CB Richard Ellis Selects Rebuilding Together and HomeAid as National Charitable Partners

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Apr 15, 2010, 01:31 ET

Leading U.S. nonprofits enhance CBRE Cares corporate philanthropy program

LOS ANGELES, April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CB Richard Ellis has selected Rebuilding Together and HomeAid as its national charitable partners under its corporate philanthropy program, CBRE Cares. The organizations will enhance the company's existing charitable program by working with CBRE offices across the U.S. to help provide shelter and housing for the homeless and homeowners in need.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

The selection of Rebuilding Together and HomeAid is an integral component of CBRE's enhanced corporate philanthropy program, which puts local giving decisions in the hands of CBRE employees. The program also more closely aligned the company's philanthropic endeavors with real estate through the establishment of the CBRE Shelter Program, which specifically focuses on providing shelter and housing to those in need.

To officially kick off the program, the company introduced BuildMonth in September 2010, during which CBRE professionals across the country will "Get Out and Give Back" by participating in housing projects with Rebuilding Together and HomeAid.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for today's homeless, whose mission is to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives.

"We've enhanced our philanthropic program to empower our professionals to directly help their local communities. Our people told us they wanted local empowerment and we are happy to deliver. Our partners in the Shelter Program have a national footprint similar to our own and are very successful at efficiently fulfilling their housing missions. We look forward to making a positive difference in communities across the country," said Chris Kirk, Global Director of Human Resources, CB Richard Ellis.

"Rebuilding Together is excited to join CBRE and its Shelter Program," said Gary A. Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rebuilding Together. "CBRE clearly recognizes the significant need millions of American homeowners face and we applaud them for that commitment. We look forward to having CBRE employees volunteer in communities across the country on projects that make a real difference to many families."

"HomeAid is pleased to partner with CB Richard Ellis and Rebuilding Together for the CBRE Shelter Program. With more than 20 years of experience building and maintaining housing for America's homeless families and individuals, HomeAid is uniquely qualified to provide CBRE's professionals with the opportunity to make a positive impact on thousands of people across the country," said Jeffrey Slavin, Chief Executive Officer, HomeAid. "HomeAid will offer local CBRE employees our expertise in the maintenance of housing facilities for the homeless, so that they can assist the suddenly homeless rebuild their lives in dignified, safe surroundings."

CBRE Cares encompasses the company's philanthropic activities at the local, regional and national levels and is governed by the CB Richard Ellis Foundation, a non-profit, public benefit corporation that funds CBRE's philanthropic and community initiatives. For more information about CBRE Cares, please visit www.cbre.com/cbrecares.

About CB Richard Ellis

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company has approximately 29,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 "best in class" company for three years in a row. Please visit our Web site at www.cbre.com.

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Through the support of corporate sponsors, local businesses and the hands-on work of over 200,000 volunteers led by more than 200 affiliates, Rebuilding Together renovates and repairs nearly 10,000 homes and nonprofit facilities annually. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together renovates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on elder home safety, energy efficiency, veterans housing, and gulf coast recovery. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. Media Contact: [email protected] (202) 518-3500

About HomeAid

HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals. Through the generosity of builders, their trades and their suppliers, HomeAid has completed 200 housing projects nationwide at a cost of more than $160 million, of which $75 million has been donated by the building industry. HomeAid currently has 36 additional projects in development. HomeAid's facilities offer 1,800,000 bed-nights annually through HomeAid's network of 20 active chapters in 15 states. For more information about HomeAid, call 1.888.3HOMEAID or visit www.homeaid.org.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together