A major insurance charity has hit a big milestone, one that it has managed to reach for the third year in a row.
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) successfully raised $1 million during its 12th Annual Southeast Gala held at the Omni PGA Resort in Frisco, Texas.
The gala, a major event for insurance professionals from Texas and the Southeast region, underscored the philanthropic spirit of the insurance industry, marking the third year in a row that the Southeast Division has surpassed the $1 million fundraising milestone for charitable causes.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2024 IICF Southeast Philanthropic Leadership Award to Rusty Reid, leader of Higginbotham, by Jeanette Ward, CEO of Texas Mutual Insurance and last year’s co-recipient of the award. The award celebrates Reid’s significant contributions to philanthropy, both within the insurance industry and in the broader community.
Funds raised from the gala will support the IICF Southeast Division’s Community Grants Program, benefiting regional nonprofits focused on aiding children at risk, educational initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and military veterans. Since its inception in 2012, the IICF Southeast Division has allocated over $8.5 million in grants to more than 225 non-profit organizations.
The IICF Southeast Division plans to distribute 24 community grants with the proceeds from this year’s gala, extending their support to various local non-profits across Texas and the Southeast. Sarah Conway, executive director of the IICF Southeast Division, reflected on the significance of the event not only as a fundraiser but also as a celebration of 30 years of IICF’s impact.
“By joining together through IICF, and through the generosity of the industry, we are directly funding more grants that benefit our neighbors in need,” Conway said.
Dan Kennedy, the newly appointed chair of the IICF Southeast Division board of directors and regional president at Markel, expressed his pride in the insurance community’s collective effort.
“It’s my privilege to take the reins from Joe [Connelly], who led impressive growth of the Southeast Division in terms of board members and ultimately, greater funds granted into the community,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to working with the tremendous leaders we have serving on the IICF Southeast Division Board and throughout the region on IICF boards in Houston and Georgia.”
The gala received substantial backing from its sponsors, including Hole-In-One Sponsors Higginbotham, Texas Mutual, and The Bill Henry Family; Double Eagle Sponsors AIG, Amrisc, Amwins, CNA, CRC Group, Marsh McLennan Agency, RT Specialty, Service Insurance Companies, The Hartford, and many other supporters from the industry.
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