SAINT PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Travelers Companies, Inc. and its private foundations granted
more than $17 million to charitable organizations across the country
in fiscal year 2007. Travelers has been active in the communities
where it does business for decades, investing in organizations
committed to education, community development and arts and culture,
and increasing opportunities for people to succeed.
Education Access
National trends indicate that higher percentages of students
enrolled in K-12 schools will be from communities underserved by the
educational system. These growing populations of students are less
likely to graduate from high school, enroll in post-secondary
education and complete a college degree. Travelers is committed to
increasing access to higher education and providing students with the
opportunity to excel.
"Underserved students face a unique set of obstacles that can
interfere with their ability to complete their course work," says
Marlene Ibsen, CEO and president of the Travelers Foundation.
"Research shows these students are much more likely to achieve success
if they have a broad range of supportive programs available."
In 2007, Travelers launched its Education Access Initiative, a
program designed to remove the barriers to college that underserved
students face and help students progress from elementary school to a
rigorous high school curriculum which will prepare them to enter
college able to compete on an equal level with their peers.
Professional development and mentorship opportunities are also in
place to build an awareness of, and to help students access, careers
in insurance and financial services, providing them with a competitive
edge to career success. The initiative is in partnership with the
Carlson School at the University of Minnesota, the University of
Connecticut, the Minnesota College Access Network, Metropolitan State
University in Saint Paul and Capital Community College in Hartford,
and has provided more than $1.5 million in grants in its inaugural
year. Travelers provided more than $4 million in additional
education-related grants in 2007.
Community Development
Creating new opportunities in housing, employment and economic
development is a priority for Travelers. The company provided $4.8
million in support to organizations that empower individuals from
urban, low-income and underserved areas to become self sufficient,
productive members of the community. "Our investments are aimed to
provide disadvantaged youth and adults with the social and economic
opportunities they need to succeed," said Ibsen.
Examples of programs funded include: a grant to the City of
Hartford Police Department to support a truancy prevention and
intervention program that uses community partnerships to accomplish
improved school attendance, delinquency diversion, positive youth
development and achievement recognition; funding to the Neighborhood
Development Center for economic development assistance to new
entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities; and a grant to the Chinatown
Community Development Center for neighborhood advocacy and affordable
housing development in San Francisco.
Arts and Culture
Travelers recognizes the importance of preserving cultural
heritage, and is committed to supporting organizations that enrich
lives and communities through arts and culture. "The arts bring
vibrancy to our communities, and provide us with an opportunity to
learn about other cultures and discover common interests," said Ibsen.
Highlights of $2.7 million in arts and culture giving include:
funding to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for diverse productions
and access programs for low-income individuals; a grant to the
Hartford School of Music to provide scholarships for low-income
students to attend a post-secondary Diploma School that prepares them
for careers in the performing arts; and funding to Art with a Heart to
bring interactive art activities to disadvantaged families and
children and people with developmental and physical challenges living
in the Baltimore area.
A complete list of grants made by Travelers and its private
foundations is available on the Web site at
www.travelers.com/community.
About Travelers
Travelers provides support for charitable organizations in the
community through the Travelers Foundation. Travelers (NYSE: TRV) is a
leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through
independent agents and brokers. Travelers' community giving remains
focused on community development, education and the arts. The
company's employees are consistently active in community initiatives
and give thousands of hours in volunteer time each year. For more
information, visit www.travelers.com.
Source: Travelers
Contact: Travelers
Media Contacts:
Erin Haberman, 860-277-3617
or
Gail Liebl, 651-310-6902