Nonprofits--News
Your Donor Dollars at Work
This section will highlight stories about charities that the Foundation supports through its industry contributions. This is the reason we are here!
Search Dog Foundation: Joplin Team Returns Home
http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/enews/oklahoma/
Nonprofit Survey Responses--What They’re Saying about the Insurance Industry
In April of 2007 the Foundation conducted a community survey with nonprofit agencies/leaders asking a series of questions regarding agency needs, support, and their perception of the Insurance Industry. One specific question asked:
Since your association with the Industry Foundation, has your perception of the insurance industry changed? If so, in what way?
Participant Responses:
“Yes, we’ve been made more aware of the impact the insurance industry can make at the local level and the good work it accomplishes on a regular basis.”
“We are very impressed with the Community Spirit of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation”.
“It’s interesting to get to know the people behind the companies. Whether or not I understand insurance better, it is a pleasure to learn that the industry is made up of individuals.”
“We are impressed that pretty much alone of all industries, the insurance industry has a planned and implemented a well thought out approach to volunteering and giving.”
“I understand better the risks that the insurance companies bear, and have a more sympathetic feeling towards them.”
“No other industry puts aside their differences for one mission – helping their Community. It has definitely changed the perception about the insurance industry in a more positive direction.”
“It is so powerful and positive to see ALL agencies come together and devote time to a worthwhile cause.”
“My perception has changed about the industry and their ability to do good deeds for the community.”
“I love the whole idea of the Industry Foundation – keep up the good work.”
“As much as anything, it has increased our awareness about the insurance industry charitable work – and our appreciation for your commitment to the community.”
For more information on the 2007 Industry Foundation Community Survey please contact the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation at 925-280-8009.
Posted October 26, 2007
GREATER BAY AREA MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Thank you for your generous gift to the Greater-Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.
GARRETT'S WISH
Garrett is a beautiful six year old child who suffers from Angelman Syndrome, which is a unique illness that includes fascination with water. At this young age there are many hazards and much precaution has to be taken to ensure Garrett’s safety. Make-A-Wish and Garrett’s family started brainstorming on how to fulfill a wish very specific for this six year old. A never-ending wish and hours of fun at Garrett’s enjoyment was insured with the idea of a backyard water feature. It was with the help of Splash Zone, LLC that a ten nozzle spray-specific splash pad would be created. Another important part of the design is the drainage that allows all the water to be fully drained leaving zero standing water so there is no risk to Garrett’s health.
Splash Zone was touched by Garrett’s story and the idea of a backyard oasis. Their desire to help kept the owners driving through the night from their headquarters to be there on the final days of installment at their own expense. To finalize this wish they also fully upgraded the water pad for no additional cost to the foundation.
David Hatfield, Development Director
Make-A-Wish Foundation
235 Pine Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 982-9474
www.makewish.org
Posted January 23, 2008
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children
Orange County
Thanks in part to the generous support of the Foundation, the 2005-2006 fiscal year was a record-breaking year for CASA. Having exceeded our goal for the second year of our Growth Intitiave, we are serving more of our community's most vulnerable children than ever before!
CASA's service to children is up 18% from this time last year -- 557 children have been matched with dedicated Mentor-Advocates since the beginning of our fiscal year. That's 557 of Orange County's most at-risk children who now know what it's like to have a chance at a brighter, more successful future.
Every day we hear a story of one of our CASA kids whose life is changing for the better, thanks to a CASA volunteer. Teens whose grades were once so low they didn't dare to dream of graudation are now preapring to walk beside thier friends to get their diploma. Children who thought no one wanted them are now feeling loved and supported. Kids who had never expected to have a bright future are now plannning for a bright one.
Support from the Foundation has played an important role is CASA's recent success in serving more children. Your support is being utilized to provide crucial training and supervison for dedicated volunteers, enabling our mentor-advocates to provide high-quality attention and guuidance for these vulnerable children and teens.
