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Insurance Industry Raises Over $1.3 Million at First Ever Charitable Gala in New York
Insurance Industry Raises Over $1.3 Million at First Ever Charitable Gala in New York
Published 12-05-07
Submitted by Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
Special Guest Mayor Bloomberg Announces IICF'S Grant for Neighborhood Financial Empowerment Center in the Bronx
Grants also awarded to Riverkeeper, Wounded Warrior Project
OVER 900 HONOR BRIAN DUPERREAULT, FORMER CHAIRMAN & CEO OF ACE, LIMITED
NEW YORK, NY - December 5, 2007 - The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) announced today that over $1.3 million was raised for Tri-State area organizations. Special guest Mayor Bloomberg joined 900 industry professionals and New York City leaders at the Waldorf-Astoria to award grants to the Wounded Warrior Project's Warrior to Work program, Riverkeeper and the New York City’s Office of Financial Empowerment. WCBS's Kirstin Cole and former New York Ranger, Mike Richter, served as the evening’s emcees.
"The insurance industry is known for mitigating risk, but we hope that the IICF will be known for taking risks," said Ned Cloonan, Chairman, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. "The IICF will challenge conventional thinking about philanthropy and business by funding new and innovative ideas that address the problems confronting communities where we live and work."
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, the first industry-wide charitable initiative, funds organizations and public-private partnerships to find solutions to today's societal challenges. The Foundation’s goal is to use the industry's intellectual capital, expertise in economic development and risk management skills to propel the insurance sector to the forefront of strategic philanthropy. The IICF awarded grants totaling $500,000 to the following organizations:
Neighborhood Financial Empowerment Centers are part of an innovative new pilot program spearheaded by Mayor Bloomberg's Center for Economic Opportunity and the Department of Consumer Affairs' Office of Financial Empowerment. This program will explore how the Centers can provide larger-scale, neighborhood-based financial counseling services, engaging people on individualized pathways out of poverty.
- With the IICF grant of $126,000, OFE is able to create the first of these Centers in the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx, with the ultimate goal of providing similar services citywide.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides direct programs and support to service members who have been severely injured in current military conflicts. WWP's goal is to empower these young men and women to be the most successful, well-adjusted generation of disabled veterans in our nation’s history. Ensuring access to employment is essential to achieving that goal.
- IICF awarded a grant of $200,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project Warriors to Work program for vocational training and job placement for injured men and women.
Over its 41-year history, Riverkeeper has led the battle to wrest control of the Hudson from polluters and is widely credited for having restored the river to its much improved condition and for safeguarding New York City’s drinking water supply. Riverkeeper has established internationally recognized standards for waterway and watershed protection through their reliance on law, science and their unique brand of hard-hitting grassroots advocacy. Today, they are the proud model and mentor for nearly 160 other Waterkeeper programs on waterways across North America and around the globe.
- Riverkeeper received a grant of $150,000 to protect New York City’s ecological integrity.
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation dinner, chaired by Martin J. Sullivan, President and CEO of American International Group, Inc., also honored industry veteran Brian Duperreault, former Chairman and CEO of ACE, Limited, for his exceptional contribution to the insurance sector and his dedication to philanthropic causes.
The gala dinner's guest list included Michael Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City, Martin J. Sullivan, President and CEO of American International Group, Inc., Brian Duperreault, former Chairman and CEO of ACE, Limited, Kirstin Cole , CBS 2 Weekend News anchor, hockey legend, former New York Ranger Mike Richter, and others.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation:
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, the first industry wide charitable initiative, funds organizations and public-private partnerships to find solutions to today's societal challenges. The Foundation's goal is to use the industry's intellectual capital, expertise in economic development and risk management skills to address global issues such as disaster preparedness, the environment and poverty alleviation at a local level.
Haleh Nazeri, Executive Director, New York Division
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
646-857-0464
hnazeri@iicf.com
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
