Advisor and employee volunteerism provides additional support to
organizations
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) recently completed the first of
three funding cycles for 2010, awarding more than $1.1 million to
nonprofit organizations. Seventy-two grants were made under the
company’s three funding platforms: meeting basic needs, supporting
community vitality and volunteer-driven causes.
“Now that the recession has ended, the spotlight is shifting away from
the many Americans who still lack basic necessities such as food and
shelter,” said Brian Pietsch, head of community relations at Ameriprise
Financial. “We remain committed to supporting organizations that will
help people meet their basic needs and work towards self-sufficiency.”
Highlights from the recent grant cycle include:
> Supporting Miriam’s Kitchen, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit
organization that serves approximately 5,000 homeless men and women
annually. A grant from Ameriprise Financial will help the
organization provide nutritious meals and individualized services to
some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Thomas Block, an
Ameriprise financial advisor in Centreville, Va., volunteers with the
organization.
> Helping the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council bring free arts
experiences to a larger and more diverse audience. Funding from
Ameriprise Financial will enable the organization to present live
performances and art installations in public spaces. Productions and
exhibits are often staged in unconventional locations, including vacant
storefronts, public plazas and parks, which helps restore cultural
vitality and provides access to underserved members of the community.
> Funding Hearts & Hammers-Twin Cities, an organization that
enables seniors and physically disabled homeowners to continue living
independently in their own homes. A grant and volunteer support from
Ameriprise Financial will help provide both the financial and physical
resources to ensure homes are weatherproof, safe and secure. These
renovations typically extend the amount of time people can remain in
their own homes and have a positive impact on the surrounding community.
Ameriprise Financial supports domestic hunger relief through its
philanthropic partnership with Feeding America. Recently the company
held food drives in employee centers across the U.S., collecting more
than $50,000 in financial contributions and 2,000 pounds of food, which
were donated to local food banks. Ameriprise Financial also supported
Second Harvest Heartland’s annual Dish event, matching all contributions
of $100 or more. This resulted in a $25,000 contribution to the Twin
Cities-based hunger relief organization.
Ameriprise Financial is currently accepting grant applications for third
cycle 2010 funding. The application deadline is September 1, 2010.
Second cycle grant decisions will be communicated in August.
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 grant-making, volunteerism and employee and advisor
gift matching programs, the company supports a diverse group of over
5,000 nonprofits across the country.
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.
© 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
Grants Awarded: First Cycle 2010
Meeting Basic Needs – 36 grants:AccessAbility, Inc.; Admission
Possible; American Indian OIC, Inc.; AMICUS, Inc.; Bestprep; Catholic
Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Centro
Cultural Chicano, Inc.; Club Horizon; Comunidades Latinas Unidas En
Servicio, Inc.; Economic Empowerment Initiative, Inc.; Greater Green BayHabitat for Humanity, Inc.; Homefront, Inc.; Housing Opportunities for
Women; Jeremiah Program; Junior Achievement of Brazoria County, Inc.;
Junior Achievement of Hawaii; Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest;
Junior Achievement of West Central Florida; Junior League of
Minneapolis; Junior League of Salt Lake City, Inc.; Kulshan Community
Land Trust; La Oportunidad; Minnesota AIDS Project; Minnesota Indian
Womens Resource Center; Miriams Kitchen; People Serving People, Inc.;
Project Bread - The Walk for Hunger, Inc.; Project Women; Inc.;
Rebuilding Together - Twin Cities; RESOURCE, Inc.; Southeast Asian
Refugee Community Home; Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth of
Oklahoma, Inc.; Twin Cities RISE; Urban League of Greater Hartford,
Inc.; Volunteers of America, Inc.
Supporting Community Vitality – 21 grants: Ballet West; Ballet
Works, Inc.; Children's Theater Company and School; Denver Museum of
Natural History; Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies; Guthrie Theatre
Foundation; International Museum of Art and Science; Intiman Theatre;
Junior Achievement of Columbia Empire; Lower Manhattan Cultural Council,
Inc.; Metropolitan Economic Development Association; Minneapolis
Institute of Arts; Minnesota Opera Company; Minnesota Orchestral
Association; Minnesota Shubert Center; Riverview Economic Development
Association; SF Urban Community Housing Corporation; Shakespeare Theatre
Company; Stages Theatre Company, Inc.; University of Minnesota
Foundation - Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum; Walker Art Center, Inc.;
Youth Farm and Market Project
Volunteer-Driven Causes – 10 grants: American Heart Association,
Inc.; Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc.; Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast; Community Hospice
Foundation, Inc.; Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery; Hearts & Hammers -
Twin Cities, Inc.; Hillsborough County Child Advocacy Center; Juvenile
Diabetes Foundation International; St. Joseph Family Center; Visiting
Nurse Association of the Inland Counties
Ameriprise Bank Funded Grants – 5 grants:Aeon Homes; Common
Bond; Emerge Community Development; Common Ground Community; South
Queens Boys & Girls Club
Source: Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Contact:
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Media Relations:
Stacy
Housman, 612-678-7215
stacy.m.housman@ampf.com