February 9, 2026
Claire Brenneman
Being a REALTOR® means more than helping people buy and sell homes. It means being part of a community, showing up, lending a hand, and using your time and talents to care for the places and people that make Northwest Montana home.
At the Northwest Montana Association of REALTORS®, community involvement is a core value. Our members volunteer, serve on nonprofit boards, organize fundraisers, mentor youth, protect natural resources, and quietly do meaningful work that often goes unseen. We know it is happening and we want to celebrate it.
The NMAR Good Neighbor Award
One-way NMAR recognizes community service is through the Good Neighbor Award.
This award honors a REALTOR® who has made a significant impact through volunteer work or charitable involvement in our local communities. It is not about one-time acts or big headlines, it is about consistent commitment, genuine care, and making a difference where it counts.
The Good Neighbor Award:
- Recognizes REALTORS® who go above and beyond in community service
- Highlights volunteerism that strengthens Northwest Montana
- Includes a charitable contribution to the nonprofit or cause connected to the recipient’s work
- Reflects the REALTOR® commitment to ethics, service, and leadership beyond real estate
If you know a fellow member who embodies these values or if you are quietly doing the work yourself, this award is meant for exactly that kind of impact. Click the link here to learn more.
In addition to NMAR recognition, members can also be considered for the national NAR Good Neighbor Awards, which honor REALTORS® making an extraordinary impact in their communities. Nominations are open until April 10th. Application linked here.
Giving Back Is Part of Who We Are
NMAR members give back in countless ways, from organized association efforts to individual passions that support schools, families, housing initiatives, environmental causes, and more. These efforts strengthen trust, build relationships, and remind our communities that REALTORS® are invested far beyond the transaction.
Sometimes it is easy to overlook the good work we are doing because it feels normal or simply part of life. But sharing these stories matters. It inspires others, strengthens our association, and reinforces the positive role REALTORS® play across Northwest Montana.
How We Celebrate Community Impact
Every quarter, NMAR highlights members who are making a difference in At Home Magazine. These features appear in three different types:
- Q&A with a member doing impactful work
- Doing Good highlighting volunteerism and community service
- Updates from Erica Wirtala, our Public Affairs Director
These stories are our way of recognizing REALTORS® throughout the year for the time, energy, and heart they pour into our communities. They help share the good work happening across Northwest Montana and inspire others to get involved. BUT there is so much more to celebrate!
Let’s Tell the Story
We encourage you to take a moment and reflect:
- Are you volunteering in your community?
- Are you involved with a nonprofit or local cause?
- Do you know a REALTOR® who deserves recognition for their service?
Whether it is submitting a nomination for the Good Neighbor Award or sharing what you are involved in, we want to hear from you. Together, we can shine a light on the many ways our members give back and continue building stronger communities, one act of service at a time.