Employees raise an additional $80,000 for core charities, bringing the projected total to more than $770,000
Schaumburg, Ill., November 17, 2008 – Zurich, a leading property and casualty insurance provider in North America and globally, announced today that its employees in the U.S. increased their donations significantly for core employee-selected charities during Zurich’s annual philanthropic campaign – A Time for Giving (ATFG).
Employees increased their donations and online pledges, which along with the benefit of matching funds from the Zurich U.S. Foundation resulted in an overall 12 percent increase in 2008 donations. Forty-six offices in the U.S. participated in ATFG, which ran for 29 days in September, raising a projected total of just over $770,000 for the core employee-selected charities.
“Zurich believes that it is vital to support causes our employees have identified as having an impact on their lives,” said Steve Rand, president of Commercial Markets for Zurich North America Commercial and of the Zurich U.S. Foundation. “As current news reports highlight decreasing charitable donations due to the current economic situation, Zurich employees continue to live what we call the Zurich Basics. Our employees give not only their time to core charities by participating in a variety of fundraising activities, educational workshops and volunteer programs, but also give their financial support. Especially during these tough economic times, the team at Zurich is delivering when it really matters to those in need in our communities.”
Zurich employees have multiple ways to give, according to Jillian Walsh, manager of employee programs and community relations for Zurich in North America and head of ATFG. They can have funds deducted straight from their paycheck or make a check donation to an ATFG charity of their choice through Zurich’s online system.
Zurich in 1988 formally began its charitable efforts by forming the Zurich U.S. Foundation, which assists organizations across the nation to provide positive change and contribute to the quality of our employees’ communities. The Zurich U.S. Foundation’s match of $312,000 in 2008 represented a significant portion of employee contributions.
“The Zurich U.S. Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people in U.S. communities where Zurich has a presence,” said Carol Bullock, diversity director for Zurich North America Commercial and executive director of the Zurich U.S. Foundation. “Throughout the year, we support children in particular by providing funding to non-sectarian, non-profit organizations and charities in the areas of health, welfare and social services, and post-secondary education. In keeping with our vision, A Time for Giving is another way Zurich is committed to corporate social responsibility.”
About Zurich Financial Services
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries. In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors.
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Editors’ Note: Jillian Walsh is available to discuss Zurich’s annual A Time for Giving campaign. She can also talk about organizing a successful company philanthropic campaign in a down economic market and how the profile of employees that participate in philanthropic events is shifting from them giving only monetary contributions to giving monetary contributions and participating in volunteer opportunities like the Habitat for Humanity home building events and Earth Share seed planting habitat restoration projects.
Media contacts:
Jennifer Nowacki
Zurich
(847) 605-6511
jennifer.nowacki@zurichna.com
Steve McKay
Zurich
(847) 706-2265
steven.mckay@zurichna.com