PROVING THE POWER OF OUR PURPOSE AS AN INTENTIONAL, ACTIVE FORCE FOR GOOD IN THE COMMUNITIES WE CALL HOME.
When we started the MJ Foundation, we set out with the mission to be an intentional, active force for good in the communities we call home. In such a short time, we were blown away by the impact we were able to make in our local communities. However, my father, Michael M. Bill, instilled in me the belief that there is always room to do more, to make a more profound impact.
Heading into 2023, we were determined to broaden our reach and assist more individuals. We started the year off by asking important questions. How can we increase awareness of the MJ Foundation? Most importantly, given the escalating needs in our communities, can we rise to the occasion? At MJ, we set lofty goals and rely on our Core Values of determination, innovation, curiosity, passion, inspiration, and fun to achieve them. Writing this today, I'm thrilled to share that we've achieved growth that has far exceeded my expectations.
The magnitude of our achievements, from our record-breaking fundraiser to our endowment with Butler University, is a testament to the power of unity and shared purpose. It reminds us that when we come together with a common goal, we can achieve greatness. I am deeply humbled by these accomplishments and believe they demonstrate our commitment to a purpose that extends far beyond ourselves.
The MJ Foundation is not just something we decided to create; it is the hallmark of our deep-rooted commitment to our Purpose which is to inspire the success, fulfillment, and wellbeing of each person we serve: our associates and their families, business partners, clients, and the community. With community at the forefront of our minds, we have grown both as an organization and as a Foundation. As we look to the future, we are filled with hope and excitement, knowing that the MJ Foundation is poised to make an even greater impact and will continue to serve as a beacon of positive change in the communities we are proud to call home.
Our journey is far from over, and we are thrilled to have you with us as we continue to inspire success, fulfillment, and wellbeing in the lives we touch. Thank you for your ongoing support, which is the driving force behind all that we do. It is with great honor that I invite you to read our second annual impact report.
Sincerely,
MICH AEL H. BILL Founder
OUR IMPACT BY THE
3,100 ORGANIZATIONS SERVED
$750,000 ENDOWMENT TO BUTLER UNIVERSITY
RAISED MORE THAN $100,000 AT OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISERS NEW CHARITIES OF CHOICE
3 HOURS SERVED OVER $6,300 MATCHED IN ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTIONS DONATED MORE THAN $125,000 TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME OFF FOR EACH ASSOCIATE
MJ exists to inspire the success, fulfillment, and wellbeing of each person we serve: our associates and their families, business partners, clients and our community. This is the Purpose that drives our organization, the work we do and the way we do it.
It’s a statement that’s easy to understand. But it contains multitudes: If we take it literally, it affects not just the scores of people who work for MJ, or the thousands we number among our partners and clients, but the millions who make up the larger communities in which we live and work.
MJ has long been a committed community partner, and we’re always looking for ways to do more, make a greater difference and improve the lives of the neighbors who need our help the most.
The MJ Foundation is a way for us to live our Purpose consciously and deliberately— to be an intentional, active force for good in the communities we call home.
To contribute $1MM to our communities in Greater Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Denver in our first 10 years of operation.
OVERCOMING
We work to break the cycle of generational poverty by supporting efforts to move people living with economic hardship from survival to success, hopelessness to fulfillment and uncertainty to wellbeing.
We actively seek opportunities to advance the equity of people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans and others underrepresented in the risk management and benefits consulting industries, to advance their careers and create a richer, more diverse professional workforce.
We know that education can be a path to success in life. The MJ Foundation offers funding to educational institutions and students who need financial assistance as well as inspiration to pursue a fulfilling, noble career in risk management and benefits consulting.
EMBRACING HUMANITY
We provide humanitarian support for both situational and endemic issues that challenge the communities we serve—from disaster relief to children’s healthcare and the overall wellbeing of families.
To best serve our communities, we take a more focused approach—concentrating on three local charities where we get actively involved in the charity itself. Every two years, our associates choose one charitable organization in each of our markets to support as our Charity of Choice. This is where we focus much of our time and resources. This year, we completed a Charity of Choice nomination and scoring cycle to select our 2023-2025 Charities of Choice.
