St. Paul Travelers and Its Foundations Award $2.8 Million in Fourth Quarter

During the final quarter of 2005, St. Paul Travelers, a property casualty insurance provider based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and its two private foundations, the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation, and the St. Paul Travelers Foundation, which funds organizations outside Connecticut, awarded a total of $2.8 million to organizations that support community development, education, and arts and culture.

For the year, the trio awarded 418 grants totaling more than $15 million. "In 2005, we continued our focus on initiatives that revitalize communities and create opportunities for low-income people," said Mary Pickard, president of the St. Paul Travelers Foundation. "We strongly believe in supporting the work of nonprofits to ensure our communities have both strength and resilience."

In its largest education grant of the quarter, the St. Paul Travelers Foundation awarded $90,000 to the Metropolitan State University Foundation to help at-risk youth in St. Paul and Minneapolis. In addition, it awarded grants supporting access to affordable housing including $40,000 in capital support for the Minnesota chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; $15,000 to the Chinatown Community Development Center for services in low-income areas of downtown San Francisco; and $15,000 to HousingLink in Minneapolis for operating support.

Among grants to Connecticut programs by the company and the Connecticut Foundation were $20,000 to the Capital Region Education Council for a college support specialist at a Hartford high school and $30,000 to the Connecticut Humanities Council for its extended-day literacy program. "The primary focus of our giving philosophy revolves around access," said Marlene Ibsen, president of the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation. "Whether it's access to education, housing, or cultural enrichment, we're partnering with community organizations to build stronger communities and economic opportunities."

To read or download the entire fourth-quarter 2005 grants list (13 pages, PDF), visit: http://www.stpaultravelers.com/about/community/index.html.

“St. Paul Travelers Grants More Than $15 Million to Support Community Organizations in 2005.” St. Paul Travelers Press Release 2/14/06.

Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Secondary Subject(s): Education, Community Improvement/Development, Arts and Culture
Location(s): Connecticut, Minnesota, National, St. Paul, United States

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