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MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) recently completed the second of three funding cycles for 2008, awarding more than $1 million to nonprofit organizations. Fifty-seven grants were made under the company's three funding platforms: Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Community Vitality and Volunteer Driven Causes.

"During tough economic times, the demand on nonprofits to provide vital services and daily necessities, such as food and shelter, increases substantially," said Brian Pietsch, head of community relations at Ameriprise Financial. "While funding is essential in order for these programs to meet our communities' needs, we are also very proud of our employees and advisors who are dedicating their time and talents to support these important causes."

Highlights from the company's second funding cycle include:

> Helping the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa provide nutritious meals for children. Through the organization's Backpack Buddies Program, 300 youth go home each Friday with a backpack full of food. This basic sustenance, which is provided through a partnership with the Iowa Food Bank and Feeding America, helps feed their families throughout the weekend. The grant from Ameriprise Financial will help ensure the program's sustainability at a time when both food costs and the program's popularity are on the rise. Deniz Franke, CFP^(R), an Ameriprise financial advisor in Des Moines, serves on the organization's board.

> Funding the North Minneapolis Community Support Initiative. A grant from Ameriprise Financial will help the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) provide integrated services that assist low-income families in becoming more independent, help youth make better life choices and ensure that aging adults remain self-sufficient and connected to the community. Outreach to community members and school personnel, conducted by NIP, identified a specific need for additional support in North Minneapolis.

> Providing financial support and volunteers to Desert Mission Food Bank. Located in northern Phoenix, the food bank provides a spectrum of services including emergency food boxes and a low-cost market where eligible, low-income families can purchase food at significantly reduced prices. Funding from Ameriprise Financial will help Dessert Mission purchase equipment that will expedite the acquisition and distribution of food, as well as items that meet the unique needs of the elderly. Ameriprise Financial volunteers also prepare emergency food boxes, adopt families over the holidays and collect food and other essential items for the organization.

Ameriprise Financial is currently accepting grant applications for 2009 funding. Application deadlines are February 1, May 1 and September 1, 2009.

About Ameriprise Financial Community Relations

Ameriprise Financial is dedicated to utilizing the firm's resources, talents and volunteer time to improve the lives of individuals and build strong communities. Through grantmaking, volunteerism and employee and advisor gift matching programs, the company supports a diverse group of over 5,000 nonprofits across the country. Additional information on the company and its Community Relations initiatives can be found at ameriprise.com.

About Ameriprise Financial

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. For more information, visit ameriprise.com.

(C) 2008 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Grants Awarded: 2^nd Cycle 2008

Meeting Basic Needs - 31 grants: AccessAbility, Inc.; Accountability Minnesota; AchieveMpls; Arc Greater Twin Cities; Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, Inc.; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities; Centre for Asians and Pacific Islanders; Children's Home Society & Family Services; Community Hope, Inc.; Community Learning Center ; Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater New Orleans; Feed My Starving Children; Goodwill Industries, Inc.; Habitat for Humanity International, Inc.; House of Charity; Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center; Junior Achievement of South Florida; Junior Achievement of Southwest New England; Lifespan Resources, Inc.; Lifeworks Services, Inc.; Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota; Midtown Assistance Center, Inc.; Minnesota State Council on Economic Education; Ocean Park Community Center; Page Education Foundation; Project for Pride in Living, Inc.; Promise House, Inc.; Samaritan House of Atlanta, Inc.; Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc.; Youth Express; YWCA of Minneapolis

Supporting Community Vitality - 20 grants: AMICUS, Inc.; Austin Classical Guitar Society; BalletMet Columbus; CAMBA, Inc.; Central Square Theater; CHWC, Inc.; Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Complexions Contemporary Ballet; Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Inc.; Harlem Educational Activities Fund, Inc.; HUC-Skirball Cultural Center; Latino Economic Development Center; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; Minneapolis Institute of Arts; Neighborhood Involvement Program, Inc.; Opera San Jose, Inc.; Stockton Symphony Association, Inc.; Twin Cities Public Television, Inc.; United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Westchester Children's Association

Volunteer Driven Causes - 6 grants: Center for Victims of Torture; Desert Mission, Inc.; Habitat For Humanity of Northern Virginia, Inc.; Long Island Crisis Center; Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits, Inc.; YMCA of Greater Indianapolis (Jordan Branch)

    Source: Ameriprise Financial, Inc.