Insurance professionals are famous for adhering to the best standards of risk assessment and management, so it might seem puzzling at first to hear that a large group of them got together for a night of casino gaming.
But as the nearly 150 insurance professionals who attended the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) second annual Casino Night fundraiser last month in San Francisco can attest, nothing is too far out of character when it comes to raising money for a good cause.
|Competitive spirit for a greater good
As we all know, the insurance industry has an intense level of business competition between carriers, brokers and agencies. Where the industry stands out, however, is in its ability to put aside that competitive spirit for a greater good. But on Casino Night, the festivities were attended by representatives of dozens of companies who are competitors by day, partners in philanthropy by night.
And the results speak for themselves: On top of the night's good times and opportunities for networking, Casino Night raised more than $100,000 for IICF's Western Division grants program. This program provides funding to local nonprofits throughout California and the Western U.S. that focus on child abuse prevention, disaster preparedness, education, and health and human services. Earlier in 2016, the Division dealt out $340,000 in grants to 35 local nonprofit groups, and the funds raised at this year's event will support similar efforts for 2017's grantees.
“Casino Night is a great fit for insurance industry professionals,” said Melissa Duncan, executive director for the IICF's Western Division. “On one hand, you have a natural, relaxed networking atmosphere. On the other, you have a fun event that's streamlined to raise funds directly for the local community.”
|Prizes and bragging rights
Sweetening the pot were the prizes and bragging rights that were up for grabs for the night's raffle winners (chips won at the tables could be turned in for raffle entries). But above all else, camaraderie and community were the highlights of the evening. As the night progressed, some players' chip counts grew while others petered out. On countless occasions, winning players were seen donating chips to those who were running low so everyone could stay in the game for the duration of the evening.
The insurance industry is one of the few industries that joins together to support a singular, sector-wide foundation. Gold-level sponsors for the event read like a roster of top insurance organizations with operations in the Western U.S., including AIG, Chubb, CNA Insurance, Lockton Companies, Surplus Line Association of California and Zurich.
(Photo: Thinkstock)
|More than fun and games
Events focusing on fun and games offer a great way for the insurance industry to raise money for local nonprofits, but it's hardly the only way in which organizations like IICF give back.
“I can't say enough about the spirit of camaraderie that forms at Casino Night, or at similar events like IICF's Trivia Nights or bowling tournaments, yet the heart of the industry really comes out through volunteer service projects during the Week of Giving,” said Duncan. “Time and time again, we see insurance professionals roll up their sleeves to give back in a tangible way. Volunteer support from the industry is so tremendously valuable for the local nonprofit organizations we support. Service-based projects are an incredibly important part of what we do.”
The ability to give back through fundraising events and hands-on projects gives insurance professionals the ability to truly immerse themselves in the communities in which they reside and work. Whether spending an afternoon at a local soup kitchen or participating in meaningful dialogue surrounding leadership with fellow professionals, IICF members never run short of ways to give back and engage with their communities. These opportunities include:
- Week of Giving and service projects: A service-focused week in October in which members of the insurance industry donate their time to participate in 200-plus service events held across the United States. Service areas include education, food programs, homeless services, youth and children, arts, women's programs and many more.
- Networking events: Events (such as the Casino Night) that are designed to bring the industry closer together while raising money to support funding and programming for IICF's regional grants committees.
- Annual dinners: Formal gala events hosted once a year in each of IICF's four domestic regions, as well as in its London Division. Each dinner features celebrity speakers, guest speaker appearances and industry honorees.
- Women in Insurance Conference Series: IICF's flagshipconference event takes place every year in June, with the format switching each year between one three-day event in New York City and four, single-day events in key metro areas across the U.S. Proceeds from the conference fund IICF programming at the national and regional levels.
Combining the collective strengths of the insurance industry, IICF enriches communities and lives. As IICF and its supporters gear up for the 2016 Week of Giving in October, take a moment to learn more and get involved in a service project near you at IICF's website.
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