THE Commercial Real Estate and Building Industry and United Way Solidify its Legacy at the 5th Annual Building Foundations Breakfast 

Hartford, Conn.  — THE Commercial Real Estate and Building Industry in Connecticut, alongside United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, raised more than $565,000 during the 5th Annual Building Foundations Breakfast presented by Trammell Crow Residential to help prevent and reduce homelessness in our region. During the event, Michael W. Freimuth, Executive Director of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), received the 2025 Jeffrey “Jeff” Digel Award, a recognition created and given by the commercial real estate and building industry.   

Annually, the industry partners with United Way on this event that brings together more than 125 sponsors committed to closing housing gaps and creating opportunities for people to secure stable housing. Since its inception in 2021, the Building Foundations Breakfast has raised more than $2.5 million for United Way-supported initiatives that strive to end homelessness in our region.  

The fundraiser also honors the legacy of the late Jeffrey “Jeff” Digel for his tremendous commitment to the real estate profession and the community at large. This year’s Jeffrey Digel Award was given to Michael W. Freimuth.  

Freimuth has been the Executive Director of the CRDA since its creation in 2012. He oversees CRDA’s entertainment and convention facilities, housing and commercial development programs and regional initiatives. Mr. Freimuth has more than 40 years in real estate, finance, banking and public sector development. 

Prior to joining CRDA, Freimuth served as Commissioner of Development for the City of New Rochelle, NY; Director of Economic Development for the City of Stamford, CT; and, Director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Bridgeport, CT. 

“United Way is honored to collaborate with the commercial real estate and building industry on the annual Building Foundations Breakfast fundraiser. Together, we are United to End Poverty by creating opportunities for local individuals and families to secure stable housing,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “We’ve heard from diverse stakeholders across our region that closing gaps in housing should be a priority focus area for United Way and our strategic partners. We could not make an incremental impact in this work without the generosity and commitment of the Building Foundations volunteer committee who passionately drive this work forward year after year.” 

In addition to supporting organizations through United Way that address homelessness, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Covenant Preparatory School in honor of Jeff Digel to provide tuition scholarships for local students. 

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org. 

About THE Commercial Real Estate and Building Industry Breakfast: Building Foundations
In early 2021, a diverse group of commercial real estate and building industry professionals, in partnership with the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, came together to create an event that would raise critical funds to address and prevent homelessness. Since that time, the Building Foundations Breakfast has raised $2.5 million to support local programs and initiatives in partnership with United Way. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org/building-foundations/.