally and internationally to provide rescue services to parrots needing help, advocate for parrots as wild animals and protect those who still fly free. The legal pet parrot trade perpetuates the decimation of parrot populations in the wild, driving many species toward extinction. A devastating fire occurred at Foster Parrot Sanctuary in April 2021, and three years later, it is finally able to break ground for its reconstruction project. So, with construction chaos in the mix, Foster Parrots strives to maintain quality service for its programs and 380 resident birds! “We run what I believe to be one of the best parrot adoption programs in the country, which enables us to bring rescue services to a greater number of birds in need,” shared Karen Windsor, executive director for Foster Parrots. Foster Parrots also offers valuable humane education programs to the local community. Since the fire, they’ve had to scale back a bit, but they look forward to the day when they can resume a full schedule of educational activities. Yardi funding provides invaluable and direct care support to its birds, including veterinary care, high-quality nutritional support, toys and enrichments that help keep brilliant avian minds engaged and challenged. “Our number one goal is and always will be the care and welfare of our sanctuary residents, and Yardi has been a cherished participant in this work,” said Windsor. She continued, “Yardi’s commitment to community service and philanthropy is rare and profoundly commendable. Your focus on engaging...

Yardi-supported nonprofit CAPSA (Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse), was founded in 1976 in Logan, Utah. CAPSA is at the forefront of confronting domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape within communities across northern Utah and southern Idaho. Their mission transcends providing stats. It is about catalyzing real and lasting change in the lives of those trapped by cycles of violence and abuse—a challenge that knows no borders. “Domestic and sexual violence are pervasive issues that cut across all demographics, impacting countless lives in both visible and hidden ways. These are not just personal or private issues but societal ones that demand comprehensive responses,” explains James Boyd, chief development and marketing officer. CAPSA is dedicated to pioneering innovative solutions that offer safety, empowerment and healing for survivors. Its comprehensive suite of services includes: Emergency shelter 24/7 crisis support Clinical therapy Transitional housing- tailored to meet survivors where they are. Beyond these services, CAPSA is building more robust, more resilient communities through prevention education and advocacy and fostering an environment that encourages survivors to reclaim their autonomy and craft their pathways to recovery. “In the face of growing demands for our services, CAPSA remains unwavering in our commitment to transforming despair into hope and fear into security. We aim to support survivors in their immediate crises and equip them with the tools and resources they need for a future free from violence,” said Boyd. Through collaboration, innovation and community engagement, CAPSA is not only just addressing the symptoms of domestic and sexual violence but also working to eradicate its roots. “Our partnership with supporters like Yardi is instrumental in scaling our impact, enabling us to reach more individuals in need and to continue our mission of creating safe, empowered communities worldwide. Together, we can forge a...

Yardi-supported nonprofit Life Education for All was founded in 2014 in Cluj Napoca, Romania. Life Education for All aims to carry out non-formal education activities for disadvantaged children and young people and renovate and equip schools across the country.   “In the last ten years, we have carried out many projects that have positively impacted over 60 schools in Romania and over 10,000 children,” said Mindrut Oana, president of Life Education for All. Life Education for All plans to renovate at least one school this year and equip ten schools with equipment, furniture and supplies and replace existing infrastructure (lighting and faucets) with equipment that reduces energy consumption. “We will also continue our projects for literacy development, career counseling and entrepreneurial skill development for high school students,” Oana explained. Yardi funding has helped Life Education for All renovate a kindergarten, equip 12 schools in Romania with outdoor learning furniture, and purchase supplies for two other schools in Cluj. Volunteer Opportunities Life Education for All has plenty of volunteer opportunities, including helping with painting schools, arranging and equipping libraries or reading spaces, arranging outdoor learning spaces, setting up ITC laboratories, and more. Find out how to get involved, and Life Education for All will find a volunteer project that suits you best. “Investing in quality education is the best investment we can make for our future as a society,” shared Oana. Find future non-profit profiles...

Yardi-supported nonprofit StreetSmart Australia was founded in 2003 in Melbourne. This organization believes everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home. StreetSmart brings about change for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness by raising funds and awareness to support smaller, grassroots organizations.   “We distribute support and funds back into the regions in which they were raised because, after 20 years of creating place-based impact for those most vulnerable, we believe this is a powerful way of ensuring sustained change,” said Geoff Hills, CEO of StreetSmart. In Australia, the homelessness crisis has increased to five percent over the past four years. Currently, 300 people are turned away each day from Specialist Homelessness Services. Unfortunately, 23% of the population is missing meals, and rough sleeping has surged by 103% over the past two years with the increasing demand and declining fundraising. StreetSmart responds to homelessness in diverse ways, and right now, they are focused on three key outcomes: boosting housing support, increasing access to nutritious food and providing direct material aid to those sleeping rough, such as clothing. StreetSmart commitment to action on homelessness takes many forms, and its work focuses on six key impact pillars: Accessing, setting up, and maintaining safe, secure homes. Feeding people and families going hungry. Breaking the cycle through training, employment, and education Emergency support and essentials for those in crisis Reducing risk through wellbeing and social inclusion Strengthening communities through advocacy and education Funding from Yardi amplifies the depth of StreetSmart’s work by building capacity and scaling its impact, which means more families and people facing homelessness will not be turned away when they seek help but instead be supported into safe homes to call their own, fed a nutritious meal and given bedding to...

