Foundation Annual Report 2023

Photography by Rosa Cabán

Letter from the Executive Director

Whenit comes to corporate philanthropy, the Arbella Insurance Foundation is different.

Robin Jones Executive Director

Arbella Insurance Foundation

An Extraordinary Legacy

The Foundation was founded on the principle of upholding our responsibility to give back and support the members of our communities who need us most. The work we do together is vital to those in need and beneficial to us all. Through this work, we have formed deep bonds with our partner organizations, and with Arbella Insurance Group employees and independent agents.

In 2023, the Foundation distributed $3 million to 516 charitable organizations. We have distributed an incredible $43 million since inception.

Value-Driven Giving and Support

The majority of our funding is distributed to causes identified by Arbella employees and agents. Despite the economic challenges we have all faced over the past few years, the commitment of Arbella employees and agents has never wavered. They continue to make generous donations of their time and dollars, and the Foundation has been there to match and support their efforts. Together with the Foundation, Arbella employees and agents gave $477,000 to causes meaningful to them in 2023.

Promoting fairness and equity is important to us. In 2023, the Foundation’s Social Justice Initiative donated more than $692,000 in grants to 21 organizations doing this critical work throughout New England.

We did this while launching a new donor and grant management system, which will make it easier for Arbella employees and agents to donate and for our benefactors to receive funding.

I am grateful to be working with so many extraordinary people to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.

Sincerely,

Robin Jones

The majority of our funding is distributed to causes identified by Arbella employees and agents. Their commitment has never wavered despite economic challenges.

The Big Picture

John F. Donohue Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Arbella Insurance Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Arbella Insurance Foundation

Inflation, staffing shortages, and an increased demand for services put significant pressures on nonprofits in 2023. Despite these challenges, the Arbella Insurance Foundation remained a reliable supporter of critical community organizations throughout New England.

To address the evolving needs of our communities, we took a two-pronged approach to giving, which both broadened and deepened our impact. We continued our strategic investment in our traditional partners: those who work to address the hunger, homelessness, healthcare, and educational insecurities faced by so many in our region. Additionally, we became more active and focused on social justice initiatives by supporting solutionsfocused programs that are making our communities more just for all people.

The impact we made was not due to dollars alone. Arbella’s employees and independent agents got back to in-person volunteering in a big way participating in runs, walks, food and clothing distribution, and more. As a result of these efforts, the Arbella Insurance Foundation was once again recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of Boston’s Top Corporate Givers.

We expect the challenging economic conditions of 2023 will persist into 2024, but that will not deter us from supporting our communities through the Foundation. We will continue to give, volunteer, and partner with our communities because it is the right thing to do and because we all benefit. I am proud of our teamwork and our culture of generosity. Arbella is very much Here. For Good.

Sincerely,

John F. Donohue

We will continue to give, volunteer, and partner with our communities because it is the right thing to do and because we all benefit.

Arbella Insurance Group Employees

“I am so grateful to work for a company that gives their employees so many opportunities to volunteer. Even a small bit of our time can go a long way for those in need. We have hosted in-house events here in Wakefield that allow all of our employees to participate. Whether it is a clothing drive, holiday gift wrapping, or bagging snacks for our local shelter, the time we spend brings so much happiness to those in need.”

Kathleen Hanley, Total Loss Adjuster, Arbella Insurance Group

“I was looking for an opportunity to get our team to volunteer. Getting guidance from the Foundation is not only easy, but Robin connected us with an organization that needed our help. Our team was partnered with Catie’s Closet, and we spent a portion of our leadership meeting giving back to those in need. I’m grateful to Arbella and the Foundation for making it possible.”

Steven Lin, AVP, Claims, Arbella Insurance Group

The voice of Arbella Insurance Group’s employees differentiates the Arbella Foundation from other corporate philanthropies because employees choose much of where our time and funding are invested. We find that opportunities to give back provides us with a shared sense of purpose and fulfillment. In 2023, the employees helped give more than $170,000 to a broad range of grassroots organizations that are meaningful to them.

More than 470 Arbella employees participated in 40 volunteering events in 2023. Eight of these events were on-site, including packing lunches for Father Bill’s & MainSpring, assembling snack bags for the South Shore YMCA’s after-school program, and carving pumpkins for the New England Wildlife Center’s Night of a Thousand Faces event. Many departments organized off-site volunteering events at organizations, including Community Servings and Catie’s Closet.

