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Progressive Insurance Foundation

Annual Giving
$11.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $7.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11,743,224 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable
  • Grant Range: $100 (employee-directed) to multi-million dollar strategic grants
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Ohio (Cleveland area), with employee-directed giving nationwide

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
Progressive Insurance Foundation
PO Box 51080
Cleveland, OH 44101-0105

Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Website: Information available through www.progressive.com/about/purpose/community-involvement/

Overview

The Progressive Insurance Foundation was established in 2001 as the corporate foundation of Progressive Insurance Corporation, receiving its IRS tax-exempt status in 2002. With total assets exceeding $25 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $11.7 million, the foundation operates through two primary mechanisms: strategic grantmaking to highway safety initiatives (particularly the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and employee-directed charitable giving through the "Name Your Cause" program. The foundation's mission centers on supporting causes that Progressive employees care about while reaching communities where the company and its customers live and work. Unlike traditional foundations, Progressive Insurance Foundation does not maintain a public grant application process for nonprofits, instead focusing on pre-selected strategic partnerships and facilitating employee philanthropy across civic, cultural, educational, environmental, health care, human services, and religious sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Highway Safety Grants The foundation provides substantial ongoing support to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to reduce human traumas and the economic cost of auto accidents. Grant amounts are not publicly disclosed but represent a significant portion of the foundation's annual giving.

Name Your Cause Employee Giving Program

  • Individual grants: $100 per employee recommendation
  • Application method: Employee-nominated only (not available to nonprofits directly)
  • Timing: Annual program for Progressive employees

Driving Small Business Forward Program Note: This is a separate Progressive Insurance initiative (not administered through the foundation):

  • Grant amount: $50,000 per recipient (2025 program)
  • Number of awards: 20 grants totaling $1 million
  • Focus: Commercial vehicle purchases for small businesses
  • Application: Through Hello Alice platform (open application)

Priority Areas

  • Highway Safety & Research: Primary strategic focus through IIHS support
  • Employee-Selected Causes: Civic organizations, cultural institutions, educational programs, environmental initiatives, health care services, human services, and religious organizations
  • Community Support in Ohio: Particular emphasis on Cleveland and Mayfield Village areas
  • Homelessness Prevention: Partnerships with organizations like Humble Design (Cleveland location launched 2020) and Family Promise
  • Veterans Support: Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway program (1,000+ vehicles donated since 2013)
  • Technology Access: Support for PCs for People and IT education for high school students in Cleveland

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list explicit exclusions, but effectively does not fund:

  • Organizations without a connection to Progressive employees
  • Unsolicited grant requests from nonprofits
  • Organizations outside their strategic focus areas (unless employee-nominated)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by Progressive Insurance executives who serve without compensation:

  • Susan Patricia Griffith: Trustee (President and CEO of Progressive Corporation)
  • Lori A. Niedest: Trustee
  • William L. Clawson: Trustee
  • John P. Sauerland: Trustee
  • James L. Kusmer: Trustee
  • Michael Grathwol: Trustee
  • Peter J. Albert: Trustee

The leadership structure reflects the foundation's role as a corporate giving vehicle, with oversight from Progressive's executive team ensuring alignment with company values and strategic priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Progressive Insurance Foundation does not have a public application process for nonprofits seeking grants.

The foundation operates through two closed channels:

  1. Strategic Partnerships: The foundation makes grants to pre-selected organizations, primarily the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These partnerships are determined by trustee discretion and corporate strategy, not through an application process.

  2. Employee-Directed Giving: The only pathway for nonprofits to receive support is through the "Name Your Cause" program, where Progressive employees nominate their chosen charities. Nonprofits cannot apply directly; they must be nominated by a current Progressive employee.

For the Employee-Directed Program:

  • Eligibility: Any 501(c)(3) public, tax-exempt charitable organization in civic, cultural, educational, environmental, health care, human services, or religious sectors
  • Amount: $100 per employee nomination
  • Process: Progressive employees select charities through an internal nomination system
  • Nonprofits cannot contact the foundation directly to be included in this program

Getting on Their Radar

Cultivate Employee Relationships
Since the only accessible funding pathway is through employee nominations in the "Name Your Cause" program, nonprofits should focus on building relationships with Progressive Insurance employees. This includes maintaining engagement with current donors or volunteers who work at Progressive and encouraging them to nominate your organization during Progressive's annual giving period (typically aligned with Giving Tuesday and year-end campaigns).

Geographic Proximity
Organizations in Cleveland and Mayfield Village, Ohio, where Progressive has significant operations, may have greater opportunity for employee awareness. Progressive also has a national workforce, so employee-nominated giving is available nationwide.

Align with Corporate Values
While not guaranteeing access, organizations working in areas that align with Progressive's demonstrated interests—highway safety, homelessness prevention, veterans support, and technology access—may resonate more with Progressive employees who might nominate them.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable—the foundation operates on a trustee-discretionary basis for strategic grants and through an employee nomination cycle for the "Name Your Cause" program.

Success Rates

Success rates are not applicable as there is no public application process. Employee-nominated organizations that meet 501(c)(3) eligibility criteria appear to receive the $100 donation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since there is no public application process, traditional success factors do not apply. However, nonprofits should understand:

For Employee-Directed Giving:

  • Maintain Strong Community Presence: Organizations with active volunteer bases and donor engagement are more likely to be nominated by employees who have direct experience with their work
  • Fall within 501(c)(3) Public Charity Status: Private foundations and non-charitable organizations are not eligible for the Name Your Cause program
  • Diverse Mission Categories Accepted: The foundation accepts nearly any type of 501(c)(3) public charity, from civic and cultural to environmental and religious organizations

For Strategic Partnerships:

  • These appear to be invitation-only and determined by corporate strategy
  • Focus on highway safety and automotive-related initiatives aligns with the foundation's primary strategic grantmaking
  • Organizations should not expect to access this funding stream without prior relationship or invitation from Progressive leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Grant Applications: The Progressive Insurance Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals from nonprofits and operates primarily through trustee-selected strategic partnerships and employee-directed giving
  • Employee Connection is Key: The only realistic pathway for most nonprofits is to be nominated by a Progressive employee through the "Name Your Cause" program ($100 donations)
  • Strategic Grants are Pre-Selected: Large grants go to pre-determined partners like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; these are not available through application
  • Corporate Foundation Model: This is a closed corporate foundation focused on employee engagement and specific strategic priorities rather than open grantmaking
  • Ohio Focus for Direct Community Investment: Beyond employee-giving, Progressive's community initiatives concentrate heavily on Cleveland and surrounding areas
  • Consider Alternative Progressive Programs: While the foundation itself doesn't have open applications, Progressive Insurance runs separate initiatives like "Driving Small Business Forward" (through Hello Alice) that do accept public applications—these are not foundation grants but direct corporate programs
  • Not Worth Pursuing Directly: Grant writers should not invest time developing proposals for this foundation unless they have a specific employee champion or have been directly invited by Progressive leadership

References

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