The General announces investments in 17 Nashville nonprofit organizations through new annual Community Grants Program

The General has announced the first recipients of its new Community Grants Program. Seventeen Nashville-based organizations will receive grants to advance their work addressing a variety of needs in the community and creating significant, positive societal impact.

Earlier this year the Nashville-based auto insurer introduced the new grant program, an annual community investment initiative building on the company’s long‑standing commitment to the communities they serve.

Investing in partnerships

“We’re so pleased with the response to our new grants program, and we’re honored to invest in these 17 local organizations and the important community work they do every day,” said Eileen Manners, head of claims for The General. “Our goal is to go far beyond writing a check, and strive to create authentic partnerships with these organizations by listening, learning and working together to bring about meaningful change in Nashville communities.”  

Giving priorities were identified, designed to support efforts that close equity gaps, create opportunities and advance better communities for all. Organizations meeting these priorities were encouraged to apply for a grant:

Academic Achievement and Education: Programs and services that advance educational equity in learning and academic achievement through access to high-quality education. 

Healthy Youth Development: Programs and services that support the ongoing needs of young people from birth through 25, including social-emotional learning and mental health.

Economic Opportunity: Programs and services that increase employment access and opportunity, such as job training and workforce readiness.

Community Resiliency: Programs and services that remove barriers to short and/or long-term needs of individuals and families such as food, housing, transportation and daycare needs.  

Trust-based philanthropy 

The General Community Grants Program centers on using trust-based approaches in its philanthropic efforts in Nashville. This means they offer unrestricted, general operating support rather than assigning funds for specific programs, and don’t require traditional reporting requirements. This promotes equity in building relationships, and places confidence in the organizations, knowing they’re committed to achieving measurable results for communities.

“We believe our partners know their organizations' objectives and priorities and are in the best position to decide how to effectively use the funds to achieve positive results,” said Manners.

One grant recipient’s story: Nashville Launch Pad

One organization The General’s new Community Grants Program has selected to invest in is Nashville Launch Pad, the city’s only emergency shelter dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth. The organization was founded in 2014 to meet the growing needs of this group of displaced youth, after a similar organization was forced to close due to lack of funding.

Nashville Launch Pad believes all youth deserve a “street-free sleep” and is dedicated to creating those safe spaces that affirm the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth.

They started their first program, Original Launch Pad, which provides simple, congregate shelter space supported by a network of churches. Original Launch Pad operates during cold weather months, November 1 to April 1, and offers a warm meal, hot shower and a bed. Since its inception, Original Launch Pad has hosted more than 500 young adults in crisis.

In 2021, Nashville Launch Pad created their Independent-Supported Living Program (ISLP), apartment-based emergency housing where guests can stay for up to six months. ISLP is designed for LGBTQ+ young adults, ages 18 to 24, searching for employment, permanent housing or pursuing educational goals. ISLP also provides staff members who work with guests to overcome conflicts that may arise and provide emotional assistance when needed.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Original Launch Pad program shifted their emergency shelter accommodations to a hotel-stay model. Guests were provided their own room on a nightly basis as a way to reduce COVID-19 transmission. The model was successful, with a 0% transmission rate among guests in the winter and spring of 2020. Now with an investment from The General’s new Community Grants Program, they plan to re-launch Original Launch Pad this November.

“We’re so excited about the investment The General is making in our work and it’s incredibly affirming to be selected and shine a light on our organization,” said H.G. Stovall, interim executive director of Nashville Launch Pad. “The grant from The General will enable us to re-launch Original Launch Pad in time for winter when so many LGBTQ+ young adults need our assistance with housing, and help us continue to provide staffing for our Independent-Supported Living Program, another important program that provides support for our clients as they get back on their feet and take steps to live independently.”

The General Community Grants Program’s unrestricted, general operating support means organizations like Nashville Launch Pad can use the funds where and when they determine they’re needed most.

More information about Nashville Launch Pad and their mission can be found at their website.

Focusing investments for greatest impact

The General Community Grants program also places an emphasis on organizations that work with communities that identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), those that are economically disadvantaged, and youth and young families. It will also support funding for organizations/programs providing educational or workforce opportunities for individuals currently incarcerated, justice-involved or experiencing re-entry into the community.

As part of this program, The General made two initial community investments to the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee and the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee earlier this summer.

See the complete list of 2022 grant program recipients.

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About The General Insurance
The General Automobile Insurance Services, Inc. (The General®) is a licensed insurance agency and subsidiary of PGC Holdings Corp. (PGC), which is wholly owned by American Family Mutual Insurance Company. Through its insurance company subsidiaries and their predecessors, PGC has been writing automobile insurance since 1963, serving customers who may find it difficult to obtain insurance from other carriers at a reasonable rate. Visit www.thegeneral.com or www.thegeneral.com/shaq; follow The General on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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. 251 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, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.