The Judy Fund and Compass Combating Alzheimer’s Together

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 later became part of the Compass family in 2018. Compass is now the largest independent real estate brokerage firm in the country. 

“We started the Charitable Giving Fund at Partners Trust in 2009. Our goal was to raise at least $100,000 per year and give it to local organizations and charities in the fields of education, arts, healthcare and children’s care,” said Stearns. “We hit that goal in our very first year, and over the next 10 years raised more than $2 million for our community. Now we are part of the larger Compass Cares organization, but our local fundraising is now around $1 million per year and our national goals are over $10 million per year.”

This year, The Judy Fund was honored to be chosen as one of the three charities selected as a beneficiary by The Compass/PartnersTrust Charitable Foundation, which has granted funds to over 100 organizations to date. Compass, Los Angeles is a major supporter of The Judy Fund and Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

Richard’s wife, Elizabeth Stearns, chaired and organized The Judy Fund Team during the recent Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and agents and staff of Compass supported the annual team by walking with them and assisting with additional fundraising. The Judy Fund National Walk Team had 42 teams nationwide this year and has raised $64,300 to date. 

“Together we are helping the Alzheimer’s Association search for a cure and care for those who are living with or are affected by the disease through the support of our local chapters,” said Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth is a nationally recognized advocate for the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease research and care. Elizabeth’s mother Judy Gelfand was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62, and passed away at 70. In response to the initial diagnosis, Elizabeth, who spent 16 years at Universal Pictures, transitioned from her role to partner with her father, Marshall Gelfand, on the development of The Judy Fund. 

To date, the fund has raised and granted $8.5 million to support the research, care and advocacy efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. In fact, it is the largest and fastest growing fund in the history of the Alzheimer’s Association. Today, The Judy Fund has more than 2,500 donors nationwide and a new goal to raise $10 million by 2020. 

About The Judy Fund

Marshall M. Gelfand and his family established The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer’s Association in 2003 in loving memory of his wife, Judy Gelfand. Its mission is to help create Alzheimer’s survivorship for future generations. Through the generosity of families, friends, business colleagues and corporations, The Judy Fund, now chaired by Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, remains the fastest and largest growing family fund at the Alzheimer’s Association.

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. 

For media inquiries, please call THE NALA at 805.650.6121, ext. 361.