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2025 GIVING REPORT

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– MARGARET MEAD

Ryan Iwanaga & Chris Trapani Founders

Dear Friends,

It is amazing and humbling to me to think that 2026 marks the 14th year of our Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation’s creation. The experience has been nothing less than remarkable. In fact, it is the one thing we are most proud of as an organization. It is the part of our company that has given us meaning, cultural purpose, and anchored us in what we hold to be most important.

For both Chris and me, we have never seen this company as simply a business. It has always been a personal reflection of our values and our statement to the world of what we believe. We believe our success comes with tremendous responsibility: a duty to benevolence and devoted citizenship in the communities that make our success possible.

That sense of duty, for me, is deeply personal. It was shaped long before I ever opened a door at Sereno.

Growing up, I was often reminded by my grandparents and parents of a Japanese saying: Okage Sama De. Because of you, I am.

It was offered not as a pleasantry, but as a philosophy — a reminder that my achievements and opportunities were never accomplished alone. That none of us exists or succeeds in isolation. Our lives are shaped by the support, kindness, and sacrifice of countless others, many of whom we may never fully know or recognize.

I think often of my great-grandmother, who in 1906 at the age of 18, left her village in Japan and sailed alone across the Pacific Ocean to arrive in San Francisco to start a new life. With no money, no common language, and little promise of anything beyond the courage she carried within her, she managed to survive and create a life for herself and her family until she died at 96.

And here, some 120 years later, I think of the life I have been given because of her sacrifice. Because of her resilience. Because of her.

Okage Sama De.

People matter. It really is that simple. Ideas are powered by people. The world is changed by people. And the good that spreads through our communities is carried by people — quiet, devoted, often unrecognized people who give themselves in service to others.

This is what our Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation was built to honor. What began in 2012 as an initial check for $5,000 to the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team has grown to over $7,000,000 in support of more than 600 locally rooted, community-minded organizations throughout the markets we serve. These organizations work tirelessly and often anonymously to improve lives, provide hope, and strengthen the communities we all call home. They represent the very best of humanity.

Our foundation exists because of the generosity and commitment of every person within our company. Every transaction, every contribution, and every act of support reflects a shared belief that our success should extend beyond our profession and into the lives of the people around us.

As I look ahead to all that remains possible, I am filled with gratitude: for this company, for these communities, and for every person who has made this journey what it is.

Our story together is a reflection of that simple phrase I heard so often growing up.

Okage Sama De.

Because of you, we are.

Gratefully,

Ryan Iwanaga

Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer

Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno

We believe in giving back to the places

we live in and love.

At Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno, giving back is at the heart of who we are. Through the Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support organizations that strengthen our communities, protect our environment, expand opportunity, and uplift those in need.

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR 2025 GIVING

Community Impact Fund

$248,500 donated to organizations including Loaves and Fishes, American Cancer Society, and SLO Food Bank, supporting vital services for individuals and families across our communities.

Ecosystem Fund

$82,500 donated to organizations such as Dirty Paws Animal Rescue and Hunger at Home, helping protect animals and address food insecurity.

Education Fund

$95,000 donated to organizations including Mentor Tutor Connection and Girls Who Code, empowering the next generation through mentorship, learning opportunities, and access to technology.

Equity & Access Fund

$90,000 donated to organizations such as Skills of Life Café and the East Palo Alto Senior Center, expanding access to resources, independence, and opportunity.

Beyond these grants, many additional local organizations received support throughout the year, bringing our total giving in 2025 to $638,000. Together, these partnerships reflect our shared belief that when we invest in our communities, everyone thrives.

From a small idea to a powerful movement.

This movement began in 2012 with a small group of inspired agents who believed real estate could be a force for good in the communities we serve. Fourteen years later, that vision continues to grow, driven by agents and staff who share a deep commitment to giving back.

We believe our business has a responsibility to invest in the communities we live in, work in, and love. Together, we are proving that when business and generosity come together, communities thrive.

Bridges to Belonging: Rewriting the Future of Santa Clara County

Research shows there is a critical crossroads in a child’s journey called “the third-grade pivot.” This is the point where students shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Achieving this milestone is one of the strongest predictors of high school graduation, career readiness, and long-term economic mobility.

Silicon Valley Reads believes that literacy is one of the most powerful tools for social change. Presented through a countywide partnership between the Santa Clara County Office of Education, San José Public Library, and Santa Clara County Library District, the program engages more than 12,000 community members annually. Through a carefully selected theme and related books, combined with dynamic programming from author talks to community events, this year’s theme, “Bridges to Belonging,” created meaningful opportunities for participants of all ages to build literacy skills and foster a sense of connection.

Accessibility for All: Connecting the Dots

Belonging begins with being seen and heard. During an event with Dr. Joshua Miele, a MacArthur “Genius” who lost his sight at age four, literacy became personal. After discussing his memoir, “Connecting Dots: A Blind Life,” a mother approached him with her preteen son who was beginning to lose his vision. When invited to speak he quietly asked, “How do I navigate the world as a blind person?”

