Insurance Industry Charity Gala Makes a Difference
The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) held its annual benefit gala on May 7, 2004, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The gala hosted nearly 400 insurance industry representatives for an elegant evening, which included a silent auction, live auction and gourmet dinner for guests.
This year, IICF paid special tribute to Joseph P. Brandon, chairman and CEO of General Re Corporation for his dedicated service to the community and the insurance industry. Brandon has been credited by Berkshire Hathaway’s Chairman Warren Buffett with providing leadership that led to “enormous progress” for the company. He also serves on the board of directors for Insurance Services Offices Inc., and is chairman of the board of the Reinsurance Association of America. General Re Corp. has been an active supporter of IICF since its inception.
The crowd was entertained during the silent auction and reception by one of IICF’s grantees, a student string quartet from the Crowden School in Berkeley, which is part of IICF’s Music in Schools program.
IICF formed in 1994 to diversify support for a variety of local nonprofits throughout California and has been noted as one of the nation’s only industry-driven charity of its kind, no matter what the industry. The four targeted focus areas for IICF grants include: awareness and prevention of child abuse; targeted educational programs; disaster preparedness; and health and quality of life. In 2003, for the fourth consecutive year, the IICF gave more than $1 million in grants to nonprofits in California.
“Following the gala, the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation is well on target to exceed its goal of distributing $1million in grants for the sixth successive year,” said Karen Chin, CEO of IICF. Overall, the gala raised about $35,000 for IICF. But more importantly, the event provides IICF supporters with an opportunity to celebrate its charitable efforts, while making a difference to nonprofit organizations in local communities statewide.
IICF Chairman Dennis Doyle, senior vice president of American Re, noted in his remarks that the impact that the thousands of hours of volunteerism generated through IICF Bridge Week is a continuing source of pride for the industry. He thanked the companies that have used their IICF Bridge Week projects as an introduction to quality programs serving local community needs, but then have developed a continuing relationship of support for those social agencies throughout the year. IICF Bridge Week 2004, he announced, will run Oct. 9-17.
And after 11 years of making a difference to local nonprofits on the West Coast, the IICF is looking forward to its expansion on the East Coast. Plans are underway to form a chapter in the greater-New York area, led by IICF’s Mary Lanning. For more information on IICF, visit www.iicf.org or call (510) 208-0833.