Gregory Bradbard, Executive Director
Excerpted from 2006 grant report.
Posted June 20, 2007
Search Dog Foundation
Ojai, CA
2006 was a very strong year, thanks to foundations like yours. Your funding helped us rescue dogs and create 17 new Canine-Firefighter Disaster Search Teams in 2006 to serve their local communities.
Your support has helped us to underwrite the cost of locating dogs in shelters around the state, giving these dogs professional care and training, partnering them with firefighters at the request of their departments, and providing each dog with Lifetime Care. If a natural disaster or terrorist attack occurred anywhere in California, your canine-firefighter teams would respond immediately, searching for people buried alive or trapped by rubble.
One of the benefits of your funding is the support it provides to our handlers in their work toward federal certification. (Disaster search dogs are the only search dogs that require federal certification for deployment).
Because of the support of the Foundation, local and national disaster response and readiness has been enhanced, regional task forces have been provided an additional life-saving resource to California and beyond, and the communities where you live and work are safer. Your support helps fuel the hope that people count on in time of need.
Debra Tosch, Executive Director
Excerpted from 2006 grant report. This grant was awarded in partnership with the Allstate Foundation.
Posted June 20, 2007
Children's Hospital & Research Center Foundation
Center for Child Protection
Oakland, CA
The Center for Child Protection (CCP) provides comprehensive medical, psychological, case management, and intervention services for 1,000 abused
and neglected children every year. In addition to healing these children, the CCP focuses on child abuse and domestic abuse prevention.
The Foundation's 2006 grant was instrumental in enabling the CCP to enhance two current therapeutic milieus and the sexual assault clinic, all of which are used by the clients and families seved through the many CCP programs.
Thanks to the Foundation's grant, two playrooms and the sexual abuse clinic were refurbished and equipped with new furniture and toys. More than ever, the rooms now provide a welcoming and calm therapy space that is attuned, nurturing and developmentally appropriate. They are environments where youngsters impacted by abuse and violence can heal. The renovations of the therapeutic milieus contribute to a cohesive sense of self, high self-esteem and emotional resiliency for the children and families served at the CCP.
Ken McKinney, Annual Fund Manager
Excerpted from 2006 grant report.
Posted June 20, 2007
The Okizu Foundation
Camp Okizu
Novato, CA
Camp Okizu is a nonprofit summer camp for children with cancer and their families. All program costs are covered by individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, and proceeds from fundraising events.
As any of our campers can tell you, having cancer is no fun. But spending a week in the great outdoors at Camp Okizu--swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, playing, singing, dancing and laughing--is one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences imaginable. Your generosity has helped make this possible.
One of the highlights of the week at camp is Friday's baseball lunch, where campers and staff wear baseball shirts and caps, enjoy hot dogs, chips and soda, and dance to sports-themed music.
They are also able to meet and make friends with other children who have had cancer, and who could understand and share their feelings. They talked, laughed, cried, and developed positive relationships that will last throughout the year. The support network created at camp helps sustain these special kids during tough times, even when they are not physically together.
Camp Okizu is a special place, in that children who may be bald from chemotherapy, or missing a limb, or in a wheelchair, or blind, do not feel conspicuous. At camp they are simply kids.They are encouraged to participate in all activites to the full extent of their abilities and are provided with the assistance, support, encouragement and unconditional acceptance that they need to grow and thrive.
We are extremely grateful to the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation for making this exeprience possible for children with cancer. We have included some quotes from campers and their parents regarding the 2006 season.
"He never liked singing, but since coming back from camp, he can't stop singing the songs he learned there."
"Camp Okizu places cancer in perspective as something that happened, not who she is."
"It's an indescribable feeling of love, comfort and compassion. It's exciting, fun, relaxing, memorable and challenging all at the same time."
Suzanne Randall, Executive Director
Excerpted from 2006 grant report.
Posted June 21, 2007 |
