The Spirit of EXIT Supports Inclusion, Diversity and Denver’s Matthew Shepard Foundation

Michael Steffen, an Associate Broker with EXIT Realty Cherry Creek in Denver, Colorado, recently co-hosted a brunch benefiting the work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an organization committed to empowering “individuals to embrace human dignity and diversity through outreach, advocacy and resource programs.”

A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Dollar-for-Dollar Matching Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pledged pool of funds. Working alongside his fellow members of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, Michael raised funds through an auction and the selling of raffle tickets at the brunch. He anticipated raising $5,000 which EXIT’s Head Office was proud to match, but the funds raised exceeded expectations coming in at $7,787 for a total donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation of $12,787.

According to the foundation’s website, “On October 7, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally attacked and tied to a fence in a field outside of Laramie, Wyo. and left to die. On October 12, Matt succumbed to his wounds in a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. In the aftermath of Matt’s death, Judy and Dennis Shepard started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor his life and aspirations.” Read more here.

In a letter to Michael expressing his appreciation, Jason Marsden, Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation said, “Your contribution funds our work in four key areas <including> providing hate-crimes training for law enforcement officers to ensure our communities are safe.”