Advancing the profession and improving communities
2025 IMPACT REPORT
2025
anne
marie decatsYE, esq. CEO, Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS
As a valued member of Canopy Realtor® Association and/or subscriber to Canopy MLS, I am pleased to share this report highlighting the tangible benefits and resources Canopy delivered in 2025 and plan to expand in 2026. These data-backed achievements are made possible by committed staff and volunteer leaders serving on the Board of Directors.
Throughout this report, we have highlighted Realtor® member benefits and resources to help grow your business and navigate industry challenges. Your Realtor® membership provides three levels of benefits at the local, state, and national levels. As your local professional trade association, we consider it a priority to remind and encourage members to take full advantage of these benefits.
The Association and its Real Estate Institute strive to support your education and professional development, including the pursuit of designations and certifications. The Association’s government affairs through REBIC (Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition) coordinates advocacy efforts that protect the real estate industry, Realtors®, and consumers.
This report tells the story of how diversity and inclusion have been cornerstone attributes of Canopy for more than 20 years. Our initiatives will continue to grow as we see our membership and communities become more diverse. Canopy is more than local; it is now on the global stage after successfully launching Canopy Global, providing our members with expanded opportunities to serve consumers around the world.
Many factors have contributed to Canopy’s success, especially our commitment to innovation and investing in the future of housing. Just two short years ago, Canopy Housing Foundation launched the Canopy Innovation Award, challenging college and university students to develop creative solutions to housing affordability. Last year, students from UNC Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community
“Many factors have contributed to Canopy’s success, especially our commitment to innovation and investing in the future of housing.”
College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Haywood Community College impressed us with forward-thinking ideas, leading to $10,000 in scholarships and a Realtors® Choice Award.
Canopy MLS also became the first MLS in NC to allow subscribers who are not Realtors®, while expanding platform choice for subscribers with the addition of Paragon Connect. These efforts were complemented by several strategic partnerships and investments, including the launch of Rayse—an innovative platform that provides real-time visibility into agent activity throughout the transaction lifecycle, strengthening transparency, trust, and communication between agents and consumers. Rental Beast, an all-in-one rental platform, was expanded to include an “apply now” online application feature in OneHome. We also introduced Ardi, an AI-powered assistant, designed to enhance subscriber support.
Additionally, Canopy MLS was at the forefront of a collaborative venture with Broker Public Portal to create Cribio, a national home search experience that connects consumers directly with the agent who best knows the home in which they are interested. This smarter and faster way to search homes is front and center on our publicfacing website Carolinahome.com.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your professional trade association and your MLS provider—we’re grateful for your trust and look forward to supporting your continued growth as you serve your clients.
Anne
Marie DeCatsye, Esq. CEO Canopy Realtor® Association/Canopy MLS
Here Are the Many Ways Canopy Realtor® Association Served You in 2025
Canopy Realtor® Association focused on strengthening professionalism, protecting the industry, and elevating Realtor® value. Through responsive member services, ethical oversight, advocacy, leadership development, education, and consumerfacing campaigns, the Association delivered meaningful support to more than 14,000 Realtor® members, helping them operate confidently, competitively and in compliance in a rapidly evolving market.
MEMBER SERVICES
Member Services served as the front door to the Association in 2025, delivering faster onboarding, clearer communication, and responsive support.
KEY OUTCOMES
The Front Door to the Association
Improvements to orientation timelines, billing communications, and real-time alerts helped members stay focused on their business.
• Accelerated new member orientation from 90 days to 30 days
• 24-hour response standard for calls and inquiries
• Streamlined billing and account communications
• Prominent placement of RAMCO dashboard to make payments
• Expanded use of text alerts for time-sensitive notices
• Promoted awareness of AutoPay and increased adoption
“Efficient service allows members to focus less on administration and more on serving clients.”
Carla Gaydos Member Services Manager
If you need information about Canopy Realtor® Association member benefits, please reach out to membership@ canopyrealtors.com
If you need information about Canopy MLS member benefits and subscriber tools, please contact support@canopyrealtors.com.
2025 Member Services by the numbers canopyrealtors.com
14,100 Realtor®members
345 Affiliate members
1,204 new Realtor® members
41,076 calls answered
36,201 emails responded to
Professional Standards and Ethics
Canopy’s Grievance and Professional Standards Committees upheld the REALTOR® Code of Ethics through fair, consistent, and transparent processes. By managing ethics complaints, hearings, and MLS compliance matters, the Association reinforced professionalism while protecting both consumers and members.
