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GEICO Philanthropic Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6-8 million (averaged over the last two decades; $7.1 million in 2023)
  • Foundation Assets: $101 million+
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Number of Grants: 7 awards in 2023 (consolidated to fewer, larger grants in recent years)
  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $473,000 (based on recent grant activity)
  • Founded: 1982

Contact Details

Email: communityfunding@geico.com

Website: https://www.geico.com/philanthropic-foundation/

Address: 5260 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-3701

EIN: 52-1202740

Overview

The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, established in 1982, is the charitable arm of GEICO insurance company. With assets exceeding $101 million, the Foundation has supported over 7,000 charitable organizations over its 40+ year history. The Foundation's mission is to strengthen diverse communities across the United States by supporting organizations that provide programs and resources to help individuals access educational and employment opportunities. In recent years, the Foundation has shifted to making fewer but larger strategic grants, awarding approximately $7.1 million in 2023 through 7 grants. The Foundation operates through employee-driven nominations via its annual FastPitch campaign and strategic partnerships with national nonprofits, rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

FastPitch Campaign

  • Annual employee-driven grant competition
  • $1 million distributed to 100+ charities in 2024
  • Individual grants typically range from $10,000-$15,000
  • GEICO employees nominate charities, peers vote, and finalists pitch to a committee

Strategic Partnerships

  • Larger multi-year partnerships with national organizations
  • Recent partners include Dress for Success, Shoes That Fit, United Way, and National Urban League
  • Grants appear to be substantially larger (averaging $473,000 based on recent 990 data)

GEICO Military Service Awards

  • Six annual $2,500 grants to enlisted military members (one per branch, plus one reserve/national guard)
  • Recognizes contributions in drug/alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety, and traffic safety

Priority Areas

Education

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programs
  • Early childhood learning and development
  • Safety education
  • Educational resources for diverse communities
  • "I Am Ready" signature initiative supporting Title I Schools

Community Engagement

  • Financial literacy programs
  • Food insecurity initiatives
  • Environmental conservation
  • Animal welfare and advocacy
  • Health and wellness programs

Promoting Equity

  • Equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
  • Programs supporting underserved and diverse communities
  • Organizations addressing systemic barriers

Special Focus Areas

  • Serious injury rehabilitation
  • Automotive safety
  • Children's services
  • Support for active military members

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not provide information about specific exclusions, but they:

  • Only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations
  • Do not accept unsolicited grant proposals
  • Focus exclusively on U.S.-based organizations

Governance and Leadership

The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors, all of whom serve without compensation:

Board of Directors:

  • Alison Fazio - President, Treasurer, and Chairwoman (also serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at GEICO)
  • Christopher Nowack - Secretary
  • LaDonna Bond - Director
  • Tracy Brown - Director
  • Tangela Richter - Director

The volunteer nature of the board reflects the Foundation's close integration with GEICO's corporate culture and commitment to community service.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRITICAL: The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

The Foundation operates exclusively through two channels:

  1. Employee Nominations (FastPitch Campaign): Organizations must be nominated by a GEICO employee through the annual FastPitch competition. The process includes:

    • Employee submits nomination for their favorite charity
    • Peer voting determines which submissions advance
    • Top finalists pitch live to a committee
    • Grant awards announced and distributed

  2. Strategic Partnership Selection: The Foundation proactively identifies and approaches organizations for multi-year partnerships based on alignment with their strategic priorities.

For inquiries or updates, organizations may contact: communityfunding@geico.com

Getting on Their Radar

Building Connections with GEICO Employees The most direct path to funding is through the FastPitch campaign, which requires a GEICO employee champion. Organizations should:

  • Network with GEICO employees: The Foundation awards grants based on employee nominations. If your organization serves communities where GEICO has offices, building relationships with GEICO employees who are passionate about your cause is essential.

  • Engage with GEICO Cares Advocates: GEICO has volunteer coordinators called "GEICO Cares Advocates" at their offices who help connect employees with local organizations. Reaching out to invite GEICO employee volunteer groups to your organization could lead to employee champions.