Each year, Yardi distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA) is a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, founded in 1991 in New York City. This organization ignites the dance and performing arts community to provide meals, medication, healthcare and hope to performers and those in need nationwide. DRA, through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, is the primary funder of the Entertainment Community Fund and supports over 450 social service organizations in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. See all the social service organizations supported. In 2024, Broadway Cares and DRA will continue support of vital organizations across the country, providing invaluable resources to those living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses. In addition, DRA will strengthen relationships and support the Entertainment Community Fund. Funding from Yardi has a tremendous impact on those in the performing arts and beyond. Every dollar donated allowed DRA to increase support for these organizations and expand its reach. “We are so grateful for the work Yardi does and their support for DRA and Broadway Cares,” expressed Abigail Richards, development officer for DRA. “Your generosity ensures that those without insurance receive lifesaving medication, families in need are provided with warm, healthy meals and allows folks across the country to thrive,” said Richards. She continued, “Your kind hearts and dedication to helping the lives of others do not go unappreciated.” Broadway Performers Hope Becca, a Broadway performer, was diagnosed with colon cancer recently. Overwhelmed with the diagnosis and unsure how to navigate her insurance options, she was still uninsured just days before her surgery. “Because of you, she was able to receive an insurance plan and emergency financial assistance to access the medication she needed,” Richards said. Volunteer Opportunities One of DRA’s...

Asociatia Casuta Bucuriei, a non-governmental organization supported by Yardi Romania, was founded in 2015 in Cluj Napoca, Romania. Casuta Bucuriei is a housing organization that offers a home for ten children from the state protection system. They provide education, housing and a family life to help them grow into independent adults. Casuta Bucuriei plans to refresh the house interior this year since it was last painted almost ten years ago and will be investing in its courtyard. Funding from Yardi helps Casuta Bucuriei continue to provide a safe environment for its children and allows them to finalize improvements needed in the home. “We are grateful for the continued support provided by Yardi,” said Adela Florean, president of Casuta Bucuriei. Andreea’s Story Andreea is the oldest girl hosted by Casuta Bucuriei. She successfully overcame all the difficulties in her life as a child. Coming from a broken home, Andreea and her older brother had several obstacles to endure at the beginning of their lives, from having no acceptance in their immediate family and having to live in parks, bars and wherever they could find shelter. Her brother became part of a street gang and looked out for Andreea as best he could before Andreea found comfort with the owner of the bar she was sleeping in at the age of three. Mrs. Maria took Andreea in so she could attend school and be warm in a comfortable home with love and affection. However, Andreea was eight years old when Mrs. Maria became paralyzed in bed, and Andreea had to enter the state protection system. Andreea found a foster sister in the second foster home, where she finally could feel love again and thrive. Until the age of 14, Andreea had emotional stability and harmonious development,...

NJ Leep, founded in 2007 in Newark, New Jersey, works to close the educational equity gap for first-generation and low-income students with skills, experiences and exposure to achieve their college and career ambitions. NJ Leep starts with students in middle school and lasts through college by building academic and social-emotional skills: Middle School: Students come to NJ Leep in the summer and focus on experiential learning. Ninth Grade: Students participate in the Summer Law Institute, learning about the legal system and careers. Throughout the year, they transition to the Constitutional Law Debate program, which extends to 10th grade. This program helps support students with critical thinking, research skills, analytical writing, public speaking, and self-confidence. Tenth Grade: During the summer, incoming sophomores participate in Week on The Job, a series of four micro-internships designed to expose them to careers. Eleventh Grade: Students participate in the Junior Year Experience, which includes intensive support on standardized test prep. They also continue developing social-emotional skills and learning about college applications. Twelfth Grade: Students receive intensive support on all aspects of the college application and decision-making process, including essay writing, financial aid forms, application completion, and college decision-making. College and Beyond: Students receive ongoing check-ins, access to the NJ Leep network, and regular webinars and events to help them thrive in college. All students attend a twice-monthly Saturday writing program to learn and practice their writing skills in various modalities. NJ Leep hopes to expand its programming by partnering with schools in Newark to create school-based programs to reach more students with NJ Leep opportunities. “Building life skills and social-emotional learning is woven into each program year. Students learn time management, building healthy relationships, communication, task management, building a college-going identity, and more,” said Caryn Tomljanovich, managing director of...