NORTHBROOK, IL - December 11, 2008 - The Allstate Foundation recently awarded $552,000 in economic empowerment grants to domestic violence coalitions in nine states. The funds will help to ease the financial burden of domestic violence survivors who are often the hardest hit by economic downturns.

The grants will be used to support a variety of local programs focused on developing strategies to move survivors toward financial independence. The grantees' work will center on Individual Development Accounts (IDA), micro-enterprise, financial literacy, and job readiness activities.

"The Allstate Foundation is committed to empowering survivors of domestic violence, by providing them with the tools and resources that enable them to achieve economic independence," said Michele Coleman Mayes, Allstate Senior Vice President and General Counsel. "Our goal is to work with advocates through statewide and local initiatives, helping them to work with survivors to build financial skills, which are critical during these financially turbulent times. Through our Economic Empowerment grants, we continue to help survivors work toward safe and economically secure futures."

In partnership with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund, The Allstate Foundation Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors Program provides knowledge and skills - particularly those related to financial security and economic empowerment "“ to support survivors of domestic violence. The grants are just one of the elements of The Allstate Foundation Program, which has provided more than $4,500,000 in funding to national and state domestic violence organizations since its launch in 2005.

"Women with financial skills have an increased chance of getting away from an abusive situation and sustaining themselves and their families on a long-term basis," according to Sue Else, President of NNEDV. "The Allstate Foundation is integral in assisting women to achieve financial independence - it provides critical resources and financial support to create innovative programs that directly help survivors face the tough economic challenges of beginning a new life, free from violence."
Domestic violence survivors often face significant financial obstacles stemming from their abuse. These problems are heightened in times of economic downturn, making it increasingly more difficult to escape an abusive relationship. Many survivors have been prohibited from entering the workforce or from pursuing higher education and job training activities, or must repair credit damage caused by their abuser. Through initiatives like the Education and Job Training Assistance Fund, which provides micro-grants to survivors helping them to achieve their educational and professional goals, and the financial empowerment curriculum that is being implemented in programs across the country, The Allstate Foundation is filling a gap in domestic violence funding and resource provision.

The nine new grants were awarded to the following state domestic violence coalitions, to enhance already existing economic empowerment programs or build new ones throughout their respective states:

• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000

• Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence awarded $52,000

• Kentucky Domestic Violence Association awarded $100,000

• Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $80,000

• New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000

• New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $60,000

• Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence awarded $50,000

• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $55,000

• Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence awarded $50,000

About the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Fund is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt social change organization representing state domestic violence coalitions. The NNEDV Fund is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists. The NNEDV Fund accomplishes these goals through capacity building for coalitions, public education, training, and technical assistance to maintain and develop the professional expertise of advocates. The NNEDV Fund strives to strengthen advocates as organizers and activists in the tradition of social change movements. For more information about the NNEDV Fund, visit www.nnedv.org.

Allstate Corporation (OLD)

Allstate Corporation (OLD)

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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