Compass Supports Local Charities Via Its Charitable Trust Foundation

Co-founded by Richard Stearns, who is considered one of the leading real estate agents on L.A.’s westside, Compass Charitable Trust Foundation benefits from its ongoing Compass Cares program in which a portion of each commission earned on the sale of every home goes to the fund. Each year, up to 20 beneficiaries are chosen to receive that funding, focusing on giving in the areas of children’s services, education, health and disease, and housing.

“Our initial goals were to raise $100,000 annually and grant it to local organizations,” said Stearns. “It is a point of pride that 100% of our agents participate in the fundraising, no matter how large or small.”

Previous beneficiaries have included Aids Project LA, Chrysalis, Concern Cancer Foundation, Heal The Bay, LA Family Housing, Pasadena Ed Foundation, The Judy Fund, US Special Olympics, Venice Family Clinic, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Guide Dogs of America and Step Up on Second.

Stearns’ firm, Partners Trust, was founded in 2009 with the goal of creating a revolutionary real estate culture that required and expected associates to perform at the highest professional and ethical level. Partners Trust grossed over $10 billion in sales and became part of the Compass family in 2018. Compass is now the largest independent real estate brokerage firm in the country.

“The foundation expanded when we became Compass. Our revised 2019 goal is to raise $1 million a year for the foundation in California and $10 million nationwide. We have granted funds to over 100 organizations to date,” stated Stearns. “We are proud to be a part of our community in a meaningful way, and strongly believe that everyone should be charitable, if not with their wallets than with their time and effort.”.

Stearns is also the founder and leader of Stearns + Partners, a leading team of agents within Compass. The elite team includes Lauren Pugatch, who conducts some of the most significant transactions on the westside; Diana Tsow, whose holistic approach to real estate utilizes her experience as an attorney when selling or finding her clients their dream home; and Zoe Wiener, who is adept at selling the city’s most coveted westside real estate.

In addition to real estate and raising funds for Compass Cares, Stearns and his wife, Elizabeth, sit on several boards, raise money for Alzheimer’s and are involved in local and national fundraising, legislation and funding of national health institute initiatives. Richard is very involved with Cornell University and scholarship fundraising, and has headed up the scholarship fundraising program for L.A. for the past 20 years. Elizabeth is also the producer of Still Alice, the film for which Julianne Moore received an Oscar. Still Alice is about a linguistics professor, Moore, who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.

About Richard Stearns, Compass

Richard Stearns is consistently recognized as a top producer by The Wall Street Journal and named to both Variety Magazine's Los Angeles Real Estate Elite and Hollywood Reporter's Top 25 Real Estate Agents. Compass agents are leaders in their markets, consistently ranking highest in customer satisfaction and revenues. For more information, please call (310) 850-9284, or visit www.compass.com.

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