Insurance Management Associates Foundation (IMA Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,082,425 (2024)
• Success Rate: ~35% (estimated)
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (average ~$2,300)
• Geographic Focus: Communities where IMA has offices (60+ cities across 23 states)

Contact Details

Website: https://imacorp.com/foundation
Email: foundation@imacorp.com
Phone: 316-267-9221
Application Portal: Online via website
Pre-Application Support: foundation@imacorp.com

Overview

Founded in 1975 alongside IMA Financial Group's incorporation, the Insurance Management Associates Foundation has grown into a significant regional funder with over $10 million in assets and annual grant distributions exceeding $1 million. The foundation awarded 469 grants totaling $1,082,425 to 136 nonprofit organizations in 2024, representing the charitable commitments of IMA's employee-owners across the United States. Led by Foundation President Ruth Rohs and Board Chair Jeana Hutchings, the foundation focuses on creating economic stability and strengthening community resilience in communities where IMA operates. In 2024, the foundation underwent a strategic realignment, shifting from broader social service funding to three focused areas: workforce development, financial literacy, and emergency preparedness. Beyond direct grants, the foundation matched $286,000 in employee donations and facilitated 13,100 volunteer hours through its Dollars for Doers program, raising an additional $1.35 million through foundation events.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (average $2,300)

• Application method: Online portal with fixed deadlines (Spring: April 6, Fall: October)
• Review cycle: Twice yearly by Board of Trustees
• Volume: 469 grants to 136 organizations in 2024

Employee Matching Gifts Program: Up to dollar-for-dollar match

• Matches associate donations to eligible nonprofits
• Enhanced matching for organizations where associates serve as board members
• 2024 total: $286,000 matched

Dollars for Doers Program: $500 per 20 volunteer hours

• Maximum $1,500 per associate annually
• Generated from 13,100 volunteer hours in 2024

Priority Areas

Workforce Development

• Post-secondary training leading to middle-to-high-wage careers
• Programs from technical schools, community colleges, universities, or accredited institutions
• Must be central to organization's mission
• Focus on advanced training, certifications, and vocational skills

Financial Literacy

• Financial education for individuals and families
• Budgeting, saving, debt management, understanding risk management
• Measurable improvements in financial stability for low-to-moderate income households
• Preference for underserved populations

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Natural disaster mitigation and long-term economic recovery
• Building community capacity for sustained economic recovery
• Does NOT include general emergency response or immediate shelter services

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside IMA office communities
• General emergency response services (fire, police, EMT)
• Programs where focus areas are supplementary rather than central to mission
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations
• Individual assistance or scholarships

Governance and Leadership

Foundation President: Ruth Rohs, Senior Vice President of Purpose at IMA Financial Group
"We work alongside our board of trustees to support nonprofits whose missions drive prosperous communities through economic empowerment and community resilience."

Board Chair: Jeana Hutchings, Executive Vice President, Benefits at IMA Financial Group

Board of Trustees (all volunteer, unpaid):

• 10-member board reviewing applications twice yearly
• Includes IMA executives and community leaders
• Notable members include Laurie Hoag-Winkler, Todd Chanon, Kyle Orndorff

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications submitted online at https://imacorp.com/foundation. Organizations must be located in and serve communities where IMA has offices (60+ locations across 23 states including Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington).

Decision Timeline

• Spring Cycle: Deadline April 6 (5 PM MT), decisions in 8-12 weeks
• Fall Cycle: Deadline October (specific date varies), decisions in 8-12 weeks
• Board reviews "hundreds of applications" per cycle
• Notification via email

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates aren't published, the foundation awarded 469 grants from "hundreds of applications" in 2024, suggesting approximately 35-40% success rate. Average grant size of $2,300 with total distribution of $1,082,425.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent cycles. Contact foundation@imacorp.com for specific guidance on reapplication timing and strategy.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

• Organization must be in an IMA office community (verify specific city eligibility)
• Focus area must be CENTRAL to your mission, not a supplementary program
• Clear demonstration of serving underserved populations receives preference

Funding Sweet Spot: The foundation explicitly states "smaller, focused grant requests may have a higher likelihood of being funded." With average grants around $2,300, requests in the $2,000-$5,000 range align best with their giving patterns.

Workforce Development Applications Should:

• Specify post-secondary credentials or certifications offered
• Document pathways to "middle-to-high-wage careers"
• Include data on job placement rates and wage progression

Financial Literacy Applications Should:

• Define "measurable improvements" in participant financial stability
• Target low-to-moderate income households
• Include curriculum covering budgeting, saving, debt, and risk management

Emergency Preparedness Applications Should:

• Focus on economic recovery, not immediate response
• Build long-term community resilience
• Address natural disaster mitigation strategies

Strengthen Your Application By:

• Mentioning any IMA employee volunteers or board members
• Keeping requests focused and modest (under $5,000)
• Demonstrating clear geographic alignment with IMA offices
• Providing specific metrics for measuring success

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute - verify your service area matches one of IMA's 60+ office locations before investing time in an application • Request small amounts - with explicit preference for "smaller, focused requests" and average grants of $2,300, keep asks under $5,000 • Mission alignment is mandatory - the focus area must be central to your organization's work, not an add-on program • Two chances annually - spring (April) and fall (October) deadlines provide multiple opportunities • Employee connections matter - mention any IMA volunteer involvement or board service • Underserved populations get priority - emphasize services to economically disadvantaged communities • Consider supplementary programs - explore employee matching gifts and Dollars for Doers if IMA associates support your organization

References

1. IMA Foundation official website: https://imacorp.com/foundation (Accessed February 2026)
2. IMA Foundation 2024 Form 990, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237432160
3. IMA Foundation Profile, Cause IQ: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/insurance-management-associates-foundation,237432160/
4. "IMA Foundation Awards $1M+ in Grants" - Press Release, Business Wire, 2024
5. IMA Financial Group Locations: https://imacorp.com/contact
6. Ruth Rohs Executive Profile: LinkedIn and IMA corporate communications
7. Foundation grant statistics from Instrumentl: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/insurance-management-associates-foundation
8. Employee giving programs, Double the Donation: https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/the-ima-financial-group-inc