Engel & Völkers Chicago is rallying the city’s real estate community around one of its own with a personal fundraising event designed to blend generosity and solidarity. The brokerage is hosting “United in Generosity,” a curated estate-sale-style fundraiser on March 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Clark Street shop, with all proceeds benefiting Engel & Völkers advisor Jennifer Duncan.

In November, the 48-year-old Lakeview resident, military veteran and single mother to an eighth-grade daughter, suffered a catastrophic stroke that abruptly halted her growing real estate career and set her on a long and uncertain road to recovery. Without a strong family support system, with limited financial reserves and with a daughter facing significant health challenges of her own, Duncan found her situation quickly became dire. A GoFundMe campaign helped cover initial expenses, but her colleagues recognized that she would need sustained support to manage basic living costs and medical needs while she is unable to work.

Rather than repeatedly asking for direct cash donations, Engel & Völkers leadership sought a way to harness the power of the broader community. The result is “United in Generosity,” an upscale fundraising sale that invites advisors, clients, fellow brokerages and the public to donate high-quality items they no longer need, then shop the collection knowing every dollar raised goes to Duncan.

Jennifer Ames, licensed partner at Engel & Völkers, said the event is deeply tied to the firm’s mission. “Our job is all about providing support for people at a vulnerable time in many cases, and this is truly an extension of that,” she said. “We are of service to our communities, and in this case, it’s one of our own.”

To bring the concept to life, Engel & Völkers partnered with The Estate Edit, a women-owned firm that specializes in curated estate sales and home organization. Unlike typical garage or tag sales, The Estate Edit focuses on well-presented, higher-value items that might otherwise land in a consignment shop. Shoppers can expect art, small furniture, stylish kitchenware, coffee-table books, handbags, scarves, jewelry and other design-forward items.

Owner Molly Clark and partner Lindy Cline said it was an “easy yes” when asked if they would partner together.

“A single mother and stroke survivor needs support,” Cline said. “If our time, experience and talent can lighten her load even a little, then that’s exactly where we want to be. This is the kind of work that matters, and Lindy and I are grateful to be part of it.”

Cline adds, “United in Generosity is built on small actions that create big impact. Every donation, every shopper, and every volunteer makes a meaningful difference to Jennifer and her child.”

Throughout February, Engel & Völkers advisors in all three of the brokerage’s locations — in Michigan, in the city and on the North Shore — are collecting donations, which will be warehoused and thoughtfully staged for the event. People can drop off their items Monday through Friday during business hours.

The sale will take place at the Engel & Völkers shop at 2401 N. Clark St. in Chicago, which will be transformed for the weekend into a boutique-style marketplace open to the public, real estate agents and anyone who wants to support Duncan. Credit cards will be accepted, and unsold items will be donated to charity after the event to ensure nothing goes to waste. At the end of the sale, all donors will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $500 gift card.

Donors were encouraged to contribute items generally valued around $50 or more, maximizing the impact of the limited space. Pricing will be handled by The Estate Edit based on their experience running successful high-demand sales that often generate lines out the door.

By coming together for Duncan, the firm hopes to demonstrate that the Chicago real estate community is about more than deals and sales volumes — rather, that it is about standing with one another when it matters most. With a fundraising goal of $50,000, Engel & Völkers is inviting advisors, clients and other brokerages across the city to reach into their closets, storage rooms and studios to help change the trajectory of one colleague’s life.

“I think even within our industry, to send the message that, you know, we’re not all about making deals. We’re about helping people and in our day to day, jobs and our work, we’re helping people make life transitions,” Ames said.