Dr. Miele responded with patience, practical tools, and encouragement. In that moment, literacy extended beyond the page: it became mentorship, representation, and a bridge to a more hopeful future.

Strength and Belonging at Brooktree Elementary

At Brooktree Elementary, a high-needs school in San José

recovering from a local tragedy, Silicon Valley Reads delivered targeted, community-centered support. In partnership with the County Office of Education, the school hosted a full day of literacy and engagement.

Parents participated in workshops while students connected with award-winning author Joanna Ho, who shared her experience of coming to America and finding her voice. Her presentation of her book, “Becoming Boba,” came to life when students enjoyed boba together, reinforcing themes of identity and belonging. She continued connecting with students through book signings and an impromptu storytime.

Younger students explored Korean culture through art and food, broadening cultural awareness alongside literacy skills. One teacher shared, “Our students rarely meet authors. Seeing a real person behind the book shows them that anything is possible.”

The school also piloted the “Greetings at the Door” program, helping students start each day with their choice of a handshake, high-five, thumbs-up, and more, making them feel recognized, valued, and ready to learn.

Expanding Engagement Through Experience

Literacy came to life beyond the classroom through partnerships with Animal Assisted Happiness and Magical Bridge Foundation. Families participated in interactive read-alouds of stories like “Bunnies on the Bus” while engaging with the animals from the story, creating a multisensory experience that deepened connection, especially for younger and neurodiverse learners.

Investing in the Next Generation

Investing in literacy is an investment in the long-term well-being of Santa Clara County. By closing opportunity gaps and fostering belonging, Silicon Valley Reads equips children and families with the tools to succeed in school and beyond.

Support from partners like Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation makes this work possible — transforming books into experiences, and moments into lasting impact. Together, we are not only teaching children how to read, but empowering them to write their futures.

Margarita is a former accountant. She spent her career managing complex finances, and today, she applies those skills to her own household. She knows exactly where every penny goes, maintaining a strict budget that allocates $25 a week for groceries.

However, living on a fixed Social Security income in San Luis Obispo County means that even the most meticulous planning can be upended by a single unexpected expense. Often, Margarita is forced to make a difficult choice.

“If I have an extra bill one month, I will lower the food,” Margarita shared during a recent visit to a Neighborhood Food Distribution. “That’s what suffers.”

For Margarita, the SLO Food Bank serves as a vital resource that protects her nutrition when her budget is stretched to its limit. These resources ensure she doesn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and maintaining a balanced diet.

Despite the financial constraints of a fixed income, Margarita remains a passionate home cook who finds joy in preparing nutritious meals. “I make every kind of Mexican food you can think of, including tamales by the dozens... and pots of beans where I utilize the peppers and onions,” she said.

Margarita hopes that by sharing her story, others will gain a deeper understanding of the realities facing seniors in our community.

“People don’t understand that we that live on a fixed income... out of that check you have to pay rent, water, light, gas... we stretch it to the last drop.”

By accessing local distributions and pantries, Margarita is able to supplement her grocery allowance with fresh produce and pantry staples, allowing her to maintain her independence and her health.

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

–

MALALA YOUSAFZAI

The True Measure of Giving

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GIVING & SOCIAL IMPACT

Each year as we reflect on the work of Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation, I am reminded that behind every grant, every partnership, and every act of generosity is a human story.

In 2025, I found myself thinking about someone many of you never met, but whose life beautifully captures the heart of what this movement is all about.

Several years ago, I co-founded a nonprofit called onRoute22, a safe and supportive space for women navigating trauma, many of whom were unhoused. One of the first women to join our circle was Susie Bochin. Last year, Susie died in a tragic hit-and-run in San José.

The women in our group lovingly called themselves “Super Grit Women.” Susie embodied that spirit completely. She was resilient, funny, tender, and brave in ways most people will thankfully never have to be. Her smile lit up a room, and her absence is felt deeply.

During Susie’s years unhoused, she received care and compassion from organizations such as Loaves and Fishes of San José, Neighborhood Hands, and the Recovery Café San José – nonprofits that Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation has been honored to support because of your generosity.

Because of you, Susie was fed. Because of you, she was welcomed. Because of you, she experienced dignity, compassion, and community during some of the hardest moments of her life.

I will never forget Susie telling me that whenever she saw our Sereno signs with the small houses on them, she felt loved. That simple image of a house meant safety. It meant hope. It meant someone cared.

Moments like this remind me that philanthropy is not measured only in dollars or the number of grants. Its true measure is found in lives touched, hope restored, and the quiet assurance that no one is completely alone.

Please never underestimate the reach of your generosity. Your contributions extend far beyond the transactions that make them possible. They reach further than we may ever know, bringing dignity, care, and hope where it is needed most.

Thank you for helping bring light, dignity, and humanity into our communities.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kirsty Duncan Director of Giving & Social Impact