The annual Building Block Foundation Fund (BBFF) White Party is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at Newport Dunes in Newport Beach. BBFF’s annual fundraiser for charities focused on improving the lives of at-risk youth has brought in more than $3 million since 2004. To set the stage for this year’s White Party, here are insights from Bob O’Neill, SVP, acquisitions, CapRock Partners; Building Block Foundation Fund board of governors; and Title Sponsor for 2024 White Party.

You’ve been a longtime supporter of The Building Block Foundation Fund and the White Party. Why is this a key part of your annual philanthropy? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my commercial real estate career has been involvement as a member of the Building Block Foundation Fund (BBFF) Board of Governors. When I joined the Board in 2009 at the depths of the Great Financial Crisis, there was a lot of financial pain and stress in our local communities. I was motivated to get involved with BBFF to ‘give back’ and do my part in raising CRE industry awareness about BBFF and to spread the word about our mission to support local charities with a focus on helping underprivileged children in Orange County communities. At CapRock Partners, one of our core values is “Blessed to be a Blessing (10%).” This philanthropic value was rooted in the founding of the company, and it is our sincere belief that the financial success of the company can extend beyond the firms’ principals and employees and be used to bless charitable organizations as well. BBFF is one of the many philanthropic organizations CapRock is happy to support for the amazing work they have done in supporting our partner charities. 

How does the BBFF give back to the community in a way that speaks to CapRock Partners? 

BBFF’s mission of giving back to underserved communities resonates with CapRock’s core value of “Blessed to Be a Blessing (10%)” because the CRE business has historically been very lucrative for its industry participants. The BBFF Board of Governors works diligently to raise industry awareness about the charities whom we support that include Project Access, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Everfree, Joyful Child Foundation, Kidworks, Orangewood Children’s Foundation, HomeAid and Hope Builders.  BBFF is a great way to give back so we do our best to encourage participation from our peers in the CRE business. 

What are you looking forward to in this year’s event? 

Over the past eight years, the BBFF White Party Charity Fundraiser has continued to grow and evolve. We have over 50 CRE corporate sponsors supporting the 2024 event, eight of whom are first-time sponsors. This growth demonstrates that the BBFF White Party has gained momentum in the CRE industry, and it is exciting to see companies want to get involved to support the BBFF mission. We expect over 350 CRE professionals to attend the BBFF White Party and I am looking forward to making new friends at the event. 

What can attendees expect at the event? 

What I love about the White Party each year is that we can celebrate together in a beautiful setting – all for a great cause. The Newport Dunes provides a lovely beachside setting for the evening. Even if you’ve attended an event there before – you will see how much we’ve been able to transform it. Plus, we’ll have food and music and a few fun party props and games to keep people entertained. The best part of the night is seeing so many of your industry peers and friends in a casual setting where you can celebrate the industry and turn that success into valuable donations for the charities that BBFF supports. I encourage anyone looking for a great networking event to come on out and see what BBFF is all about at this year’s White Party.  

Pictured: The CapRock team at the 2023 BBFF White Party.