2025 activity
PROTECTING INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM
41 ethics complaints reviewed 16 ethics hearings conducted
2025 sales snapshot
1,688 lockboxes sold
3,112 Working with Real Estate Agents® pamphlets
16,687 total items sold
“Strong ethical standards protect both the profession and the public.”
Michele McCaskill General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer
5 MLS appeal hearings held 2 citations issued
TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR
BUSINESS
THE REALTOR® STORE
The Realtor® Store expanded its product offerings to support member branding, marketing, and professional development needs. Member-priced materials, new signage options, and expanded open house products helped agents present themselves professionally while supporting ongoing education and compliance.
• New sign riders (Down Payment Assistance, In-Law Suite, 55+ Community)
• Branded business accessories and portfolios
• Expanded open house signage and display products What was
Advocacy AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Through coordinated advocacy efforts, Canopy protected property rights, advanced housing solutions, and amplified Realtor® voices at the local and state levels. Legislative wins, infrastructure investment, land-use reforms, and voter engagement efforts demonstrated the tangible impact of Realtor® advocacy in 2025.
National Advocacy Delivered Results
for
Realtors® and Property Owners
Protecting property rights and
Additional NAR housing and consumer wins
• VA Home Loan Reform Act : Signed in July, the act requires the VA to establish a permanent policy ensuring veterans can directly pay their real estate agents
• Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act : Signed into law on September 5, 2025, this bipartisan bill bans “mortgage credit trigger leads,” preventing lenders from purchasing consumer data to make unsolicited calls during the mortgage process.
• Affordable Housing & Supply:
PROTECTING PROPERTY RIGHTS AND ADVANCING HOUSING SOLUTIONS
In 2025, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) secured several major legislative victories, primarily through the passage of the Working Families Tax Cut Act , which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
Key tax reform victories
The Working Families Tax Cut Act included all five of NAR's top federal priorities:
• SALT Deduction Cap Increase: Temporarily quadrupled the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000 for a five-year period.
• Business Income Deduction: Permanently extended the Section 199A Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction at an enhanced 23% rate, benefiting independent contractors and small business owners.
• Mortgage Interest Deduction: Secured a permanent extension of this deduction to support long-term homeownership incentives.
• Investment Protections: Protected 1031 like-kind exchanges and business SALT deductions, which are critical for property investment and economic growth.
• Individual Tax Rates: Permanently extended lower individual tax rates originally established in 2017.
• Secured permanent improvements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to boost affordable housing development.
• Advanced the ROAD to Housing Act , which aims to cut red tape for housing projects and improve the home appraisal process.
• Flood Insurance: Reauthorized the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2026, ensuring continued access to coverage for homeowners.
NC REALTORS® (NCR)
NCR Government Affairs department lobbies for real estate interests, private property rights, and tracks legislation at the state and local levels.
key achievements
• Secured successful amendments to legislation modifying licensing procedures (NC SB 690) to benefit all members, protect individuals studying for an appraiser license, and support property managers.
• Achieved passage of a bill to expedite the Removal of Unauthorized Persons from private property (NC SB 55).
Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (REBIC)
REBIC serves as the government affairs arm of Canopy Realtor® Association. Its mission is to drive positive outcomes for those working to build a healthy real estate market in the Charlotte region by using our voice to advocate, educate, connect, and advise.
key achievements
• Facilitated passage of the Mecklenburg County Transportation Referendum, generating $19 billion in long-term infrastructure funding.
• Secured policy wins supporting housing supply, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and adaptive reuse.
• Engaged advocacy staff to represent the Western Region/ Haywood County.
• Defeated a proposed code change for Waynesville Short Term Rentals that would have significantly limited property owners’ rights.
• Eliminated an increased road depth requirement in Statesville, reducing unnecessary cost and making housing more attainable.
• Advanced policy changes for better development outcomes in Mooresville through changes to the land use plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
• Strengthened community relations around initiatives focused on water, sewer, and Inter Basin Transfer.
• Secured a $135,000 grant from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance to engage with upstream Catawba River communities in an effort to build a broad coalition for future water initiatives.