In addition to generously giving their time, 2023 was a great year for employee giving. In October, employees and the Foundation came together to donate $50,000 to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—the highest ever raised in the history of Arbella’s “Pink Day” event. Employees and the Foundation also donated $7,700 to 32 food pantries and organizations through the 16th “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” campaign.

Arbella employees from several departments utilized their expertise to plan, build, and launch the Foundation’s new online giving platform. The new system was designed to make it easy to process donations, employee matches, volunteer event registration, and more.

In 2023, Arbella employees helped give more than $170,000 to a broad range of grassroots organizations that are meaningful to them.

Arbella Insurance Group Agents

“Every quarter we identify an organization to support, and for every referral we receive, we donate $20 to that organization. This quarter, we chose M.O. L.I.F.E. because we knew we could really expand our impact for their food pantry through the additional $2-for-$1 match of the Foundation’s “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” program. Serving our community is the bedrock of what we do and it’s really wonderful that Arbella’s Foundation supports us in that.”

Steve Connulty, President & CEO, Paul & Dixon Insurance

“Our team has been overjoyed to help others beyond the office walls and get involved in creating positive and impactful change with non-profits such as Lazarus House Ministries or Lawrence Community Works. We are so grateful to be a part of a company that has created a mission statement and core values that embody the beliefs our individual contributors are so strongly passionate about.”

Olivia Kent, Team Manager - Massachusetts, Bearingstar Insurance

WhenArbella’s independent agents talk, the Foundation listens.

In 2023, Arbella’s agents drew on their deep connections to their communities to refer new and existing charitable partners to the Foundation. Thanks to our agents, we look forward to expanding our relationships with these organizations in the years ahead.

In August, agents donated almost $11,000 to the Dana-Farber/ Jimmy Fund’s Radio-Telethon, bringing the grand total of donations matched by the Foundation to almost $25,000. They partnered with the Foundation to donate $91,000 to 48 organizations through the “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” initiative. And, throughout the year, agents used the Foundation’s Agent Matching Gift Program to donate more than $87,000 to 176 charitable organizations.

Together with the Foundation, Arbella Insurance Group agents donated more than $307,000 to their communities in 2023.

Last year was an active one for the Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund, a division of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. Bearingstar employees donated to hundreds of organizations, including ALS Connecticut, Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut, Healing Hearts, Special Olympics Connecticut, and many more. Bearingstar employees participated in walks, runs, and events such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk, CT Foodshare Walk, and Hope After Loss Run.

Throughout the year, agents used the Foundation’s Agent Matching Gift Program to donate more than $87,000 to 176 charitable organizations.

Innovative Solutions to Complex Problems

“The work being done by nonprofits throughout our region has become critical to the infrastructure of our communities. The issues these organizations face can appear overwhelming in scope and complexity and are often stubbornly ingrained in our systems. Imagine what it is like to do this work every day and be inspired with innovative solutions, only to be hampered by financial constraints. In collaboration with other funders, we are working with several of our long term, nonprofit partners to help them make the significant positive impact they envision.”

John F. Donohue., Chairman, Arbella Insurance Foundation

Complex issues require creative solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. We are inspired by the organizations that work to find unique, comprehensive ways of empowering our communities.

More Than Housing

Father Bill’s & MainSpring is a tireless innovator of effective solutions to homelessness. With the Foundation’s support, they recently renovated an old motel in Brockton, Massachusetts into fully functional, independent housing units, complete with on-site care and social services. The site is much more than a shelter and is aimed at ending the cycles of poverty affecting its residents.

Gleaning the Harvest

Rachel’s Table is helping to popularize the practice of farm gleaning—collecting fruits and vegetables after harvesting and providing them to those in need. Rachel’s Table organizes volunteers to glean farms and give the food to shelters and food programs around western Massachusetts who have come to depend on this produce. Arbella employees participated in this program.

Breaking Down Systemic Racism

The Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology understands that access to education is critical to maintaining diverse workforces and ending the cycles of poverty. Their new educational approach helps students overcome barriers like transportation and childcare, and their new partnership with Arbella’s Human Resources team helps students secure internships and employment upon graduation—including at Arbella.

Driving Legislative Change

Our support of the Driving Families Forward Coalition helped make a legislative difference in ratifying the Work and Family Mobility Act. This bill enables all qualified Massachusetts residents to apply for a standard driver’s license, regardless of immigrant status, while keeping our Commonwealth in full compliance with REAL ID requirements. We joined forces with 230 organizations, dozens of businesses, and the Massachusetts City Chiefs of Police to make it happen.

