T
he National Association of REALTORS (NAR) is setting the record straight after a recent article in The New York Times mischaracterized its nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA). NAR President Kevin Sears says they provided detailed answers to improve the reporter's understanding of advocacy work, but the Times' reporting still missed the mark.

    The NYT claimed APOA is a "shadowy" pass-through for NAR, but this is not true. NAR publicly announced APOA's launch in 2020 and periodically promotes its work through REALTOR Magazine. The association funds APOA with an annual grant that is fully transparent to members and the public.

    The NYT also claimed nearly $10 million in APOA grants went to Republican-aligned super PACs, but this is incorrect. Opportunity Matters, cited as a recipient, is actually a 501(c)(4) organization, not a super PAC. APOA does not engage in political activity as defined by the IRS.

    APOA was launched to focus on property owners exclusively and emerged from an NAR working group tasked with modernizing advocacy efforts. The idea was approved by NAR's board of directors in 2019. APOA operates independently, with its own board of directors and budget.

    The NYT claimed APOA is a "slush fund" for NAR to funnel untraceable "dark money," but this is also incorrect. NAR and APOA disclose all required advocacy-related expenditures in full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

    APOA's giving is consistent with its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(4) organization, advocating for property owners' rights through direct activities, coalitions, and financial support to other organizations aligned with its mission. The organization's grantmaking process is issues-based, not partisan.

    NAR works with groups on both sides of the aisle, including left-leaning organizations like National Fair Housing Alliance and right-leaning organizations like One Nation. REALTORS Political Action Committee (RPAC) political giving is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

    The NYT claimed NAR gives an enormous proportion of its net revenue to APOA, but this is not true. APOA will receive a $6.6 million grant in 2025 to fund advocacy efforts, which is a planned expense vetted through NAR's governance channels.

    APOA operates independently and is governed separately from NAR. Its Executive Director, Colin Allen, says the organization exists to help property owners make their voices heard, with issue-based grant making that has nothing to do with partisanship.