Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America contributed more than $1.6 million in 2011 to Twin Cities-based nonprofit organizations focused primarily on financial literacy and senior services. Company contributions were awarded through strategic relationships, a grant program, scholarships, and employee volunteer programs.
“We are proud to support the crucial work of many nonprofit organizations throughout the Twin Cities, through both financial contributions and volunteer efforts,” said Allianz Life President and CEO Walter White. “Throughout the organization there is a genuine commitment to volunteerism – this is the heart of Allianz Life.”
Allianz Life gave grants totaling $275,000 to nonprofits that focused their efforts on financial literacy education or training and/or retirement. The company also awarded $275,000 worth of grants to organizations that strive to improve the lives of Twin Cities’ seniors by providing services that enhance seniors’ quality of life.
Allianz Life provides every employee eight hours of paid time off annually to use to volunteer. In 2011, more than 500 employees took advantage of time off to volunteer in the community. More than 3,400 hours were contributed equaling more than $73,000 in volunteer help to area nonprofits.
More than 300 employees and vendors participated in the company’s annual Driving To Donate Charity Golf Tournament. More than 1,000 Allianz Life employees supported the event through purchasing the month of August as casual for $20 to support the effort. Allianz Life gave the event’s proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND, which ties to one of the company’s focus areas, senior services. In 2011, the event raised more than $136,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND.
Each year in November and early December, Allianz Life organizes its annual Spirit of Giving Campaign. The campaign involves a huge food, clothing and toy drive to benefit PRISM (a nonprofit organization based in Golden Valley, Minn.) and Toys for Tots. The 2011 campaign raised more than 25,000 lbs. of food; more than 20,000 lbs. of clothes; more than 3,000 toys; more than $74,000 to PRISM and nearly $32,000 for Toys for Tots.
The financial literacy initiative with BestPrep and Junior Achievement seeks to help youth in the Twin Cities. In 2011, each organization received $100,000 as well as volunteer support from Allianz Life employees during the school year. During the 2010-11 school year, more than 500 employees were involved in the BestPrep and Junior Achievement partnership programs.
Now in its second full school-year, Allianz Life employees are engaged in many JA and BestPrep programs including: JA in a Day; eMentors/Job Shadow; Mock Interviews; Financial Matters; the Stock Market Game and Minnesota Business Venture, all helping students further their education and financial literacy.