NC REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (RPAC)
• Partnered with the City of Charlotte to allow for more flexibility for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development, resulting in more than 250 new ADU permits
• Conducted focus groups and survey research in Iredell and Mecklenburg County yielding new insights into voter perspectives on growth.
• Placed real estate industry professionals on key advisory boards, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and the UDO Advisory Committee.
• Hosted the Sixth Annual UNC Charlotte’s Children Klein Center for Real Estate Housing Summit, highlighting Charlotte’s growing housing market using data provided by Canopy MLS.
• Distributed Voter Guides for both the Primary Election and General Election within Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Union Counties.
All of these advocacy wins would not be possible without elected officials who understand the importance of our industry and the significant role it plays in a thriving region. The NC REALTORS® RPAC supports candidates who support federal and state legislation and local ordinances, and policies that promote home ownership, attainable housing, and positive economic growth for our region. NC REALTORS® RPAC investments from Canopy Realtor® Association members last year totaled nearly $200,000
“Advocacy creates the conditions that allow real estate and communities to thrive.”
Rob Nanfelt Executive Director, Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition
Leadership AcadeMY
Developing the next generation of leaders
Since 1999, the Canopy Leadership Academy has developed, informed, engaged, and prepared service-oriented Realtors® to lead within the Association, MLS, Foundation, and broader community. Graduates continue to strengthen the profession and expand Canopy’s impact through meaningful leadership and service.
program impact
• 294 graduates since inception, including 8 graduates in 2025
• 55% serve on committees
• 24.5% have served on Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS, and Canopy Housing Foundation Boards of Directors
• 5.2% have served on the Executive Committee
• 2 have served as NC REALTORS® presidents
Education and Engagement
Preparing members to navigate change
Canopy delivered timely, relevant education through Realtor® Hot Topics, Broker-in-Charge Briefings, and the annual Canopy EXPO. These programs equipped members with practical knowledge on compliance, risk management, market conditions, and emerging industry trends.
2025 highlights
• 1,700+ members attended sessions.
• Topics ranged from NAR settlement impacts and NC forms changes to economic development and firm risk management.
• Market data training delivered directly by Canopy staff.
• “Northern Region: Iredell County Economic Development” with Jenn Bosser, President & CEO of Iredell County Economic Development Corporation.
• ”Mortgage Lending After the NAR Settlement,” co-hosted with the Charlotte Regional Mortgage Lenders Association (CRMLA).
• “Northern Region: Empowering Realtors® - Championing Your Client's Homeownership and Property Rights“ with Rob Nanfelt of REBIC, Sallie Myrick, and Allen Dargins, NC REALTORS® Region 8 RPAC Trustees.
• “The Power of Down Payment Assistance: Tools and Insights for Realtors® and Lenders” hosted with the Charlotte Regional Mortgage Lenders Association.
• “Northern Region: How the Proposed 2055 Transportation Plan Impacts the Northern Region + Candidate Forum” with Mayor Christopher Carney, Town of Mooresville; Mayor Russell Knox, Jr., Town of Davidson, and Allen Dargins, Chair, Canopy Realtor® Association Government Affairs Committee and 2026 Association President-Elect.
• “Why should I be a Realtor®? What does NAR do for me?” presented by Joe Harris, Vice President of Government Advocacy with NAR.
• “Safety Camp at Canopy Realtor® Association” featured presentations on MLS safety tools, community preparedness tactics, a keynote from “Tracey, the Safety Lady" Hawkins, and CPR training.
• “North Carolina 2025 Forms Changes” featuring panelists Steve Barnes, NC REALTORS® Forms Committee, 2025-2026 Chair; Amy Baker, NC REALTORS® Forms Committee, 2025-2026 Immediate Past Chair, and John Wait, NC REALTORS® Legal Counsel, Martin & Gifford, PLLC.
BROKER-IN-CHARGE
BRIEFINGS
• “Elevate Agent Value and Transparency” presented by Rayse.
• “Do You Have it in Writing?” Creating a firm policy manual that boosts firm productivity and increases professionalism while minimizing risk,” led by Jo Mangum.
• “Beyond Compliance: Proactive Risk Strategies for Real Estate Firms” with Janet Thoren, Legal Counsel and Director of the Regulatory Affairs Division of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
• “Market Data and Analytical Tools: Find It! Learn! Use It!” presented by Canopy’s Broker Relations team (also offered to agents).
