American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation expedites grant process and announces 2020 grant recipients
Grant recipients are announced early through an accelerated grant process to provide funding in light of COVID-19 pandemic.
American Family Insurance and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation continue to have a meaningful impact in communities across the nation by making grant investments in 230 organizations totaling $2,046,000 for 2020. Distributions were accelerated and the grant process streamlined to provide needed funding for non-profits earlier in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know the pandemic has been very difficult for many non-profits who’ve not only seen the need for their services increase, but the cancellation of fundraisers and events that fund those programs and services,” said Maggie Pascaly, American Family community investment manager. “Moving up distribution of Dreams Foundation grants means they’ll have support faster to help get them through this challenging time.”
New Pathways for Youth: providing mentorship and support for at-risk youth
One of those organizations is New Pathways for Youth, located in Phoenix, Arizona.
New Pathways for Youth (NPFY) knows the challenges at-risk teenagers face in Phoenix. More than thirty years ago, NPFY founders decided to do something to change young lives in their community. Today, a volunteer mentor team provides consistent support for more than 400 teens and young adults who don’t have a system of their own.
NPFY mentors partner with teens and young adults who face four times the adversities of the average student that keep them from being successful, including homelessness, poverty and abuse. The 1-1 partnerships provide young adults with a stable resource for educational, future career paths and overall health needs.
See photos above from some NPFY programs.
Building a virtual community
The COVID-19 pandemic challenges NPFY to continue to be there for youth, albeit virtually now. With school and work closures, many of their mentees are struggling with online schooling and meeting goals. NPFY uses Zoom and online conferencing to provide stability, resources and support.
“These changes have been hard on everyone,” said NPFY Grant Manager Marlo Dykeman. “Our services are more important now than ever as we help teens who increasingly struggle with homelessness, abuse and dangerous behaviors, now that the stability of school is gone.”
NPFY relies on support from companies like American Family Insurance to enable them to keep providing these needed services.
Dreams Foundation’s impact
Many mentees face continual struggle with the poverty cycle after high school graduation. Through partnerships with companies like American Family Insurance, NPFY is now able to help young adults up to 21 create comprehensive college or career plans.
“American Family wrapped their arms around us and gave us the resources we need to help more youth than ever before,” says Dykeman, “Without their support, it would be impossible for our services to reach this many teens. We are truly grateful.”
The Dreams Foundation funding helps NPFY’s mentees report a 90% success rate in entering college or beginning a career after high school graduation and the organization can continue to expand its outreach to more students every year.
Watch this video for more about NPFY:
Investing in our communities
The Dreams Foundation focuses its efforts towards those who are under-represented and economically disadvantaged, and in two main areas: Lifelong learning, such as early childhood development, educational programming and job training; and basic needs, including food instability, transportation and stable housing. Since 2016, American Family Insurance and the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation have committed nearly $12.5 million through more than 925 grants across its operating territories.
“American Family Insurance and the American Family Dreams Foundation have a strong commitment to partner with community organizations like New Pathways for Youth and so many other non-profits doing amazing work across the country,” said Pascaly. “Their efforts are particularly important during a time of so much uncertainty, and we’re pleased to support them.”
See the complete list of 2020 grant recipients.
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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.