EMC Insurance Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,530,673 (2023)
Average Grant Size: ~$12,000
Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000+ (varies by program)
Number of Awards: 127 grants (2023)
Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Iowa and states with EMC branch offices (AZ, ID, KS, NE, PA, and 18+ other states)
Founded: 1989
Cumulative Giving: $33+ million since inception

Contact Details

Foundation Address:
EMC Insurance Foundation
700 Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-3817

Phone: 515-345-2788
Website: https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/community-involvement
Application Portal: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/b5998e0d-ac2d-4b3c-aec0-b18a4910152f

EIN: 42-1343474

Overview

The EMC Insurance Foundation was established in 1989 as the philanthropic arm of EMC Insurance Companies, a member-owned property and casualty insurance organization. The Foundation operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with assets managed and administered by a board of directors. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $33 million in charitable giving (as of 2024).

Each year, EMC Insurance Companies allocates the equivalent of one-tenth of one percent of the prior year's surplus to grantmaking through the Foundation. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $1,530,673 across 127 awards. In 2024, giving totaled $1.55 million supporting 102 nonprofit grants and 88 sponsored community events, with an additional $624,907 in United Way team member giving and company match.

The Foundation's mission aligns with EMC's corporate philosophy: "to improve lives and help communities thrive." According to Scott R. Jean, EMC President and CEO, "At EMC, community is more than just another buzzword. Our mission is to improve lives, and supporting our communities is one of the key ways we demonstrate this."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The EMC Insurance Foundation supports eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through several avenues:

General Grantmaking

Average grant: ~$12,000
Typical range: $1,000 - $10,000+
Applications accepted through online portal
102 nonprofit grants awarded in 2024

Community Event Sponsorships

88 sponsored community events in 2024
Focus on local and regional initiatives

Special Relief Programs

During COVID-19 pandemic, provided $525,000 in additional relief funding
Small Business Recovery Grant Program: $1,000 - $10,000 grants to assist struggling small businesses

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds organizations in the following categories:

Arts and Culture

Support for cultural festivals and celebrations
Arts organizations and preservation initiatives

Education and Youth Development

Educational programs
Youth-focused initiatives
Girls on the Run 5K and similar programs
Beginning Farmer programs

Health and Human Services

Healthcare organizations
Emergency needs assistance
Food security (Feeding America partnerships)

Community Development

Affordable housing initiatives (Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity)
Community infrastructure projects
Accessible parks and recreation areas
Small business support

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)

Iowa Asian Alliance's CelebrAsian
Latino Heritage Festival
Living History Farm's Emancipation Day
Iowa Juneteenth celebrations
Spark DSM Business Incubator

Insurance Education

Programs related to insurance industry education and workforce development

Geographic Focus

The Foundation supports organizations across the United States, with particular emphasis on:

Primary Focus:

Central Iowa (Des Moines metropolitan area) - corporate headquarters location

Secondary Focus - EMC Branch Office States:

Arizona (Peoria/Phoenix area)
Idaho (Boise area)
Iowa (statewide)
Kansas (Wichita area)
Nebraska (Omaha area)
Pennsylvania (Pottstown area)

Broader Geographic Reach: The Foundation has made grants in 23+ states including Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusion criteria are not publicly detailed on the Foundation's website. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly for comprehensive eligibility requirements and restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

EMC Insurance Companies Board of Directors

(The Foundation's assets are managed and administered by the board of directors)

Mary O'Gorman Murray, CPCU - Chair of the Board
Retired from Towers Perrin Reinsurance; appointed March 2007
Education: Chestnut Hill College (B.A.), University of Pennsylvania (M.S. in Education)

Thomas W. Booth
Retired Executive, Lennox International Inc.; appointed March 2002
Education: Iowa State University (B.S.), University of Dallas (M.B.A.)

Tej K. Dhawan
Managing Director, Plains Angels Investor Network; Managing Partner, Mango Seed Investments; appointed February 2023
Education: Central College (B.A.)

Nora M. Everett, J.D.
Retired Chairman of Principal Funds and President, Retirement Savings and Income Solutions, Principal Financial Group; appointed March 2020
Education: Iowa State University (BS), William and Mary Law School (J.D.)

Matthew D. Griffin, J.D.
Runs Legal Department at College Board; appointed March 2016
Education: Williams College (B.A.), London School of Economics (MSc), New York University School of Law (J.D.)

Steven G. Jacobs
Co-Founder, Principal and President of BCC Advisers; appointed March 2014
Education: Drake University (B.S. and M.B.A.)

Ronald W. Jean, FCAS, MAAA
Retired Executive Vice President for Corporate Development at EMCC; appointed March 2009
Education: University of Wisconsin (B.S.), Michigan State University (M.S.)

Scott R. Jean, FCAS, MAAA
President and CEO, EMC Insurance Companies
Board member (appointment date not specified in available materials)

EMC Insurance Companies Leadership

Scott R. Jean, FCAS, MAAA - President and CEO

Executive Vice Presidents:

Ann M. Collins, MBA, CPA - Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth A. Nigut, J.D.
Todd A. Strother, J.D. - Chief Legal Officer

Previous Foundation Leadership:

Sean A. Pelletier, J.D. - Former Executive Director, EMC Insurance Foundation (Phone: 515-345-7390)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Portal:
The EMC Insurance Foundation accepts funding and sponsorship requests through an online application portal powered by YourCause (a Blackbaud platform).

Application URL:
https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/b5998e0d-ac2d-4b3c-aec0-b18a4910152f

Application Requirements:

Organizations must be eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Application submitted through online portal
Applicants may need to create a Blackbaud ID to access the system

Pre-Application Contact: Organizations are encouraged to contact the Foundation for questions:

Phone: 515-345-2788
Website: https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/community-involvement

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines and review periods are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation processes applications throughout the year, with 102-127 grants awarded annually, suggesting regular review cycles.

