IICF raises over $1.1 million at 13th annual benefit dinner
As part of the event's festivities, IICF awarded its "Double I" Award to Markel Corporation.
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, raised $1.14 million at its 13th annual Northeast Benefit Dinner in New York City on Dec. 12.
Held at Cipriani 42nd Street, more than 700 insurance professionals gathered for an evening of networking and philanthropy designed to give back to the community by supporting nonprofits that serve the New York tri-state region.
The benefit dinner featured two celebrity speakers, U.S. Women’s soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm and 60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson. Hamm received a grant to support the Mia Hamm Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds for those in need of marrow or cord blood transplants and supports athletic programs for young women. Dickerson accepted a grant on behalf of Covenant House, an organization that provides housing, support and educational services for homeless youth.
It also featured two speakers from Operation Healing Forces (OHF), a nonprofit founded by Gary Markel, brother of the night’s honoree, Anthony F. Markel. Staff Sergeant Vince Mizerek and Heather Mizerek shared their appreciation for the Markel family and how OHF’s mission to provide emotional and physical support to active duty and recent-veteran wounded, ill and injured Special Operations Forces and their spouses has positively impacted countless people and their families everywhere. Operational Healing Forces was presented with a special grant from IICF.
“This really is the biggest dinner that the IICF does,” says IICF CEO Bill Ross. “I call it the granddaddy of them all.”
The night’s honoree
As part of the event’s festivities, IICF awarded its “Double I” Award to Markel Corporation. Anthony Markel, vice chairman of Markel, accepted the award on behalf of the company. He has an extensive history of personal and professional philanthropy, including his leadership of the City of Hope’s Power of Hope campaign, which raised $1 billion to fight cancer.
“I think the P&C industry has done one heck of a job in terms of recognizing their responsibility as stalwarts of the community,” says Markel. “We feel very strongly at Markel about supporting our employees to become more involved at nonprofits, to contribute to nonprofits, and we try to facilitate it every way we can.”
Markel offers a 3-to1 match, up to a certain limit when employees donate to a charity. In 2018, over 750 employees at Markel took advantage of this donation match. It also gives employees time off to participate in charitable opportunities.
Companies that provide opportunities to give back like this are well-positioned to attract younger professionals going forward. While the industry’s workforce is changing, Markel says the industry’s attitude toward giving back hasn’t changed.
“There’s always been a consciousness of giving back, understanding the needy,” says Markel. “But what has changed is the industry has become much more financially sophisticated and solid.”
Get to know IICF
Whether you’re volunteering time, talent or treasure, all efforts are welcome at IICF.
“You don’t have to be a board member. You can just get involved in the volunteer weeks, you can do any number of things to help us as an industry to shine brighter to the rest of [our] communities,” says Hank Watkins, president at Lloyds America Inc. and IICF Northeast division board chair.
Proceeds from the benefit dinner will fund area nonprofits supporting education, people in need and the environment. Twenty-three organizations were IICF’s Northeast division 2019 recipients of community and local grants. More than $9 million has been granted to local nonprofit and charitable organizations since 2007.
The IICF 2020 benefit dinner will be held on Dec. 9, 2020. Until then, there’s plenty of time to get involved and show how the insurance industry gives back.
“Take some time to get to know us,” says Ross. “Become involved in any way that works for you.”
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