Arbella employees volunteered in an innovative farm gleaning project with Rachel’s Table to distribute post-harvest food throughout Western Massachusetts.

Social Justice

“In its entire 35 years, Rian Immigrant Center has had no greater partner in progress than Arbella. Everything from Arbella’s Foundation culture, to its amazing staff, are completely focused on taking care of people. This is reflected in their day-to-day work, and their dedication to human services organizations like ours. Arbella’s long-term partnership has led to long-term solutions for those we serve.”

Jacob Bombard, Executive Director, Rian Immigrant Center

“We have always been impressed with the depth of Arbella Insurance Foundation’s commitment to first-time homebuyers. Arbella has been a longstanding partner, taking leaps with us to tackle the racial homeownership gap in new and creative ways. Their support of our innovative STASH: First-Gen Home program helped 100 first-generation homebuyers purchase homes over the past four years.”

Symone Crawford, Executive Director, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance

TheFoundation’s commitment to social justice, equity, and access is long-term.

Arbella Foundation’s Social Justice Initiative – a fund of $5 million to be distributed to organizations addressing social and racial injustices—is in its third year. These funds focus on promoting and providing equitable access to housing, education, and employment.

In 2023, the fund was responsible for donating approximately $700,000 to 21 organizations, including:

Interfaith Social Services: When Interfaith Social Services needed to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of the South Shore’s expanding Asian population, the Foundation helped them hire an Asian Family Connector/Interpreter. This helps provide in-person and virtual mental health counseling and assistance accessing other essential resources.

Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA): In 2019, MAHA launched a pilot program called Saving Toward Affordable and Sustainable Homeownership (STASH) for first-generation homebuyers. STASH seeks to narrow the racial homeownership gap in a state where 70% of white households and just 34.5% of Black, Latinx, and Asian households own their own homes. The Foundation’s grant enabled MAHA to hire additional STASH staff to expand and grow the program.

Rian Immigrant Center: Rian was looking to utilize an integrated online learning curriculum for education and career advancement services for immigrants. Arbella’s Foundation invested in its technological, academic, and career support infrastructure, provided assistance for intensive job coaching and soft skills training, and purchased 133 laptops for Rian’s Laptop Loaning Program for ESOL online learning.

In 2023, the Arbella Foundation Social Justice Initiative donated approximately $700,000 to 21 organizations.

Disaster Relief

“We are deeply grateful for your generous contribution to the Maui Strong Fund. The Arbella Insurance Foundation has shown great compassion and aloha in supporting the recovery of our community. Together, we can make a difference and restore hope for those who have lost so much.”

Micah Kāne, President and CEO, Hawai’i Community Foundation

TheFoundation recognizes that our community is global. We believe that when disasters strike, it is our responsibility to help those in need.

In August, red flag conditions and high winds in Hawaii set the stage for fast-moving, destructive wildfires on Maui. The Foundation gave $25,000 to the Maui Strong Fund of the “Hawai’i Community Foundation,” which provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs of the people and places affected by the Maui wildfires.

In September, almost a foot of rain fell on Central Massachusetts within a few hours. The resulting floods destroyed local farms and other businesses. The Foundation responded by giving $50,000 to the United Way of Central Massachusetts, who distributed the funding to affected farmers and other critical organizations.

We anticipate a rise in weather-related events in the coming years, and we will continue to support our communities through the challenges ahead.

The Arbella Insurance Foundation responded to the Central Massachusetts flood this past fall by giving $50,000 to the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Our Total Impact

“Arbella and the Arbella Insurance Foundation are the epitome of champions for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s life-saving mission. Arbella’s multifaceted and meaningful support to defy cancer sets a powerful example of their unwavering dedication to the Greater Boston community.”

Briana Lynch-Haddad Director of Event Fundraising, Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund

Since2005, the Arbella Insurance Foundation has given more than $43 million to our communities.

In 2023, agents, employees, and the Foundation gave $3 million to 516 charities.

Additionally, many of our employees and agents independently give their time, talent, and treasure to hundreds of other charitable causes and organizations.

Arbella is an adaptable organization. We move with the needs of our communities. We listen to what our employees and agents are advocating for. We keep an eye out for the communities that need our additional support. That’s what makes us here for good.