WESTERN REGION/ Haywood County
• Canopy Realtor® Association held two meetings to provide members updates from local officials.
• Zeb Smathers, Mayor, City of Canton, and Bryant Morehead, County Manager, Haywood County were featured speakers.
CANOPY EXPO
Brought nationally recognized speakers and regional economic leaders together to address the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate industry.
Featured sessions
• RENOVATED™ with Dr. Jennifer Keitt
• Content strategy with Katie Lance
• Regional economic outlook panel with Charlotte, Asheville, and York County CEOs and economic development leaders
FAIR HOUSING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
“Diversity and Inclusion Alliance E3 Summit:
Educating, Engaging and Empowering
Realtors®” featured:
• “How to Stay in the Game When You are Down on Points” presented by Felicia Hall Allen, Felicia Hall Allen & Associates
• “Game Plan for Growth: Building Your Enterprise and Expanding Your Business” presented by John Ham, Vice President, Center for Strategic Partnerships at National Institute of Minority Economic Development
• “Elevate Your Game Beyond the Sale: Exploring Real Estate Niches” panel discussion
• “A Winning Playbook: The Do’s and Don’ts of Serving Clients with Special Needs” (This session satisfied NAR’s Fair Housing requirement.)
2025 impact
STREnGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND THE PROFESSION
Canopy’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives reinforced fair housing principles while fostering education, engagement, and community partnerships. Through training, advisory groups, service projects, and signature events, members strengthened their ability to serve diverse clients and communities responsibly.
• Engaged more than 1,300+ members in educational and networking events hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and its Advisory Groups: African American Advisory Group, Latin American Advisory Group, Asian American Advisory Group, and LGBTQ Advisory Group.
• Expanded multicultural partnerships by participating in and hosting events, including:
• Charlotte Pride Festival
• 5th Annual Latin American Festival
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Charlotte’s Brooklyn: Examining its History and Future
• Hosted Fair Housing Month in April, offering members the opportunity to participate in numerous events and trainings to increase their knowledge and strengthen their commitment to fair housing, including:
• Stand Up for Housing Equity Challenge, helping members confront and address biases to honor the Fair Housing Act
• NAR’s Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing training
• NAR’s Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation Training and the At Home With Diversity® course
• Annual Fair Housing Celebration featuring Incognito, a one-man autobiographical play by author, actor, and thought-leader Michael Fosberg
• Supported community service initiatives through Realtors® Care Day, the Strides for Shelter 5K, and the Pearl Street Park Stream Clean-Up.
canopy global
Canopy Global expanded opportunities for members interested in international real estate by delivering education, research, and global connections. Programming, surveys, and recognition positioned members to better understand and participate in cross-border transactions and global investment trends.
Expanding opportunities beyond borders.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
“Serving diverse communities responsibly isn’t just right, it makes us better professionals and strengthens trust in real estate.”
Karyn Lindsey VP, DIA, Global and Realtor® Professional Development
• Conducted the International Residential Transactions survey in partnership with NAR.
• Launched Canopy Global web resources
• Produced two Inside the Canopy Files podcasts focused on global business.
• Hosted a virtual Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute, where 33 students completed all five courses and four completed individual courses.
• Delivered global education and networking events, including:
• “Intro to Global Success: Expand Your Real Estate Horizons!” where speakers from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, NAR Global, and NC REALTORS® Global shared data and insights on international business activity in the region, including foreign direct investment (FDI) trends.
• “Insights and Strategies for the Global Real Estate Professional”, a half-day event featuring presentations from NAR, NC REALTORS® Global, Realtor.com International, ListHub Global, City of Charlotte, and legal strategies for working with international buyers presented by Soto Law Firm. Canopy members who earned the CIPS designation were recognized.
National recognition
Canopy was presented the Platinum-level NAR Global Achievement Award in recognition of providing members with the highest level of global service and support.
Marketing, Media, and Realtor® Value
Canopy’s marketing and media efforts equipped members with tools to explain the market, demonstrate their value, and engage consumers. Data-driven resources, consumer education campaigns, and consistent media presence positioned Realtors® and Association leadership as trusted market experts.
