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Environmental, Social, & Corporate Governance 2024

RISE believes that responsible environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) practices are essential to developing a sustainable, long-term strategy for our company. Dedication to corporate citizenship across all levels of our organization helps RISE contribute to a successful and sustainable future. By setting high standards, we can build goodwill with residents, team members, and investors, resulting in increased occupancy and financial returns.

Corporate responsibility is integrated into every aspect of our business from daily investment processes through our company culture, values, and business management and includes the following:

  • Environment: Energy efficiency, water conservation, waste diversion, and comprehensive, sustainable building practices are key components of the value RISE provides.
  • Social: Conducting our business in a responsible and sustainable way improves our ability to meet commitments to our stakeholders and align our activities with the broader needs of society.
  • Governance: Sound governance principles and ethical leadership values are at the heart of RISE’s investment and business activities.

Environmental Responsibility

The RISE approach to sustainability is organization-wide and encompasses all assets, effectively integrating sustainability into nearly every aspect of our operations. We are committed to measuring, benchmarking, and adopting best practices to influence industry standards and reduce energy consumption, water use, and waste generation through environmental management. The goal is to manage environmental impacts for a safe and healthy environment and overall benefit to investors, residents, and team members.

We believe the following sustainability objectives provide a framework for us to evaluate and communicate our impact:

Energy Efficiency

Our goal is to enhance energy efficiency in our multifamily properties. This will involve the integration of energy-saving appliances, advanced lighting systems, smart home technologies, and effective insulation. We will continuously investigate the potential of renewable energy sources and invest in technologies that conserve energy wherever practical.

Water Conservation

Our commitment to lowering water usage in our communities is ongoing. We plan to achieve this by installing water-efficient fixtures and low- flow plumbing, advocating for responsible water use and considering cutting-edge water management solutions.

Waste Management

Our focus is on reducing waste output while encouraging recycling and composting activities within our properties. We will encourage both residents and team members to engage in eco-friendly waste management practices.

Sustainable Building Practices

In our new construction and future renovations, we will give precedence to eco-friendly building materials, designs, and construction methods. Our aim is to adhere to established sustainability benchmarks.

Social Responsibility

RISE strives to be a responsible community member. We are committed to the health and safety of our team members, residents, and community members. The following programs provide opportunities for everyone to engage in socially responsible initiatives:

  • Volunteer Time Off
    By organizing team member volunteer events and implementing a paid VTO (volunteer time off) policy, RISE encourages all team members to volunteer time and resources to charitable organizations and engage in meaningful outreach to improve the community.

  • RISE Cares Program
    The RISE Cares Program, funded by our team members through voluntary payroll deduction, gives our team members a chance to help their coworkers in times of need.

  • The Empower Academy
    The Empower Academy is a RISE-led initiative that seeks to provide work training, life skills, and eventually employment to young men and women from Jacksonville Florida’s most economically and socially disparaged neighborhood

  • The Perry Project
    The Perry Project was established to celebrate the life and service leadership of Charles Perry, our former Managing Partner. Generous donations from Charles Perry’s friends and family as well from our own foundation have allowed us to place a bible on every bed we develop. Our motto Love. Serve. Care., adopted from Jon Gordon’s The Carpenter, is so fundamental to us that we gift the book to every new resident of a RISE apartment community. The message of The Carpenter is not only a promise from RISE to our residents, but it is also a tool to help guide them in their personal lives.

  • Summer Intern Program
    Our Construction Summer Intern Program follows a 13-week path that provides a combination of field and office training. Interns learn the basics of a project lifecycle, from preconstruction to site safety, fieldwork, and project management, under the training of assigned mentors.

Resident & Team Member
Experiences

Resident Well-Being
We are committed to providing safe, healthy, and comfortable living environments for our residents. The influence of multifamily communities, including recreation, gathering places, fitness centers, and more, contribute positively to social and environmental quality of life. They make human connection easier and relieve the need to travel to find recreation.​
Team Member Well-Being
RISE offers a variety of programs to our team members that promote learning and engagement in financial, mental, and physical health and overall well-being through our RISE Clubhouse platform.
Community Engagement
We will actively support and invest in the local communities in which we operate, supporting initiatives that enhance social well-being, education, and economic development. We will collaborate with local organizations and participate in community events and philanthropy programs that align with our values.
Diversity & Inclusion
We value diversity and inclusion in our workforce and resident base. We will promote equal opportunities, foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, and work towards eliminating discrimination and harassment.
Human Rights
Our approach to human rights focuses on protection, and respect. We treat our team members with dignity and respect, valuing their personal satisfaction and self-worth as key to our success. Our policies, including the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct, set clear expectations and guide our actions. We offer equal employment opportunities and follow a nondiscrimination policy. Our commitment to health and safety minimizes workplace risks. This dedication extends from our team and residents to our partners, clients, vendors, and others affected by our work.
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Corporate Governance

Senior leadership oversees the governance of our ESG Program and has implemented operating practices that support the company’s ESG objectives and financial performance. RISE understands the fiduciary responsibility it holds to its investors and will remain honest in demonstrating integrity in all business activities. RISE is committed to operating responsibly, ethically, and transparently with investors as it works to maximize community and portfolio performance. Our team members are expected to understand the rules and regulations governing our business activities and to promote compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, and internal policies that govern their day-to-day responsibilities.

Ethical Business Practices

We are committed to conducting our business with integrity, transparency, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We have established internal controls and governance structures to ensure accountability and ethical decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement

We value open and constructive dialogue with our stakeholders, including investors, residents, team members, and community members. We will seek feedback, address concerns, and provide regular updates on our ESG performance.

Industry Engagement

RISE is actively involved and supportive of the following trade organizations to help improve the industry, including raising industry standards in education, safety, emergency preparedness, and sustainability. RISE is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), National Apartment Association (NAA), Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Associations of College and Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I), National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS), Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA.

Data Protection and Privacy

Our approach to protecting the privacy and integrity of data collected, processed, and stored by RISE is in line with our corporate values and legal obligations and includes the following areas:

• Data Accuracy and Integrity
• Legal Compliance
• Risk Management
• Privacy and Confidentiality
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Employee Training and Awareness
• Continuous Improvement

Reporting and Disclosure

We will regularly measure, monitor, and report on our ESG performance to stakeholders. We will strive for transparency in our reporting and disclose relevant ESG information in accordance with industry best practices and applicable regulations.