NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On December 9, more than 900 insurance professionals packed the Grand Ballroom of New York City’s famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel for a night of celebrating the insurance industry’s commitment to philanthropy. At the event – the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) 9th annual Northeast Benefit Dinner – over $1.26 million was raised to support the grants that were presented by IICF to nonprofits located throughout the Northeastern U.S.
This star-studded night featured appearances and speeches from celebrities including New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson, Emmy award-winning journalist Jane Pauley, and radio and television personality Boomer Esiason. These speakers shared moving words of appreciation and inspiration with the audience as they accepted grants on behalf of their respective charitable organizations.
During the dinner, IICF honored American International Group, Inc. (AIG) for philanthropic leadership with the 2015 IICF “Double I” Award for influence in the industry and impact in the community. Robert S. Schimek, Executive Vice President Chief Executive Officer Commercial, accepted the award on the company’s behalf with a moving tribute honoring those who have personally inspired him and his company to give back to their communities.
“It has been a true privilege to see hundreds of insurance professionals come together to raise an unprecedented amount of grants at the IICF annual dinner,” said Peter Tucker, NYC/NJ Regional Branch Manager Senior Vice President, Chubb & Son and IICF Northeast Board Chair. “We, as an industry, are united by more than just our profession, and this dinner further shows the impact we can have on the larger community when we give back.”
All proceeds from the night’s event will fund the Northeast Division’s community grants program, providing grants to regional charities that champion causes pertaining to education, at-risk children, the environment, and disaster preparedness. The 15 grant recipients are as follows:
- All Stars Project, Inc.
- The Boomer Esiason Foundation
- Care for the Homeless
- Children’s Health Fund
- Covenant House New Jersey
- Covenant House New York
- The Doe Fund
- enCourage Kids Foundation
- Family Reach Foundation
- Friends of Karen, Inc.
- Grand Kids Foundation
- Nyack Center
- Our Military Kids
- Riverkeeper, Inc.
- Team Rubicon
Over the past nine years, the IICF Northeast Benefit Dinner has provided funding for over $6 million in grants to people in need in the community. These grants continue to benefit nonprofits across this region through the generous support of insurance industry professionals.
About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation was established in 1994 and is completely directed and funded by the insurance industry. The foundation helps communities and enriches lives by uniting the collective strengths of the industry to provide grants, volunteer service and leadership. Since its inception in 1994, IICF has contributed more than $23.5 million in grants to charities and 218,000 volunteer hours to hundreds of community nonprofit organizations. IICF is a registered not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at about the IICF at www.iicf.org.
