A Legacy of Giving

It started with basketball at the YMCA. When Charles Dawson was young, he spent many days and nights playing ball with his buddies at the downtown Fargo YMCA. That’s where, in addition to perfecting his free throw shot, he learned about the importance of supporting the community.

After he started his insurance business on Broadway, Tom Dawson said his grandfather was still at the YMCA almost every day. Charles served as the mayor of Fargo from 1946 to 1950, and during this time, Tom says his grandfather—and the family business—solidified their commitment to giving back.

“The experience helped him understand what goes on in the community, and the need to support nonprofits and the community as a whole,” the younger Dawson said. Today, the tradition that began with youth ball games continues as Marsh McLennan

Agency (MMA) strengthens its commitment to service and philanthropy.

“As an agency, it matters that we are here for our communities and that we honor the Dawson family philosophy long into the future,” said Karlie Solum, MMA’s Director of Community Relations. “We want to be a part of making sure our communities are places where we can live, grow, and play.”

Solum said MMA efforts are guided by four pillars: improving children’s quality of life, supporting veterans, creating opportunities for workforce development, and supporting economic development and community vitality.

“We are involved with the community because the community is involved with us,” said Penny Crowder, Private Client and Life Insurance Advisor. “Because we have been blessed with success, our responsibility is to give back to the very people who have supported us.”

As a business leader, Dawson recognizes the importance of civic engagement. “Our success doesn’t just come from the good people on our team, but also from being in a vibrant community with a lot of other strong, successful businesses,” he said. “That helps you realize you have an obligation to give back.”

Crowder has served on MMA’s Community Relations Committee, which works to align the agency’s resources with their giving priorities and with organizations employees are passionate about. Crowder said she appreciates the company’s matching programs. “I love that there are incentives for us to be generous. They compound your efforts, and it really adds up.”

Marsh McLennan Agency’s Social Impact Platform allows individuals to multiply their financial contributions and volunteer time with matching funds. Employees receive up to $1,000 per year to match donations made to organizations they support personally.

A newer member of the team, Georgina Corral Sandoval was drawn to MMA through the Business Connections program at NDSU. She has appreciated the culture of giving and support and the opportunities to volunteer side-by-side with her colleagues. “Everyone is working together as a whole,” she said. Sandoval has assisted with the United Way’s school supply drive and will be walking with a team for the Alzheimer’s Walk in September.

MMA has been a long-time partner of the United Way of Cass-Clay and in 2022 received the Magnificent Marvel award for standing out as a “local company that brought energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to their campaign”. MMA was also named to the organization’s Top 50 Generous Workplaces and Top 25 Engaged

Workplaces. Other organizations the company supports include Fargo Parks & Recreation, Hospice of the Red River Valley, the Village Family Service Center, NDSU, the FM Area Foundation, and BioGirls.

Eric Wilkie, CEO of the FM Area Foundation, expressed gratitude for the partnership the organization has shared with MMA. “The FM Area Foundation has worked closely with Marsh McLennan Agency for almost five decades in business and philanthropy. What drives us is our commitment to creating a vibrant community full of opportunities for everyone. We are grateful to work with a company synonymous with philanthropy in our region, which is why we have and will continue to associate with MMA,” Wilkie said.

Wilkie added that Tom Dawson’s leadership as board chair in 2017 and MMA’s commitment to being a signature sponsor for the FM Area Foundation’s community Caring Catalog are examples of the successful partnership between the two organizations. “MMA’s compassion for others and dedication to ensuring our community remains strong is why the FM Area Foundation is proud to partner with this impactful local business.”

Employees also serve on the boards of local organizations including The Alzheimer’s Association, The

Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, the FMWF Chamber of Commerce, and the Fargo Rotary.

“In my opinion, our legacy in this community always will be that of a servant leader,” said Ryan Hoffman, MMA Vice President and Managing Director. “We cannot be a great community without the collective and continued commitment of our time, talents, and possessions,” Hoffman added. “We strive to live out this value in all that we do at MMA.”

For 106 years, the agency started by Charles Dawson has grown through dedication not only to providing excellent service to its clients but also to serving the needs of the community. “It starts at the top,” Tom Dawson said. “When leaders translate their vision to others and make them feel proud to get involved, the business will prosper.”

Dawson added, “We know, if you let people give to the places they care about, they will be happier, feel more satisfied, and be proud when working with their clients. That’s the power of all of us working together.”