Brokerrelations.canopyrealtor. com posted reliable content from Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS, NC REALTORS®, SC REALTORS®, and NAR including:
• Training
• Education and professional development
• Compliance education
• Updates on the latest technology tools
• Data licensing
“BIC Briefs” kept brokers informed and the first-to-know about:
• October housing market and regional recap
• Canopy’s expansion of sponsorship opportunities for firms
• September housing market and regional recap
• Cryptocurrency and other scams targeting real estate professionals
• Future governance updates, policy reminders, and BIC workshop
“Across every Canopy entity, our communications strategy centers on one goal — strengthening the visibility, credibility, and value of the Realtor® brand and the power of the MLS for agents and their clients.”
Kim McMillan, VP of Marketing & Communications
2025 outcomes
• 247 Reasons Realtors® Add Real Value was downloaded 42,250+ times.
• RealtorValue.com reached a total of 36,000+ users, of which 34,000 also visited the Spanish-language pages.
• Generated over 12,500 Grab-and-Grow downloads.
• Produced 6,602,914 mobile views and 6,522,793 billboard impressions through consumer education campaigns.
• Issued 48 regional press releases using Canopy MLS data.
• Secured 20+ media interviews positioning Canopy leadership as market experts.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
The Finance and Accounting Department analyzes fiscal performance to carry out the organization’s financial strategy through risk management, forecasting cash flows and investment strategies.
The Association maintained a strong financial position in 2025, delivering disciplined expense management while continuing to invest in technology, advocacy and member programs. We ended the year with a positive operating result and reserves that provide stability and strategic flexibility.
Copies of the Association’s tax return and budget can be accessed on the Canopy Realtors® Association website under Association Overview/Finance.
“Having financial responsibility for Canopy involves careful stewardship of revenue and expenditures to ensure future stability. Establishing accountability across all monetary avenues is essential to the economic and fiscal health of our organization and allows us to maintain the highest standards of fiscal oversight”.
Chief Financial Officer
Michelle McCool,
Canopy Realtor® Association and Canopy MLS
How CREI Advanced Education, Compliance, and Career Readiness in 2025
Canopy Real Estate Institute (CREI) strengthened the real estate profession by delivering the education required to legally practice, while expanding professional development opportunities that support long-term career success. Through exceptional instructors, strategic partnerships, high examperformance outcomes, and innovative programs, CREI ensured students and brokers were prepared to work in our rapidly changing industry.
Professional development and continuing education
What CREI delivered
• Expanded CE and on-demand learning options through national partners
• Customized CE for residential and commercial firms
• Broker-in-Charge–focused training reinforcing compliance and supervision
• Collaborative workshops with Broker Relations to improve firm engagement
Why it mattered
• Supported compliance without disrupting business operations
• Increased utilization of Canopy education resources
• Strengthened firm-level professionalism
Relevant and timely curriculum
CREI offered courses addressing today’s most pressing topics, including:
• Fair Housing and Ethics
• Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
• New Construction and Inspections
• Investors, Commercial, and 1031 Exchanges
• NC Forms and Transaction Risk
Beyond licensing, CREI expanded access to continuing education and firm-level training.
New educational offerings reflected changing market conditions, technology, and consumer expectations.
• Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS) Institute
• Liars, Cheaters, and Thieves: Averting Client Catastrophe v1.0 (self-paced)
• Millennials: Challenging the Traditional Real Estate Model v1.0 (self-paced)
• Repurposing Property: Friend, Foe, or the American Dream v1.0 (self-paced)
• Understanding 1031 Tax-Free Exchanges v4.0 (self-paced)
• Fair Housing Principles, Ethics, and Pathways to Professionalism
• Investors Assemble!
• Cons, Scams and Hacks
• Let’s Talk About MOHO’s – Manufactured and Modular Homes
• Real Life Real Estate: Refresher for Contract Red Flags and Home Inspection Issues
• The AI Advantage
• Avoid Disaster: Master the NC Home Inspector Standards of Practice
• Navigating the Transaction Minefield
• CRE Property Types – Commercial
• CRE Transaction Lifecycle: The Basic Competencies – Commercial
• New Home Construction and Buyer Representation Certificate
Building the talent pipeline
CREI expanded awareness of real estate careers by engaging students, educators, and future professionals across the region.
key focus areas
• Outreach through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) career fairs and events
• Participation in CMS Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
• Real-world exposure to real estate careers, entrepreneurship, and compliance
• Academic partnerships with UNC Charlotte’s Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
Why it mattered
• Strengthened workforce readiness
• Introduced students to regulated, professional career pathways
• Built long-term awareness of real estate as a viable profession
CREI maintained its reputation for instructional excellence by collaborating with leading educators and continuously elevating teaching standards.
