The UFG Foundation has awarded $212,500 to 25 nonprofit organizations across five states in its most recent funding cycle.
The private foundation of commercial insurance carrier UFG Insurance distributed grants to organizations in Iowa, Arizona, California, Colorado and New Jersey, where the company maintains offices.
“UFG is proud to call Cedar Rapids home for nearly 80 years and we’re equally proud of our coast-to-coast footprint,” said Michael Sheeley, UFG vice president and chief marketing officer and a foundation representative. “The UFG Foundation is honored to mirror that pride by supporting even more communities across the country where our employees live and work.”
Fifteen of the 25 recipients are receiving UFG Foundation grants for the first time.
“These new recipients allow the foundation to uplift communities in new, inspirational ways alongside those nonprofits we’ve known for years,” Mr. Sheeley said. “We welcome applicants that are old or new to our support.”
Iowa grant recipients include the Area Substance Abuse Council, Cedar Rapids Opera, Central Furniture Rescue, CSPS, Ecumenical Community Center Foundation, Feed Iowa First, Horizons, Make-A-Wish Iowa, National Alliance on Mental Illness Johnson County, NewBo City Market, NewBoCo, North Liberty Community Pantry, Save CR Heritage, St. Luke’s Child Protection Center, The Iowa Children’s Museum, Trees Forever, Waypoint and Willis Dady Emergency Shelter.
Out-of-state recipients include 100 Club of Arizona, A Precious Child of Colorado, Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, Children’s Burn Foundation of California, ETM-Colorado, The Joy Bus of Arizona and Rise of New Jersey.
The foundation offers three types of grants: programmatic funding, operating support and capital campaign support under certain circumstances. Qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits that demonstrate a connection to UFG’s vision, mission and values may apply.
Grant cycles occur three times annually. The final application window of 2025 runs through Dec. 31.
Founded in 1946, UFG Insurance, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies.
