2014 has been a banner year for Champion Real Estate Services and the company has decided to return the good fortune in a big way.

This week, the Westerville-based investment firm and property management company announced the roll-out of the Champion Cares Foundation, a program that will give residents at Champion apartment communities the option to round up their rent $1 each month, with all proceeds donated to four Central Ohio charitable organizations.

“At Champion, we firmly believe that no one person should be without the basic necessities, namely food and shelter,” said Michelle-Yeager Thornton, co-founder and chief operating officer at Champion. “So, as the community continues to support the growth of our company, we feel it is imperative to, in turn, support the well-being of the community.”

The YWCA Family Center in Columbus, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Children’s Hunger Alliance and LifeCare Alliance are the four organizations that will receive funding from the Champion Cares Foundation.

Champion has been one of the fastest-growing companies in Central Ohio for the last two years. The company’s expansion has given it access to a large audience, and full-participation from Champion residents could result in over $36,000 a year to be split between the four charities.

“Champion is going to match each resident’s donation dollar-for-dollar too, so the potential for a positive impact is even greater. With the Champion match, the $36,000 that our residents could contribute easily turns into $72,000,” Yeager-Thornton said. “This is just the opportunity we have been looking for to engage our large audience to give back to those in need.”

Currently, Champion team members serve dinner at the YWCA Family Center once a quarter, as well as participate in the Bowl For Kids’ Sake event each February to benefit BBBS of Central Ohio, an organization that Brian Yeager has been involved in since 2005. Champion has also contributed to the Children’s Hunger Alliance annual Taste to Remember fundraiser for two consecutive years. This will be the first time it has partnered with LifeCare Alliance.

Yeager-Thornton said the funds for all four organizations will be dispersed on a quarterly basis, including the dollar-for-dollar match from Champion. The Champion Cares Foundation is a component of the Columbus Foundation, which will handle the distributions on Champion’s behalf.

“We are proud of the impact our team at Champion has been able to make in the last few years,” Yeager-Thornton said. “But we know we’re capable of doing more, and it is our hope that by partnering with our residents we will do just that.”

About Champion Real Estate Services

Founded in 2010, Champion is a privately-held, fully-integrated, multi-family real estate firm. Champion is family-owned and operated and specializes in investment sales, property management and brokerage services in Central Ohio. Champion currently manages more than 4,000 apartments, with 14 communities in the well-respected neighborhoods of Canal Winchester, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Grove City, Hilliard, Lewis Center, New Albany, Powell and Westerville. Champion has been recognized two years in a row as one of Central Ohio’s fastest growing companies by Columbus Business First’s Fast 50 list, ranking third in 2012 and fifth in 2013.