American Family Insurance and its group companies, along with the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, announced today more than $4 million in support for COVID-19 pandemic relief and other non-profit efforts. Additional support from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation is expected to push the total support to more than $6.5 million.
The total will come primarily from existing funds of the two foundations, supplemented by a 2-to-1 Dreams Foundation match of American Family employee and agency-owner donations in their local communities. The charitable funding will have no impact on insurance rates.
In addition to American Family Insurance, other group companies involved in the effort include Homesite, The General®, Main Street America and CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance.
“The pandemic has left many struggling to meet basic needs while at the same time adapting to a new and unsettling normal,” said Maggie Pascaly, American Family community investment manager. “We want to help meet short-term needs of individuals, families and communities, while also addressing longer-term effects.”
Support for Dane County and other operating areas
The efforts include $50,000 to the recently announced United Way of Dane County/Boys and Girls Club COVID Support Fund. The fund is designed to address short-term emergency needs for families and individuals as well as long-term response and recovery needs for nonprofits who have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The foundation and American Family Insurance group companies are also donating $275,000 in varying amounts to COVID-19 relief funds where American Family Insurance group companies have offices, including: Boston; Denver; Green Bay area; Jacksonville, Florida; Milwaukee; Minneapolis/St Paul area; Phoenix; St. Joseph, Missouri: and St. Louis.
2:1 match offered for employee/agency owner donations
American Family Insurance employees and agency owners can support local organizations of their choice by using a 2:1 foundation match offered during a six-week time period beginning March 31. The foundation will match donations totaling up to $250,000, for a maximum additional investment of $500,000. Organizations that provide pandemic relief will be suggested for consideration.
American Family group companies CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, Homesite, The General, and Main Street America are also partnering with the Dreams Foundation to conduct their own 2:1 employee matching campaigns.
Existing grant/donation programs moved up
In addition, annual distributions from two Dreams Foundation programs will be accelerated to provide needed funding for community programs earlier. The Dreams Foundation grant program, which usually announces grants in July, will be expedited and the Community of Dreamers program, originally scheduled for October, will now take place this spring. Both these programs – combined with additional COVID-specific funding – will invest another $3 million back into our communities.
“Non-profits have had to cancel annual events and fundraisers they depend on to fund vital programs and services and keep their offices running,” said Pascaly. “By moving up distribution of funding, non-profits can get support faster that can help them get through this pandemic.”
“American Family has always had a strong commitment to helping our communities thrive, and during these uncertain and unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever,” Pascaly said.
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About American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation
The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, Inc. builds on our long-standing commitment and support of our communities. As our mission has evolved from corporate giving to community investing, we’ve turned our focus to creating strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations that have helped us strengthen both families and communities. For more information, see the Making a Difference page of amfam.com or the Community Investment page of the Newsroom.
About the American Family Insurance Group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 306 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance (formerly Ameriprise Auto & Home), The General, Homesite and Main Street America. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.