The National Association of Realtors (NAR’s) political action committee (PAC) has built a reputation for supporting candidates from both parties equally, ensuring a bipartisan approach to advancing the interests of real estate professionals.
However, a new New York Times article by Debra Kamin questions NAR’s claims of political neutrality—and sheds additional light on its spending habits. This follows Kamin’s November report about six-figure perks for “volunteer” leaders.
The latest NYT article centers on the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA), a nonprofit created in 2020 and funded by NAR. Tax records show that APOA has allocated $10 million of its $12.8 million in grants to Republican-aligned groups over the past four years, according to the Times report.
But does the article have it right? A NAR spokesperson noted several “inaccuracies” from the article in a fact check shared with BAM. Let’s take a look.
Where Did APOA Money Go?
On its website, APOA states its mission is,
“The American Property Owners Alliance supports commonsense solutions to address today’s most pressing housing issues.”
Yet, according to an examination of APOA’s tax records by The New York Times, only one organization that received a grant between 2020 and 2023 listed housing or property rights among its goals. That Republican-aligned organization was Americans for Tax Reform, which received $25,000.
Among the other grants distributed by APOA, a significant portion was directed toward groups aligned with conservative agendas. Here’s a breakdown, according to NYT:
- One Nation: Received $7 million. This nonprofit is aligned with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and contributes to the Senate Leadership Fund, the largest super PAC for Senate Republicans.
- American Action Network: Received $2.5 million. Founded by former Senator Norm Coleman and Fred Malek, this Republican advocacy group supports conservative causes.
- Opportunity Matters: Received $100,000. This Republican-aligned super PAC focuses on promoting conservative policies.
- American Unity Fund: Received $100,000. A Republican-aligned LGBTQ advocacy group that champions same-sex marriage.
- House Majority Forward: Received $3 million. This organization is a key contributor to the Democratic House Majority PAC, a leading super PAC for Democrats.
- National Black Empowerment Council: Received $40,000. This nonpartisan group aims to close the wealth gap between Black Americans and other groups.
- Douglass Leadership Institute: Received an unspecified amount. This Christian group focuses on the Black community and campaigns to reduce abortions within this demographic.
Response from NAR
While the Times report states a disproportionate amount of APOA’s grants go to conservative organizations, a NAR spokesperson stated this is a myth.
“APOA has an issues-based grantmaking process to organizations on both sides of the aisle,” the NAR spokesperson said. “Cherry-picking data can tell one story, but a holistic review of APOA giving reveals that its giving is split and changes from year to year based on current priorities. For example, in 2023, more than 70% of APOA grant disbursements were made to left-leaning organizations. APOA also does much more by way of advocacy than grants alone.”
Questions Raised about APOA’s Grants
Partisanship aside, the grants distributed by the APOA are raising concerns among NAR members. One issue is whether the funding aligns with real estate interests.
Recipients of APOA grants often have a variety of priorities, a report against critical race theory (One Nation), a campaign to reduce abortions (The Douglass Leadership Institute), and advocacy for same-sex marriage (American Unity Fund).
When Allison Deutsch, an agent with Oxford Property Group in New York, learned where funding was going, she was “horrified,” she told the Times. “Critical race theory and abortion are completely irrelevant to the world of real estate. They should keep their nose out of it. They are a trade association.”
Another issue—and this is not a new concern among members—is how NAR dues are being used. Tony Mancuso, the immediate past president of the Washington D.C. Association of Realtors, brought this up at an annual NAR meeting. He asked for clarity about the APOA’s process but received no answers.
“The Alliance was given control over what is basically a slush fund,” Mancuso said. “But the money in that account is our dues money.”
However, a spokesperson stated that the idea that NAR is giving an “enormous proportion of its net revenue to APOA” is another myth.
“NAR’s grants to APOA reflect the importance of property ownership to our members and overall mission,” the NAR spokesperson said. “APOA will receive a $6.6 million grant in 2025 to fund its advocacy efforts. This is a planned expense that is vetted through NAR’s governance channels and will be reported in our future expenditure disclosures. In no way does this grant represent a disproportionate amount of NAR’s budget.”
NAR Weighs in with a Fact Check Statement
The American Property Owners Alliance told The New York Times it “has acted in a manner consistent with that of a section 501(c) (4) advocacy organization.”
It also stated that the grants “advance APOA’s own agenda and, while not direct program activity, advance the interest of property owners and their rights.”
Monday evening, a NAR spokesperson emailed a “fact check” statement. In it, the spokesperson said:
“Both NAR and APOA are nonpartisan organizations and our expenditures across the political spectrum reflect the industry’s support for organizations and policymakers who champion policies that are important to consumers and real estate practitioners. In addition to groups like One Nation and the American Action Network, NAR works with groups like National Fair Housing Alliance, Mobility Works, National Housing Conference, Up for Growth Action, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, National Homelessness Law Center, International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies, MLK Memorial Foundation, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
“REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) political giving is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. These expenditures are searchable at FEC.gov. See RPAC reporting here and NAR Congressional Fund reporting here.”
For a look at NAR’s complete list of “NYT Myths,” read the emailed statement here.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include a statement from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which was received after the initial publication.
