Native Floridian David Crawford was born and raised in Daytona Beach. A graduate of the University of Florida, he moved to Sarasota, his wife Stacey’s hometown, in January 2011. Crawford’s family–Stacey and six-year-old daughter, Callie–are his greatest source of joy and inspiration. Together, they love exploring the beautiful Sarasota area and participating in community events whenever possible.

As Founder and Broker/Owner of Catalist Realty, Crawford shares that  he was basically born into real estate. “I remember helping my dad fix rental properties since I was barely tall enough to reach the toolbox! I then became a leasing agent at a large apartment complex in Gainesville during college that had 1020 total residents. After undergrad I was an executive director for a nonprofit organization which partnered with local governments to revitalize, activate and strengthen older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts and this is where I began my love for the concept of building community.”  With a passion for both business and community service, he founded Catalist Realty in 2018 to merge these interests. Over the years, he’s focused on creating a real estate brokerage that not only excels in the market but also makes a meaningful impact on our community through philanthropy contributions. Last year, his firm was recognized for donating 15 percent of the commission of every transaction to the buyer or seller’s nonprofit of choice. “The philanthropic plan at Catalist Realty emerged from my desire to integrate giving back into the very fabric of our business,” he explains. “I believe that success in business should also translate into positive impacts in the community. Since opening in 2018, we have been the catalyst(pun intended) of just shy of $300,000 in total impact to over 30 local nonprofits, with about $205,000 of these contributions being unrestricted funds direct from property sales. This model allows our clients to choose the nonprofit they are passionate about, making every transaction personally meaningful and impactful.”

In addition to financial contributions in our region, Crawford has actively served on the Board of Directors for the Conservation Foundation for the past four years where he currently holds the position of Secretary. “With both my wife and I being native Floridians we want to instill the same love and appreciation for our outdoor spaces, waterways and the incredible natural resources we have in our communities to our daughter and what better way to walk the walk then to support the amazing mission of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast,” he says. Crawford is also the Vice President of the Real Estate Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) and will be moving to President-Elect in 2025. “My involvement extends to the state level as well, where I serve on the Florida Realtors’ Boards of Directors as well as being the current Vice Chair of the Emerging Technologies committee at Florida Realtors. These positions allow me to contribute to my career and the real estate industry as well as support various local philanthropic initiatives, furthering my commitment to giving back and fostering positive change,” he adds.

Crawford believes that his philanthropic spirit is driven by a deep desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. “Seeing the positive impact that our contributions can have on local nonprofits and the community as a whole is incredibly rewarding. It’s about creating a legacy of kindness and generosity that can inspire others to follow suit. We live in such a special place and if we all can take even baby steps in the right direction the ripple effect is huge.”

Crawford fondly recalls one particularly inspiring moment from his philanthropic work. “One of our clients’ donations went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties. The Director explained to us that this donation would allow them to cover all expenses for the Club’s summer program for 12 kids including their breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Knowing that these children could enjoy a memorable summer in a safe environment, filled with learning and fun without any financial burden on their families was incredibly fulfilling. It is moments like these that remind me of the profound impact we can have on our community.”

A quote that resonates with Crawford is by Tim Tebow as he feels that it perfectly encapsulates his belief that true success is measured not just by personal achievements, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. He says it inspires him to use his talents and resources to serve our community and create lasting, meaningful change: “When we succeed, we impact our individual lives, but when we are significant, we impact others. To transcend business success into eternal significance, you have to take your gifts, find a need and meet it. Achieving significance means we go beyond gaining financial comfort and we strive to serve others.” 

Crawford advises anyone looking to get involved philanthropically to start by reaching out to local foundations and nonprofits that align with their interests. “Volunteering is a great way to get started and understand the needs of the community,” he says. “Building relationships with these organizations can lead to more meaningful and impactful contributions.”

Last year, Crawford was an award recipient at SRQ’s SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards Luncheon at Michael’s on East. “Being honored as a Good Hero in our community is a profound recognition of the values and mission that Catalist Realty stands for,” he shares. “It reaffirms our commitment to using our success to make a significant and lasting positive impact on our community. This award is not just a testament to our efforts but also an inspiration to continue striving for excellence and compassion in everything we do. It is also incredibly humbling even being recognized next to so many amazing businesses we have in our region that have made significant impact for decades.”