ALTA Good Deeds Foundation awards $105K in grants, honors late board chair

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) Good Deeds Foundation has awarded $105,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations across the country, the group announced Tuesday during ALTA ONE.

That new round of giving brings the foundation’s total charitable contributions to $1,361,000 since its launch in October 2020.

The announcement came with reflection on the recent passing of Mary O’Donnell, the Foundation’s board chair, former ALTA president, and president and CEO of Westcor Land Title Insurance Co.

O’Donnell, who died Sept. 4, played a central role in creating and advancing the Foundation’s mission. She had also appeared on HousingWire’s annual Women of Influence list.

“Mary was a force for good, not only in the title insurance industry but in communities nationwide,” said ALTA President Richard Welshons. “Her vision for the Foundation was rooted in the belief that our work extends far beyond real estate transactions. These latest grants are a continuation of the good she helped put into motion, and we are proud to honor her legacy by carrying it forward.”

This year’s grants — each totaling $5,000 — were distributed to 21 charities supported by ALTA members. Recipients include:

A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay Inc. (Brandon, Fla.); Anawim Housing (Des Moines, Iowa); Blaine County Housing Foundation (Ketchum, Idaho); Central Park Medical Unit Inc. (New York City); Common Roots Housing Trust (Walla Walla, Wash.); Family Promise of Cheyenne (Cheyenne, Wyo.); FISH of Grand Blanc (Grand Blanc, Mich.); Girl Scouts of Greater New York Troop 6000 (New York City); Gothenburg Impact Center (Gothenburg, Neb.); Gundersen Medical Foundation (La Crosse, Wis.); Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati (Cincinnati); HELP Now AZ (Phoenix); Kickin’ Childhood Hunger (Stillwater, Okla.); Rocky Top Trykes (Farragut, Tenn.); Smoke in the Mountains BBQ & Ribeye Shootout (Fort Davis, Texas); Spare Key (St. Paul, Minn.); The Cornerstone of Beaver County (Beaver Falls, Pa.); The Karen Weidinger Foundation (St. Charles, Mo.); The Lamb Center (Fairfax, Va.); The Priority Center (Santa Ana, Calif.); and The Snoqualmie Fire Lookouts Association (Enumclaw, Wash.).

“The Foundation is a reflection of ALTA members’ generosity and shared commitment to community,” said ALTA CEO Chris Morton. “Each grant strengthens the bonds between title professionals and the neighborhoods they serve. It’s inspiring to see how this collective effort continues to grow, with more than $1.3 million invested in organizations that change lives every day.”

Since its inception, the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation has awarded grants to 234 organizations in 45 states and the District of Columbia — with preference given to housing-related charities.