Since 2005, the Arbella Insurance Foundation has given more than $43 million to our communities.

ALS One

Alzheimer’s Assocation

Alzheimer’s Association - Massachusetts Chapter • American Diabetes Association • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention • American Heart Association • American Parkinson Disease Association - CT

American Red Cross • Amherst Survival Center • Amy’s Angels Corp. • Applied Behavioral Health/Homes for the Brave • Arthritis Foundation • Asian American Civic Association • Autoimmune Association

B+ Foundation • Balanced Learning Center • Baystate Health Foundation • Beaver Brook Association • Behavioral Health Network • Bentley University • Berkshire Agricultural Ventures • Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation • Best Buddies International • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center • Birch Meadow School • Birthday Wishes • Boston Athletic Association • Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation • Boston College • Boston College High School • Boston Community Leadership Academy • Boston Harbor Now • Boston’s Run To Remember • Boston Symphony Orchestra • Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod • Bridge of Faith Youth Center • Broadmeadow Elementary School • Buddy’s Rescue • Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club • Burr Elementary PTO • Business Industry Foundation • Cape Abilities, Inc. • Cape Cod Baseball League • Capital Prep Schools • Cardinal Cushing Center • Cardinal Spellman High School • Caring Health Center • Carroll Center for the Blind • CASPAR • Center for Human Development • Charles Sumner School • Cheverus Catholic School • Children’s Cancer Research Fund • Children’s Hospital Boston • Children’s Room • Christmas Wish CT • CJD Foundation • College of the Holy Cross • Community Giving Tree • Community Health Center of Cape Cod • Community Music Center of Boston • Confikids Inc • Connecticut Foodshare • Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants • Connor’s Kindness Project • Cradles to Crayons • Cranberry Baseball League • Cross Catholic Outreach • Cummings Institute of Technology (Benjamin Franklin Institute) • Cunniff Elementary School • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation • Dakin Humane Society • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute • Dedham Food Pantry • Disabled American Veterans Department of MA • Dove • Down Syndrome Association of CT • East Bridgewater Food Pantry • East Quabbin Land Trust • Easter Seals • Edison K-8 • Education Partners Nigeria • Eliot Elementary school • Ellie Fund • Emergency Food Aid in Southbury • Emmaus House • Ethan M. Lindberg Foundation • Evan Henry Foundation for Autism • Fairfield Police Union Scholarship • Fairfield Road Race • Falmouth Academy • Falmouth Service Center • Family Movement • Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire • Father Bill’s & Mainspring • First Step Inn • FISH of Northwestern CT • Food Bank of Western Massachusetts • Franklin County Community Meals Program • Freetown Elementary School • Friendly Sons of St. Patrick New Bedford • Friends of Marshfield Animal Shelter • Friends of MHS Gymnastics • Friends of the Scituate Animal Shelter • Friends of Wellington Park • Friends of Wompatuck State Park • Friendship Home • Gals Best Pal • Garden School • Gibbons School PTA • Ginny’s Helping Hand • Girls Inc. of Holyoke • Girls Inc. • Glen Urquhart School • Good Neighbors • Good Sports, Inc. • Grafton Food Bank • Greater Boston Food Bank • Greater Lawrence Family Heath Center • Grow Food Northampton • Habitat for Humanity North Central • Haiti180 • Hampshire Regional YMCA • Hanover Food Pantry • Hartford Fire Fighters Association Survivor Fund • Hartford’s Camp Courant • Healey Center for ALS (Bourque Family Foundation) • Healing Hearts Adaptive Recreation • Health Law Advocates • Heritage Museums & Gardens • Higginson Lewis K-8 • Hockey Mom Foundation • Homes for Our Troops • Hope After Loss • Hope Health • Hope Lives, Inc. • Horizons, Inc. • Hosmer Elementary School • Hyde Square Task Force • Immaculate Conception School • IMPACT Melanoma • In Control Family Foundation • Independence House • Interfaith Social Services • Israel Lacrosse Association • J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center • Jack Trottier Foundation • Jane Doe No More • Jewish Community Center of Stamford • JFK School • Joe Andruzzi Foundation • John D. Hardy Elementary • Johnson & Wales University • Journey Forward • Kellsie’s Hope Foundation • Kids Chance of MA • KPM Memorial Fund • KyleCares Foundation • Lazarus House Ministries • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society • Liberty School • Life Care Pregnancy Center • Lifesavers: Skylyr’s Passion Rescue • Link to Libraries • Lions Club of Quincy • Logan Murphy Mengold Foundation • Looking Upwards • Louis D. Brown Peace Institute • Lovin’ Spoonfuls • Lowell Elementary School • Lowell General Hospital • Lynnfield Middle School • Lyon K-8 • MA Assoc. of Community Development Corp. • Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice • Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island • Make-A-Wish New Hampshire • Make-A-Wish Connecticut • Manet Community Health Center • Marathon Daffodils • Marblehead Food Pantry • Maria Droste Counseling Services • Marisa’s Mission • Marissa Paige Ramos Memorial Foundation • Marshfield Agricultural & Horticultural Society • Martha’s Food Pantry At Grace Church • Martin Richard Foundation • Mass Military Heroes Fund • Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance • Massachusetts Fallen Heros • Massachusetts General Hospital • May Institute • Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley • Medfield Coalition for Public Education • Medford Community Housing • Medical Aid to Haiti • Melrose Alliance Against Violence • Mental Health America • Mercy Center USA • Mercy for Animals • Merrimack College • Merrimack Valley Food Bank • Merrimack Valley YMCA • Milton High School • MIRA Coalition • Mission Grammar School • Mission of Deeds • Mitchell Elementary School • Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center • Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation • My Brother’s Keeper • NAC Food Pantry • Naismith Memorial Baksetball Hall of Fame • Natick Service Council • National Ataxia Foundation • National Brain Tumor Society • National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyGreater New England Chapter • Nativity Preparatory School of Boston • Nativity School of Worcester • Network for Good • Neurofibromatosis Northeast • New England Center and Home for Veterans • New England Civil Rights Fund • New England Wildlife Center • New England Life Flight/Boston MedFlight • New Hampshire Food Bank • New Reach • Newman Elementary School • North Attleboro High School Hockey Booster Organization • North Star Family Services • Northampton Survival Center • Northeast Arc • Northeastern University • Old Colony YMCA • Old Sturbridge, Inc. • Orchard Gardens K-8 School • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network • Pan-Mass Challenge • Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue • Peirce Extended Day Program • People Helping People • Perceptions Programs • Philanthropy MA • Pierce Middle School PTO • Players Philanthropy Fund • Plymouth Schools Music Association • Police Unity Tour • Postpartum Support International • President & Fellows of Harvard University/Friends of Harvard Football • President & Fellows of Harvard University/Friends of Harvard Hockey • Probus-Hartford • Project Adventure • Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. • Quincy Band Boosters • Quincy Catholic Academy • Quincy Pride Inc • Quincy School Community Partnership • Rachel’s Table • Randolph Community Middle School • Raynham Middle School • Reading Food Pantry • Red Sox Foundation

