CHICAGO—Many real estate brokers have made philanthropic activities an important part of their lives. This kind of work can raise brokers' profile in their community, but also show others that they are trustworthy, instead of just wheeler dealers. And tenants typically want brokers they can trust, especially if it's a long-term relationship. But which philanthropic activities to get involved in, and how to go about it in ways that both builds client relationships and camaraderie within commercial real estate firms, can present a challenge. GlobeSt.com recently spoke with Chris Tarzon, managing director of the Chicago office of Savills Studley, who last month won the annual Dancing with the Brokers charity contest organized by The Box It Foundation, on how he has made this activity an integral part of his career.
Why get involved in charity work or community events at all?
At Savills Studley, an ongoing commitment to philanthropy, charity and community involvement aligns directly with our values, enriches organizational culture and helps us better understand the communities we serve. For decision makers of any business, encouraging this kind of organizational commitment can result in a more engaged and capable workforce and an improved community profile.
Recommended For You
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.
Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
*May exclude premium content© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
