"This is all about charity and community involvement," Mosler told attendees in accepting the foundation's honor. The foundation was created in 1954 to aid commercial brokers in financial distress, and has since expanded its mission to provide college scholarships to the children and employees of board member firms.
Over the past two years, which Mosler called "rough," the foundation has had ample opportunity to provide such a financial lifeline. Foundation chairman Jerry M. Cohen said in opening remarks that it was difficult to see industry members who in former years had bought tables at the annual luncheon but who now have to approach the group for assistance.
Yet providing assistance has been the foundation's mission, Mosler said, through eight recessions, two major oil shocks, 9/11 and the September 2008 financial meltdown. "In confidence, they have a place to turn," Mosler said of the industry members who have approached the group over the years, with all applications kept strictly confidential. To date, the foundation has disbursed approximately $6.3 million in financial aid and scholarship awards.
"We were delighted to honor Bruce this year for his outstanding professional accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to our community," says Patricia Frank, executive director of the foundation, in a release. She adds that Mosler has been a dedicated board member of the foundation for the past 16 years.
Mosler also serves as a board member of the Police Athletic League, Partnership for the City of New York and Duke University's Trinity College, and is vice chairman of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Among his accolades over the years by the Real Estate Board of New York, Mosler has received the Kenneth R. Gerrety Humanitarian Award. It's a track record of community service at odds with what foundation president H. Dale Hemmerdinger called the inaccurate public perception of industry members as uncharitable.
"In our profession, you can never tell when you may need the Realty Foundation," Hemmerdinger told the audience. "And until you do, the Realty Foundation needs you."
Foundation chairman emeritus Charles J. Urstadt shared reminiscences of Mosler's early years in the industry. "Cushman & Wakefield has come a long way because of Bruce's leadership," Urstadt told luncheon attendees.
To read more about the Realty Foundation, click here.
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Paul Bubny
Paul Bubny is managing editor of Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com. He has been reporting on business since 1988 and on commercial real estate since 2007. He is based at ALM Real Estate Media Group's offices in New York City.
