MBA Opens Doors Foundation raises $3.09 million in a two-day appeal as individual pledges climb

The MBA Opens Doors Foundation received $3,093,500 in corporate and individual pledges during its Annual Appeal for fiscal year 2027, beating its $2.8 million goal, according to the foundation's announcement in MBA NewsLink, the Mortgage Bankers Association's news bulletin. The money helps families with a critically ill or injured child stay in their homes while the child is in treatment.

The two-day campaign began September 22. Pledges came from 43 companies and 37 individuals.

Who gave

Six companies pledged $100,000 or more, led by CMG Financial at $600,000 and PennyMac at $200,000. The others were Arch MI, Freedom Mortgage, Lennar Mortgage and Radian Guaranty. ICE Mortgage, Pulte Financial Services, Amerihome Mortgage and Taylor Morrison Home Funding pledged $70,000 each, and Citizens Bank, Essent Guaranty and Rocket Mortgage pledged $50,000 each. Another 24 companies pledged $25,000 or more.

Personal pledges totaled $699,500, which the foundation called "a significant increase in individual giving." By our arithmetic, that is about 29% more than the $543,000 in personal pledges the foundation reported for last year's appeal.

What the money does

Founded in 2011, the foundation says it has provided more than $32 million in mortgage and rental payment assistance to nearly 21,000 families. Grants of up to $2,000 are made monthly to families with a child in treatment at one of the 14 children's hospitals in its network, up from 13 a year ago.

"It is both gratifying and humbling to see the connections across the real estate finance community translate into such generous giving for families caring for a critically ill or injured child while struggling to make their housing payments," said Debra W. Still, a former vice chairman of Pulte Financial Services and the foundation's chairman.

"I am deeply grateful that Opens Doors will start 2027 on solid ground," said Deborah E. Dubois, the foundation's president. "In 2026, we crossed the 20,000 families helped threshold."

Against last year

The total is slightly below last year's. For fiscal 2026 the foundation reported $3,118,000 against the same $2.8 million goal, from 46 companies and 44 individuals. Six companies gave $100,000 or more this year, against eight last year. CMG Financial's $600,000 lead pledge was the same in both years.

Companies giving $25,000 or more and individuals giving $10,000 or more are to be recognized at MBA's 2026 Annual Convention and Expo in Chicago, which runs October 11 to 14, with signage, acknowledgment during a general session and customized recognition materials.

What other campaigns can learn

In our view, two things stand out. The appeal is short and tied to the industry's own calendar: two days of pledges in September, then public recognition at the industry's main convention a few weeks later. And individual pledges grew even as the total dipped, a sign that an appeal built on company gifts can still widen its base. For another campaign built around a short window, see UNO's record 24-hour giving day.