IICF first launched the COVID-19 Crisis: IICF Children’s Relief Fund one year ago in immediate response to the global pandemic. Just three weeks after its launch, the campaign had raised nearly $500,000 and throughout 2020, a total of $1.3 million was raised through insurance industry support. IICF provided 2.5 million meals to vulnerable children and families in the US and UK, along with other vitally important community support with these funds.
With the pandemic persisting, the struggle with food insecurity continues to grow for many. More than one in five US households, and two in five households of mothers with younger children, are food insecure in the US, according to a recent study from the Hamilton Project.
“With our first Children’s Relief Fund we were able to make a real difference at a dire time for so many, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the companies and individuals in our industry,” said Bill Ross, CEO of the IICF. “The leadership level of support from our Campaign Champions was extraordinary, including the largest single contribution of $500,000 from Lloyd’s, and we are extremely grateful to each of the 1,500 individual insurance professionals who were moved to donate personally to our campaign. With the ongoing support of the insurance industry, we have the ability to improve the lives of children who continue to struggle with hunger. In this time of growing need, we again ask everyone to consider making a positive impact with a donation to the Children’s Relief Fund, and by giving through IICF, the insurance industry will achieve a much greater collective charitable impact.”
IICF is offering another creative option to support the Children’s Relief Fund through its second International Step Up Challenge, now open for registration and beginning on March 29. This 6-week exercise challenge is open to anyone in the insurance industry as well as friends, family, colleagues, partners and clients across the globe. The IICF Step Up Challenge is designed to help people stay fit, promote wellbeing, build camaraderie and foster friendly industry competition, while safely socially distanced and in support of children at risk. The top two winners in the team and individual competitions will have the opportunity to designate a grant to the nonprofit or charity of their choice, and all those meeting the minimum step amount will be entered into a drawing for the opportunity to designate a grant. Daily workouts of biking, swimming, boxing, yoga and more are automatically converted into steps to determine the winners. All funds raised in a particular region will remain local, in keeping with IICF’s mission.
All international support of the Step Up Challenge will benefit the 2021 IICF UK COVID-19 Revitalising Communities Fund in IICF’s United Kingdom Division, which is currently underway and raising funds to help those in need access food and other vital services, as well as provide internet access to help continue education and support online.
“IICF is proud to offer this opportunity to keep fit and stay healthy in these challenging times, while supporting children and our communities,” said Ross. “Our 2020 Step Up Challenge was great fun, involving nearly 1,000 participants, and a success in raising nearly $50,000 in additional funds for the
Children’s Relief Fund. We’re looking forward to uniting people from both inside and beyond the industry, and from different countries and communities once again this year to raise money for children in need.”
IICF has already received its first corporate donations to the 2021 IICF Children’s Relief Fund from AmRisc and Texas Mutual Insurance Company.
To donate and help vulnerable children struggling with hunger, please visit the COVID-19 Crisis: IICF Children’s Relief Fund and IICF UK COVID-19 Revitalising Communities donation pages. To register for the 2021 IICF International Step Up Challenge, please visit the US and UK/International registration pages.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)
Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than twenty-five years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf.