Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation Named Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation

April 26, 2017

(Arlington, VA) Nationwide, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world, and the Nationwide Foundation have been named Outstanding Corporation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

The award will be presented Tuesday, May 2, at AFP’s 2017 International Fundraising Conference in San Francisco.

The company’s extraordinary corporate citizenship programs are delivered through the philanthropy of the Nationwide Foundation and the generous volunteerism and workplace giving of its associates. Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation contributed nearly $400 million to nonprofit organizations across the county ― including the American Red Cross, Feeding America®, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and United Way, which received $122 million in matching funds from associate, agent and retiree contributions through the company’s annual campaign.

In 2006, the foundation pledged the largest gift in its history, granting $50 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Over the last four years, the foundation has gifted the hospital with an additional $40 million in grants to establish and support the Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund.

“To be recognized as an ‘Outstanding Corporation’ for our work in the community by an organization that sees the best of the best is a tremendous honor, thank you,” said Chad Jester, Nationwide’s vice president of corporate citizenship and president of the Nationwide Foundation. “We’re grateful to the Community Shelter Board for both nominating us and for its partnership in working to alleviate homelessness and its underlying causes.”

The Nationwide Foundation also supports a wide range of causes and charities. One example is the Community Shelter Board. In 2014, the foundation made a lead investment in the shelter’s campaign to open a new center with multiple programs to address the growing number of men, women and families experiencing homelessness. Nationwide Foundation’s total support of $3 million caused other organizations to follow the company’s lead, resulting  in nearly $31 million raised for capital costs, operations and services.

Giving back and creating strong communities is ingrained in the company’s character and exemplified by the generous volunteerism and workplace giving of its associates. Last year alone, Nationwide associates raised 4 million meals for Feeding America food banks, volunteered 124,000 hours with nonprofits and donated 14,000 units of blood ― a practice dating back 73 years.

“Not only have we honored Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation for the sheer breadth of their generosity, but also because of the company’s dedication to philanthropy and volunteerism, working closely with local employees to ensure that community needs are addressed through its giving,” said Jason Lee, president and CEO of AFP. “Nationwide is a shining example of corporate philanthropic citizenship, and all of us at AFP are honored to be able to recognize the company for its charitable efforts.”