Success Rates

2023: 127 grants awarded from $1,530,673 in total giving
2024: 102 nonprofit grants awarded from $1,550,000 in total giving

Actual application volume and success rates are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should note the Foundation supported 275+ organizations through various means in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies and restrictions for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly specified. Contact the Foundation directly for guidance on reapplication timelines and processes.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and recent grantmaking patterns, the following factors appear to strengthen applications:

Strategic Alignment

Community Impact Focus:
Projects should demonstrate clear community benefit aligned with EMC's mission to "improve lives and help communities thrive." As CEO Scott Jean stated, "Our ultimate goal, both as a business, and through our community impact work, is to improve lives."

Geographic Connection:
Organizations located in or serving communities where EMC has a presence (Iowa and states with EMC branch offices) appear to receive priority consideration. Central Iowa organizations, particularly those in the Des Moines metropolitan area, are strongly represented in funding announcements.

DEIB Initiatives:
The Foundation has demonstrated strong recent commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. In 2024, EMC had 292 team members participating in 7 business resource groups, indicating organizational commitment to DEIB values.

Program Characteristics

Projects the Foundation Has Recently Supported:

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity - "Framing Our Future" campaign for affordable homeownership; Carter Court Blitz Build (30 EMC team members helped build 8 home exteriors in one week)
Iowa Asian Alliance - CelebrAsian event
Latino Heritage Festival - Cultural celebration
Living History Farm - Emancipation Day programming
YMCA - Girls on the Run 5K
In Harmony Farm - Beginning Farmer program
Spark DSM Business Incubator - Small business support
Feeding America - Food security initiatives
United Way - Book drives, school supply drives, and workplace giving campaign ($624,907 in team member giving and company match in 2024)
Orchard Place - Holiday gift drive (350 gifts for 100 local children)
EMC Insurance Event Center and Meditation Lawn - Community space at Easter Lake North Shore Recreation Area (opened May 2024, one of the most accessible parks in the country)

Organizational Capacity

Volunteer Engagement Opportunities:
EMC emphasizes employee engagement through volunteerism. In 2024, EMC team members contributed 6,149 hours of volunteer time off (VTO). Projects that offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for EMC employees may receive favorable consideration.

Multi-Year Partnerships:
The Foundation appears to support organizations through sustained relationships rather than one-time grants. Organizations like Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Orchard Place receive repeated support across multiple years.

Application Best Practices

Demonstrate Clear Outcomes:
Given the Foundation's emphasis on improving lives and helping communities thrive, applications should include specific, measurable outcomes that demonstrate community impact.

Connect to EMC's Values:
The Foundation's support extends beyond pure grantmaking to include sponsorships, volunteer engagement, and partnership opportunities. Applications that show understanding of EMC's holistic approach to community involvement may stand out.

Consider Timing:
While specific deadlines are not publicly announced, the Foundation appears to make grants throughout the year. Applications aligned with annual giving campaigns (like United Way), cultural celebrations, or community events may benefit from strategic timing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Average Grant Size is Moderate: With an average grant of ~$12,000, the Foundation focuses on supporting numerous organizations rather than making a few large grants. Budget requests should be realistic and aligned with this pattern.
Geographic Proximity Matters: While the Foundation makes grants nationally, organizations in Iowa (especially central Iowa) and states with EMC branch offices appear to have stronger representation in the funding portfolio.
DEIB is a Strategic Priority: Recent giving patterns show significant emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. Projects addressing these themes align well with current Foundation priorities.
Employee Engagement Adds Value: Projects offering volunteer opportunities for EMC employees may receive favorable consideration, as the company values hands-on community involvement alongside financial support.
Apply Through the Online Portal: All applications must be submitted through the YourCause/Blackbaud online portal. Ensure you have or can create necessary login credentials before starting your application.
Demonstrate Sustained Community Impact: The Foundation supports organizations through multi-year relationships. Show how your organization creates lasting positive change in the community.
Align with EMC's Mission: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project will "improve lives and help communities thrive" - language that resonates with the Foundation's core mission and CEO's stated philosophy.

References

EMC Insurance Foundation - Candid Foundation Directory
https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=EMPL009
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Foundation - GuideStar Profile
https://www.guidestar.org/profile/42-1343474
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Foundation - Instrumentl 990 Report
https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/emc-insurance-foundation
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Companies - Community Involvement
https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/community-involvement
Accessed January 2026
"EMC Insurance's 2023 Charitable Giving and Community Impact" - EMC Insurance News, April 8, 2024
https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/news/emc-2023-charitable-giving-and-community-impact
Accessed January 2026
"2024 EMC Charitable Giving and Community Impact" - EMC Insurance News, April 18, 2025
https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/news/emc-s-2024-charitable-giving-and-community-impact
Accessed January 2026
"EMC Announces Additional Pandemic Relief Donations" - EMC Insurance News, June 8, 2020
https://www.emcins.com/aboutemc/news/060820.aspx
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Companies - Board of Directors
https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/boardofdirectors
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Companies - Leadership
https://www.emcinsurance.com/aboutemc/leadership
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/421343474
Accessed January 2026
"EMC announces its 2022 charitable giving and community involvement impact" - International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF)
https://www.icmif.org/news_story/emc-announces-its-2022-charitable-giving-and-community-involvement-impact/
Accessed January 2026
EMC Insurance Companies - ESG Commitment, Corporate Review
https://corporatereview.emcins.com/esg-commitment/
Accessed January 2026