  • Visibility in Communities with GEICO Presence: GEICO has offices across the United States. Organizations should increase their visibility and reputation in communities where GEICO maintains a significant employee presence.

Strategic Partnership Pathway For larger organizations seeking substantial funding:

  • Demonstrate National Impact: The Foundation's recent shift toward fewer, larger grants suggests they seek partners with significant scale and proven impact across diverse communities.

  • Align with Priority Areas: Organizations with programs addressing education (especially STEM and early childhood), equity/diversity/inclusion, or community engagement are strongly aligned with Foundation priorities.

  • Show Employee Engagement Opportunities: GEICO emphasizes associate volunteerism. Organizations that can offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for GEICO employees may be more attractive as partners.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by program:

  • FastPitch Campaign: Annual cycle with nominations, voting, and pitch events occurring throughout the year, typically culminating in grant announcements in a single cycle
  • Strategic Partnerships: Timeline unknown; likely involves extended discussions and relationship building

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. However, the Foundation's recent grant-making pattern provides context:

  • In 2023, only 7 major grants were awarded from the Foundation's primary strategic giving
  • The FastPitch campaign distributed 100+ smaller grants in 2024
  • Over its history, the Foundation has supported 7,000+ organizations, but current grant-making is significantly more selective

Reapplication Policy

Since the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there is no formal reapplication policy. Organizations can be nominated multiple times through the FastPitch campaign by GEICO employees.

Application Success Factors

Given the Foundation's unique structure, success depends entirely on employee advocacy and strategic alignment:

For FastPitch Campaign:

  • Employee Champion Quality: The nominating employee must be passionate, articulate, and skilled at rallying peer support
  • Local Impact Demonstration: Organizations should clearly demonstrate impact in the local community where the nominating employee works
  • Compelling Story: The pitch must emotionally resonate with GEICO employees who vote and the final committee
  • Feasibility: Clear, achievable goals for how grant funds will be used

For Strategic Partnerships:

  • Scale and National Reach: Recent partnerships (Dress for Success, Shoes That Fit, United Way, National Urban League) are all national organizations with local chapters
  • Alignment with Foundation Priorities: Strong focus on education, equity, or community engagement
  • Volunteer Engagement Opportunities: Ability to engage GEICO associates in hands-on volunteering
  • Proven Track Record: Established organizations with demonstrated impact and strong reputation
  • Diverse Communities Focus: Foundation emphasizes supporting organizations serving diverse populations

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Glen Cove EOC received $15,000 to provide programs and services to low-income families
  • Shoes That Fit partnership distributed 500+ pairs of shoes to elementary school students
  • Dress for Success partnership included scholarships, certifications, and success bags for unemployed/underemployed women
  • National Urban League and United Way for community-wide impact initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Unsolicited Applications: Do not submit a traditional grant proposal. Focus efforts on building relationships with GEICO employees or increasing organizational visibility for potential strategic partnership consideration.

  • Employee Connection is Essential: For the FastPitch campaign (most accessible pathway), you must have a GEICO employee who believes in your mission enough to champion your organization through a competitive internal process.

  • Think Local for FastPitch, National for Strategic Grants: FastPitch grants ($10,000-$15,000) favor local organizations with direct community impact. Strategic partnerships (much larger) require national scale.

  • Demonstrate Equity and Diversity Commitment: Foundation explicitly prioritizes organizations supporting diverse communities and advancing equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion.

  • Offer Volunteer Opportunities: GEICO strongly emphasizes employee engagement and volunteerism. Organizations that can provide meaningful ways for GEICO associates to serve are more attractive.

  • Education and Youth Focus Resonates: Many funded initiatives involve children, students, and educational opportunities, particularly in STEM and early childhood development.

  • Be Patient and Relationship-Focused: This is not a transactional funder. Success requires long-term relationship building either with employees or with Foundation leadership for strategic partnerships.

References

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