The powerful Real Estate Board of New York is throwing its muscle behind Councilman Donovan Richards to become Queens’ next borough president — and is helping to fundraise for the Far Rockaway Democrat, The Post has learned.

“We firmly believe Council Member Donovan Richards would best serve in this role,” wrote REBNY president James Whelan in an email that was sent to the organization’s board last week and obtained by The Post.

Whelan pointed to Richards support for rezonings and for controversial public-private partnerships to pay for rehabbing decrepit public housing developments as reasons for backing him.

“We can’t expect to see eye-to-eye with every elected official on every issue,” he added. “We can expect, and should support, those candidates who are willing to have direct, honest conversations about ways we can work together to move the City forward — and we believe Donovan is that candidate.”

Whelan’s Feb. 14 email called for REBNY’s deep-pocketed members to contribute to Richards’ campaign and included an invite to a Feb. 19 fundraiser organized by Queens real estate broker Eric Benaim.

Richards has repeatedly embraced real estate during the race, even as progressive activists in western Queens flex their newfound muscle in borough politics.

He even turned it into a bragging point during a Feb. 4 forum organized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“If Anthony won’t take real estate checks,” he said, referencing a competitor, Anthony Miranda, who had spoken before him at the event. “I surely will if you’re in this room and want to cut a check.”

REBNY’s backing will help Richards with the sluggish fundraising that plagued his campaign during the early days of the fierce race.

He raised just $199,000 and did not qualify for city matching funds, according to reports filed with the city Campaign Finance Board in January.

That’s just a fraction of the $453,000 in private donations received by former city councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who netted another $498,000 in public money to bring her total to nearly $1 million.

Another top competitor, Councilman Costa Constantinides, scored nearly $477,000 in public financing on top of his $227,000 in private contributions — giving him more than $700,000.

What Richards lacked in fundraising muscle he has made up with institutional support, including scoring the backing of the Queens County Democratic Party.

The March 24 special election was called after former Borough President Melinda Katz’s left the gig after winning a fiercely contested race to become the Queens’ district attorney after the borough’s longtime top prosecutor, Dick Brown, died.

Nine people jumped at the opportunity to fill the largely ceremonial ‘beep’ role, including high-profile City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who later dropped out citing family reasons.

“Council Member Richards has built countless relationships in his years working to improve his district and build more affordable housing,” said spokesman Thomas Musich. “As borough president, he will continue that success across the borough.”

– Additional reporting by Carl Campanile