Highlights
• Strengthened partnerships with the Real Estate Educators Association (REEA)
• Earned national recognition for CREI instructors, including:
• Gold Star Instructor designation
• 2025 Larry A. Outlaw Excellence in Education Award
• Became a founding member of the B.E.A.T.S. Alliance (Bringing Educators and Associations Together for Success), advancing best practices, accountability, and innovation in education. The Alliance held its inaugural conference in April in Oklahoma City.
Why it mattered
Exceptional instruction and industry leadership
• Ensured curriculum quality and consistency
• Reinforced trust with regulators and industry partners
• Positioned CREI as a leader in real estate education
CREI prioritized measurable outcomes and student success.
• 100% pass rate on NC Broker Prelicensing exams in Q2
• Perfect synchronous exam performance in Q2 and Q3
• Continued success through #CanopyPrepped and national exam-prep partnerships
Learning platform impact
• Expansion of Canopy Campus as a centralized learning hub
• 4,585 new user accounts created in 2025
• 7,750 new course enrollments
• 41,790 total course enrollments to date
workforce housing and community impact
CREI relaunched its Workforce Housing Certificate program as the Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Program
Program enhancements
• Broader curriculum including fair housing, financing, and affordability
• New Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Specialist designation
• Launched community partner initiative with Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) teachers to provide homeownership eduation
• Increased collaboration with Canopy Housing Foundation
• Expanded sponsor and community engagement
Why it mattered
• Prepared Realtors® to serve workforce and publicservice professionals
• Strengthened affordable housing education and outreach
• Connected education directly to community impact
Innovation through collaboration
C.A.R.E.—Certified in Affordable Resources and Education—reflects the program’s expanded scope and mission, with graduates earning the Canopy Realtor® Association designation of Workforce Housing C.A.R.E. Specialist , recognizing their advanced training and commitment to serving workforce and affordable housing needs in the community.
CREI partnered with the Canopy Housing Foundation to support the next generation of housing leaders through the Innovation Awards Bootcamp. This innovation-focused challenge for area college and university students seeks to develop creative and pioneering solutions to affordable and attainable housing, with scholarships awarded by the Foundation to winning teams.
Designed to prepare student teams competing for the Canopy Innovation Award, the Bootcamp provided:
• Guidance on distilling ideas into focused solutions
• Mentor-guided project development
• Pitch preparation and refinement
“Professional growth fuels industry progress and education is the pathway to success for any real estate agent. CREI is committed to both”
LaToya Simms Executive Director, CREI
How Realtors® Served, Invested in, and Strengthened Our Communities in 2025
Canopy Housing Foundation serves as the community-facing arm of the Realtor® profession, channeling volunteerism, funding, and innovation into affordable housing and community improvement initiatives. Through grants, service days, scholarships, and signature fundraising events, Realtors® directly invested in neighborhoods and organizations across the region—demonstrating a shared commitment to housing stability and community well-being.
volunteerism with purposE
Realtors® made a measurable difference through hands-on service projects that addressed housing insecurity and community needs.
2025 highlights
• 350+ Realtor® volunteers participated at 16 Realtors® Care Day sites across Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood Counties.
• 125+ Realtors® volunteered through Project REACH (Realtors® Engaging and Creating Hope), supporting five local nonprofits, with each nonprofit receiving $500 from the Foundation, for a total of $2,500.
Long-term impact
• Since 2009, Realtors® Care Day has generated more than $1.2 million in economic impact, benefiting 347 families and organizations.
EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Grants supporting housing and stability
2025 Grant Activity
• 18 Community Grants awarded
• 6 Habitat Support Grants awarded
Cumulative impact
• Community Grants distributed since 2009: $690,499.70
• Habitat Support Grants distributed since inception: $374,000
The Foundation continued to support educational access and future leadership through scholarships.