Rehoboth Food Pantry

Richardson Middle School

OFFICERS

JOHN F. DONOHUE

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ROBIN JONES

Executive Director

FRANCIS X. BELLOTTI

Vice Chairman

CHRISTOPHER E. HALL

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Executive Vice President

GAIL EAGAN

Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary & Clerk

DIRECTORS

Francis X. Bellotti

Thomas S. Carpenter

Anne M. DeFrancesco

John F. Donohue

William H. DuMouchel

Andrea W. Gargiulo

Elizabeth K. Kim

Thomas R. Kiley

Joseph G. Murphy

Brian J. O’Dwyer

Jeannette M. Orsino

Kristen Robinson – Program Support Coordinator

Diane Brooks – Foundation Relations

Tear Cap Workshop

The Catherine Project

The Cause

The CJD Foundation

The Evan Henry Foundation for Autism

The Fraternal Order of the Umbrella

The Bridgewater State University Foundation

The Home for Little Wanderers

The Humane Society of the United States

The Insurance Library

The Kacie Project

The Merry Mixers

The Navy SEAL Foundation

The Salem Mission

The Theater Project

The Village for Familes & Children • Thomaston Food Pantry • Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center • Tipton County Paws & Claws

Triangle Beagle Rescue • Trinity College • Trustees of Boston University: Boston Women’s Workforce Council • Trustees of Reservation • Tunnel to Towers • Twilight Wish • Ukraine Children’s Action Project • Umana Academy

UNICEF

Unique Steps Dance Academy • United Way of Massachusetts Bay

United Way of Greater New Bedford

UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) • UPFFA Charitable Foundation • Vibrant Emotional Health

University of Massachusetts Foundation

University of Pittsburgh