MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) contributed more than $1.6 million in 2011 to Twin Cities-based nonprofit organizations focused primarily on financial literacy and senior services. Company contributions were awarded through strategic relationships, a grant program, scholarships, and employee volunteer programs.

“We are proud to support the crucial work of many nonprofit organizations throughout the Twin Cities, through both financial contributions and volunteer efforts,” said Allianz Life President and CEO Walter White. “Allianz Life employees truly enjoy the opportunity to engage with these organizations. I see it in the camaraderie we have during events, our community spirit, and our ownership and pride in exceeding community giving goals.”

Allianz Life gave grants totaling $275,000 to nonprofits that focused their efforts on financial literacy education or training and/or retirement. The company also awarded $275,000 worth of grants to organizations that strive to improve the lives of Twin Cities’ seniors by providing services that enhance seniors’ quality of life.

Employee Engagement – Volunteerism
Allianz Life provides every employee eight hours of paid time off annually to use to volunteer. In 2011, more than 500 employees took advantage of time off to volunteer in the community. “Throughout the organization there is a genuine commitment to volunteerism – this is the heart of Allianz Life,” White said. More than 3,400 hours were contributed equaling more than $73,000 in volunteer help to area nonprofits.

Driving To Donate Golf Tournament and Spirit of Giving Campaign
More than 300 employees and vendors participated in the company’s annual Driving To Donate Charity Golf Tournament. More than 1,000 Allianz Life employees supported the event through purchasing the month of August as casual for $20 to support the effort. Allianz Life gave the event’s proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND, which ties to one of the company’s focus areas, senior services. In 2011, the event raised more than $136,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND.

Each year in November and early December, Allianz Life organizes its annual Spirit of Giving Campaign. The campaign involves a huge food, clothing and toy drive to benefit PRISM (a nonprofit organization based in Golden Valley, Minn.) and Toys for Tots. The 2011 campaign raised more than 25,000 lbs. of food; more than 20,000 lbs. of clothes; more than 3,000 toys; more than $74,000 to PRISM and nearly $32,000 for Toys for Tots.

Financial Literacy Initiative – BestPrep and Junior Achievement
The financial literacy initiative with BestPrep and Junior Achievement seeks to help youth in the Twin Cities. In 2011, each organization received $100,000 as well as volunteer support from Allianz Life employees during the school year. During the 2010-11 school year, more than 500 employees were involved in the BestPrep and Junior Achievement partnership programs.

Now in its second full school-year, Allianz Life employees are engaged in many JA and BestPrep programs including: JA in a Day; eMentors/Job Shadow; Mock Interviews; Financial Matters; the Stock Market Game and Minnesota Business Venture, all helping students further their education and financial literacy.

BestPrep is a statewide, nonprofit organization with a mission to best prepare Minnesota students with business, career and financial literacy skills through experiences that inspire success in work and life.

With 11 chapters in Minnesota, Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.

Financial Literacy Grants

In addition to the BestPrep and Junior Achievement partnerships, grants totaling $275,000 were awarded to nonprofits that focused their efforts on financial literacy education or training and/or retirement.

2011 Financial Literacy Grant Recipients

1. CLUES - $20,000 – to support their Financial Empowerment program.
2. CLIMB Theater, Inc. - $20,000 – to support their play, “Emma and the Allianz Cash Cow.”
3. WomenVenture - $25,000 – to support their Financial Education program.
4. Emerge - $20,000 – to support their North Minneapolis Financial Opportunity Center.
5. People Serving People - $20,000 – to support their Financial Fitness program.
6. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, Inc. - $25,000 – to support their Financial Literacy program.
7. La Conexion de las Americas - $25,000 – to support their Financial Achievement Process .
8. Neighborhood Development Center - $20,000 – to support their Financial Literacy as part of new Entrepreneur Training and Technical assistance program.
9. Twin Cities RISE! - $20,000 – to support their Financial Empowerment I and II classes.
10. LifeTrack Resources - $15,000 – to support their Financial Literacy program.
11. Project for Pride in Living - $20,000 – to support their Employment Training – Financial Coaching program.
12. Freeport West - $5,000 – to support their Life Skills program.
13. Admission Possible - $10,000 – to support their Financial Literacy curriculum.
14. AccountAbility Minnesota - $20,000 – to support their Integrated Financial Services and Education at Tax Time.
15. CommonBond Communities - $10,000 – to support their Career Advantage – Financial Literacy Program.

Senior Services Grants
Allianz Life also awarded $275,000 of grants to organizations that strive to make a significant positive impact on the lives of Twin Cities’ seniors by providing services that enhance seniors’ quality of life (social vitality through social activity and interaction) and self-sufficiency (related to food, transportation, adaptive, and basic living needs).

2011 Senior Services Grant Recipients:

1. Store To Door - $20,000 – to support their capacity-building to reach more homebound seniors through their grocery-delivery program
2. Presbyterian Homes and Services Foundation - $20,000 – to support their Creative Services food delivery program
3. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly - $20,000 – to support their LBFE programs
4. Senior Community Services - $20,000 – to support their Frail Elderly Support Services
5. PRISM - $25,000 – to support their PRISM Express Transportation program
6. Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches - $10,000 – to support their Paint-A-Thon and HandyWorks programs
7. Intercongregation Communities Association - $10,000 – to help purchase a refrigerated truck to deliver seniors’ groceries
8. The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation - $15,000 – to support their Wilder Aging Services program
9. Catholic Charities - $15,000 – to support their Aging Services program
10. DARTS - $20,000 – to support their Community Services for Older Adults and Caregivers program
11. Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) - $15,000 – to support their Food and Transportation program for seniors
12. Keystone Community Services - $20,000- to support their Seniors program.
13. Minneapolis Institute of Arts - $15,000 – to support their Discover Your Story program
14. Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors - $5,000 – to support their program
15. Nokomis Healthy Seniors - $10,000 – to support their Living Well at Home program
16. The Arthritis Foundation - $10,000 – to support their Exercise Programs for seniors
17. Courage Center - $10,000 – to support their Senior Health, Wellness and Fitness program
18. Goodwill Industries, Inc. - $15,000 – to support their Medical Equipment Loan program

Employee-Elected Charities
In 2011, Allianz Life employees chose four local charities for $25,000 grants and participation in events –the American Cancer Society, HopeKids, Animal Humane Society, and the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota. Nearly 300 Allianz Life employees participated in fundraising events for these charities throughout the year. The 2012 slate of charities will be announced in February.

Make a Difference (MAD) Volunteer Project
Allianz Life encourages employees to volunteer for charities they care about, creating an activity or project in groups of five employees or more. Employees can do hands-on projects, fundraising walks, runs, etc. and they qualify for $100 per employee to the organization in support of the event. In 2011, more than $100,000 was distributed to nonprofit organizations as more than 1,000 employees participated in volunteer projects during the year.

Scholarship Program
Every year, Allianz Life presents scholarships to students who are family members of employees based on academic performance and community service. In 2011, Allianz Life awarded $30,000 in scholarships.

For more information about Allianz Life’s community giving programs, visit http://www.allianzlife.com and review the information under Corporate Commitment.

Community Relations Recognition
The company received the Community Partner Award in April 2011 by the Corporate Volunteerism Council for its financial literacy initiative with Junior Achievement and Best Prep. In September the company was recognized with the prestigious Jefferson Award from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for corporate philanthropy and volunteerism.

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2012, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 150,000 employees worldwide. More than 75 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.

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Allianz Life Contributes More Than $1.6 Million to Local Charities in 2011