Western Region scholarships
• Awarded three $2,000 scholarships to high school and early college students
• Invested $15,000 in Haywood County students since 2020
Why it mattered
• Reduced barriers to education
• Reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to long-term community investment
STRIDES FOR SHELTER 5K
The annual Strides for Shelter 5K continued to serve as a cornerstone fundraising event, partnering with the public in an annual 5K run/ walk supporting organizations whose missions include assisting individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity.
2025 beneficiary
Project Outpour received $30,048 to retire debt on a truck to transport the mobile shower unit, expanding access to hygiene services for those experiencing homelessness.
The Foundation invested directly in housing-related nonprofits and initiatives through targeted Community Grants and Habitat Support Grants.
Why it mattered
• Supported local housing providers and nonprofits
• Strengthened partnerships focused on housing access and stability
Since 2016, more than $242,000 raised to support organizations actively assisting housing-insecure individuals and families.
Canopy Housing Foundation STRIDES FOR SHELTER 5KRUN WALK
Honoring service and leadership
Humanitarian Award
• Highest honor bestowed by the Foundation
• Includes a $5,000 donation to a nonprofit selected by the recipient
• 2025 recipient: Jamilah Espinosa, Esq., for her work supporting immigrant communities
• $66,250 invested through the award since its inception
“Through the Foundation, Realtors® go beyond transactions — investing in and improving communities for generations to come.”
Terri
Marshall
Executive
Director, Canopy Housing Foundation
Youth Excellence in Service (Y.E.S.) Award
• Recognizes youth ages 10–18 for community service
• 2025 recipient: Alexander Riley
• $3,500 invested in the community through the program to date
The Foundation recognized individuals and youth making meaningful contributions to their communities.
Innovation and the future of housing
The Canopy Innovation Award challenged area college and university students to think creatively about affordable and attainable housing solutions.
2025 competition
• Participating institutions included: UNC Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Haywood Community College
• Awarded $10,000 in scholarships in 2025
• Awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships over the last two years.
Impact
• Encouraged fresh thinking around housing challenges
• Engaged the next generation in housing innovation
How Canopy MLS Supported Your Business and Ability to Serve Clients
As the first MLS in NC to allow subscribers who are not Realtors®, Canopy MLS expanded choice, transparency, and gave subscribers the flexibility to work across multiple MLS platforms.
From platform enhancements and AI-powered assistance to national data-sharing initiatives and consumer-facing transparency tools, every investment was guided by a singular goal: helping subscribers work smarter, demonstrate their value more clearly, and deliver a better experience for buyers and sellers in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Technology enhancements and platform innovation
Major enhancements
Canopy MLS delivered continuous improvements across its technology ecosystem.
• Upgraded the Matrix homepage and CMA functionality.
• Introduced ICE Paragon Connect as an additional platform to conduct business.
• Aligned with a trusted industry leader, Realtor.com to be the first MLS to offer Realtor.com+, a game-changing client collaboration work space across all platforms.
• Expanded listing fields to reflect evolving housing trends.
• Implemented multi-factor authentication and enhanced account security.
• Released an all new Canopy MLS Dashboard.
• Launched the OneHome mobile app
• Updated rental listing application links through Rental Beast and added the “Apply Now” online application to OneHome.
• Expanded access to listings nationwide by adding two new data share partners –Pikes Peak MLS in Colorado and State Wide MLS of Rhode Island
• Launched RAYSE , a client-facing transparency tool that maps the real estate journey in real time.
• Introduced Ardi, an AI-powered virtual assistant, to extend support beyond traditional business hours.
“Our focus is on building an MLS ecosystem that gives subscribers flexibility, transparency, and powerful tools—without compromising data integrity or professionalism. Every technology decision we make is driven by how it helps agents serve their clients more effectively and communicate their value with confidence.”
Steve Byrd Chief Technology Officer Canopy MLS
New Options and Updates to Matrix
• Updated the Canopy MLS Listing Transfer Form to require approval from both the releasing office and the receiving office, helping prevent confusion or misunderstandings when agents and their listings transfer between firms.
• Added four additional custom fields to the Matrix CMA wizard, giving agents greater flexibility to include the information they want in their CMA reports.
• Enhanced the map-view pop-up display to include a direct link to the listing’s “History” report for easier access.
• Added an indicator within the map pop-up to identify when multiple parcels are included in a single listing. Extended the Public Remarks field to 4000 characters and the Syndication Remarks field to 4100 characters.
