NEW ORLEANS – KW Cares, a nonprofit established in 2002 by Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, with more than 145,000 associates in the U.S. and additional offices worldwide, donated more than $5.3 million into Gulf South families after Katrina – estimated to be the equivalent of more than $8 million today.
In New Orleans, the aid went beyond direct financial support. Residents recall generators that powered entire blocks, cars that served as community carpools, and gift cards that helped parents get children back into classrooms. At a time when many families had lost everything, the Keller Williams network mobilized resources from across the country to provide immediate relief.
According to Keller Williams, when Katrina hit, KW Cares had little more than $200,000 in reserves. The storm transformed what had been a modest hardship fund into a large-scale disaster relief model. Over the past two decades, the nonprofit has distributed more than $66 million worldwide.
Louisiana has been a focal point of that work: during Hurricane Ida in 2021, KW Cares set up three command centers in the state, supplied more than 1,000 generators, and directed $2.7 million to New Orleans families. According to Keller Williams, in some neighborhoods, the group’s trucks arrived before government agencies.
The origins of KW Cares trace back to Mo Anderson, Keller Williams’ first CEO, who argued that the “higher purpose of business is to give, care, and share.” The Katrina response marked the first major test of that philosophy.
Two decades later, the organization remains distinct from many corporate hardship funds, which often cap aid at a few thousand dollars per employee. KW Cares provides grants of up to $30,000 per family, with the possibility of multiple awards if new crises arise. Funding comes directly from Keller Williams associates, who contribute a small amount from each transaction.
“The scale of what KW Cares accomplished here rivals, and in many cases surpasses, what some of the world’s largest corporations have done for their own people,” said Jeffrey Doussan Jr., Operating Principal of KW New Orleans. “It proves that when you build a system around care, it doesn’t just protect your workforce – it helps stabilize entire communities. That’s something every business owner in New Orleans should reflect on this week.”
Lexi Rodriguez, CEO of KW Cares, added: “What makes this model unique is that it isn’t dependent on a single fundraising drive. It’s sustainable. Because our associates give a little with every transaction, we’re able to respond to every hurricane, every wildfire, every medical crisis. That culture of steady giving is why our impact in New Orleans has been so deep and so lasting.”
For those inside KW New Orleans, the impact is personal. Market Center Administrator Holly Freas lost her St. Bernard Parish home to 30 feet of water. “Keller Williams made all the difference in my life, and in my kids’ lives,” she said. With KW Cares’ support, she rebuilt – and went on to serve her office and community for the next two decades.
Founder Jeff Doussan recalls the call he received from Mo Anderson days after Katrina. “Darling, don’t worry about a thing,” she told him. “We will make sure you don’t fail.” That promise, he says, was kept – and it gave his office the footing it needed to help families return and businesses reopen.
Team Leader Cody Caudill points out that the generosity has always flowed in both directions. Since 2007, KW New Orleans agents have contributed more than $200,000 to KW Cares. “We’ve given more often than most offices, but we’ve also received more than we deserve,” Caudill said. “That’s the miracle of KW Cares – the more you give, the more there is for everyone. In this city, that kind of care doesn’t just rebuild homes. It rebuilds communities.”
Today, with more than 200,000 associates worldwide, Keller Williams continues to back KW Cares as a cornerstone of its network. For New Orleans, the program remains one of the clearest examples of how a business-aligned relief fund can shape recovery and resilience in the face of disaster.
About KW New Orleans
Keller Williams Realty New Orleans has been locally owned and rooted in the city since 1998, making it the only multi-generational brokerage in the market. The company is owned and operated by Jeffrey Doussan, Jr. and continues the use of cutting-edge business models and industry-first technology developed by Keller Williams Realty Inc. – the largest residential real estate firm by volume, units, and agent count in the U.S., North America, and the world. Known for attracting top producers across luxury, resale, and investment, KW New Orleans delivers the tools, leadership, and culture agents need to grow and scale. We’re built for agents who want more than transactions—we help them build lasting production, wealth, and freedom.