• Added a new “Lower Level Description” field allowing agents to specify whether a property’s lower level is above- or belowgrade.
• New fields and options have been added to Matrix, including:
• New field: Private Pool on Property YN
• New Field: CO Issued YN (available for all New Construction listings)
• New selection: Community Features - Pickleball
• New selection: Architectural Style - Barndominium
• New selection: Exterior Features - In-Ground Hot Tub/Spa
• New selection: Exterior Features - Above Ground Hot Tub/ Spa
• New selection: Pool Features - Plunge Pool
• New selection: Proposed Financing - Private Lending Source
• New selection: Sold Terms - Private Lending Source
• Updated selection: AdditionalSubType - Duplex changed to Duplex/Duet
Canopy MLS also advanced national innovation through a collaborative venture with Broker Public Portal to develop Cribio, a next-generation consumer home search experience that connects home searchers directly with the agent who best knows the property. By blending MLS listings with public records and parcel data into one seamless platform, Cribio delivers a faster, smarter, and more complete view of properties and neighborhoods.
Consumers can access the portal at www.carolinahome.com
ethics complaints reviewed ethics hearings conducted
TRAINING AND BROKER RELATIONS
Training reach
• 162 firm-level classes delivered
• 2,060 agents trained virtually
• Ongoing one-on-one coaching
• Monthly and quarterly vendor-led training sessions
Most requested topics
• Paragon Connect
• RAYSE
• Down Payment Resource
• RPR advanced tools
Canopy MLS prioritized education to ensure subscribers fully utilized available tools.
Training in Action: Equipping Subscribers for Success
5 MLS appeal hearings held 2 citations issued
• Conducted trainings for:
• Canopy’s Young Professionals Network
• Canopy Real Estate Institute
• Canopy’s Safety Camp
• Designed the Find It! Learn It! Use It! Training presentation for MLS and Association Board of Directors, and Canopy MLS subscriber base.
• Conducted training for lenders and agents on the usage of Down Payment Resource (DPR).
• Partnered with technology vendors to provide monthly and quarterly training on ShowingTime, Rental Beast, Tenant Screening, Remine, Paragon, RAYSE, and Forewarn.
For information or to schedule a training session, please contact brokerrelations@canopyrealtors.com.
Canopy MLS Ranked Among the BEST MLSs in WAV Group’s Customer Experience Index
WAV Group’s Customer Experience Index (CXI) serves as the leading standard for measuring MLS success, enabling organizations to benchmark against their peers and gain actionable insights to enhance member satisfaction.
Why it mattered
• Assisted in demonstrating excellence in service delivery and technology effectiveness
• Strengthened adherence to industry benchmarks for MLS performance
• Enhanced data-driven decisions to increase MLS value to subscribers
• Created a roadmap for continuous improvement and long-term success
Canopy MLS was named a BEST MLS in the following categories:
• BEST MLS Overall
• BEST MLS Customer Service
• BEST MLS Training
• BEST MLS Technology
• BEST MLS Data Quality
• BEST MLS Responsiveness
• BEST MLS Business Generation
2025 activity
21,000+ subscribers
14,837 support tickets closed 17,060 support calls answered
Support, compliance and data integrity
Canopy MLS maintained strong operational support and compliance oversight.
Why it mattered
• Protected data accuracy
• Maintained professionalism
• Reduced risk for brokers and agents
“BIC Briefs” kept brokers informed and the first-to-know about:
• MLS market data tools webinar
• NC forms, advocacy updates, and why the MLS matters
• Canopy MLS service and key fees increases
• Rayse platform and benefits webinar
• Canopy MLS partnership announcement with Rayse platform
• Beyond Compliance: Protective risk strategies for real estate firms
CONSUMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
• Provided information about the value of working with a real estate professional with access to Canopy MLS
• Canopy continued to be a national model in promoting access to down payment assistance
4,587 compliance tickets resolved
6,638 Data Checker notices issued
Subscriber usage and system performance
Canopy MLS systems supported high-volume, daily business activity.
2025 Usage
• 5.8 million total MLS logins
• 6,941 unique MLS Touch users
• 86,173 MLS Touch sessions
Thank you
Dedicated to Charisma Southerland who served as president in 2024 and 2025.
Thank you for your vision and commitment to Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS, Canopy Housing Foundation and for positively impacting members and subscribers, the industry, and the community.