It’s important that we support organizations that our associates are passionate about and that align with the Foundation’s four focus areas. We were thrilled to receive over 20 associate nominations for our new partnerships and are so excited to have our first-ever Charity of Choice in Colorado, further expanding our commitment to the Denver community.
Each Charity of Choice receives awareness and media exposure, a $5,000 grant from the MJ Foundation, and a Day(s) of Service with Team MJ associates. The Charity of Choice also receives a toolkit that includes its media calendar for the duration of the selection.
Dayspring Center is a vital lifeline for homeless families in Indianapolis. Operating as an emergency shelter 24/7, Dayspring provides families in crisis with essential needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Beyond immediate assistance, the center’s experienced case management team works closely with each family, creating personalized plans to address the root causes of homelessness. Their follow-up case management program ensures ongoing support when transitioning to more stable situations.
"I love supporting the families at Dayspring because these are my neighbors—Dayspring is accepting of any family with children and provides basic needs to its residents while keeping the family unit together and connecting them with opportunities to help them realize their potential, something so critical to those facing homelessness."
– Sarah HansonThe Centers for Habilitation (TCH) is vital in supporting individuals with developmental or physical disabilities in Arizona. TCH provides the tools and opportunities for more than 23% of Arizona adults with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. From offering life skills training to guiding individuals through career development for independent employment, TCH empowers Arizonians with disabilities to make choices, improve their abilities and regain control over their lives.
“TCH serves as a point of inspiration in our community. Their commitment to embracing humanity and ensuring individuals with disabilities realize their full potential is something I deeply admire. The thing about TCH that resonates with me the most is the pure joy the work they do brings to these individuals’ lives. From improving self-confidence to fostering a community of care, the work they do changes these individuals’ lives.”
– Kate MaxwellWomen’s Bean Project is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise committed to supporting women striving for lasting change in their lives. This organization believes in the transformative power of employment and envisions a future where barriers to job opportunities are eliminated. Through skill development and community support, The Bean Project helps women rediscover their talents and build the confidence necessary to join the workforce.
“I have been correctly employed my whole career and have had very few barriers to employment. However, I realize how lucky I am to have had that experience. Many women, especially those who have had interactions with the justice system, experienced poverty, abuse or who have struggled with addiction often find themselves, once ready to take responsibility for their lives, faced with many barriers to employment. The Bean Project provides all of the tools that the women need to put their pasts behind them and focus on a positive future.”
– Amy Bittner
Every month, we select a charitable organization to raise awareness about the cause and inspire support for its cause. We aim to harness the power of social media to spread the word to our extensive network of community leaders about the organization and how they can get involved. We feature our Charity of the Month on our website, intranet, in our offices and on our social media channels. Our Charity of the Month also receives brand awareness through a dedicated article on our blog, MJ Insight, to amplify their message.
Our Charities of the Month are selected based on where our associates volunteer, causes they champion, and Charity of Choice nominations. We are pleased to know that our associates are involved in many great causes, and it is critical to us that we are able to support when we can, while still honoring our focused-approach to our Charities of Choice. Our Charity of the Month program is the perfect way to do that.
Below highlights our 2023 Charities of the Month!
As an organization, we believe that gathering together is important. At MJ, we’ve found that while being together in the office is great, there is something so special about coming together while serving others. It builds trust amongst teams, breaks down silos, and allows for connections and collaboration that might not happen otherwise. Time and time again, associates find themselves leaving a service activity with a new connection with someone they might not have known well prior, and even better, plans to volunteer again with that same person. This is just one layer of what we mean about the power that is created when we come together as an intentional, active force for good.
Staying true to our theme of growth, we prioritized growing our opportunities our associates could be together, give back, and have fun while doing it. From a service activity at our allassociate meetings to various opportunities across all three of our markets, 2023 was a year to be remembered.
2023 was a unique year as we supported our 2021-2023 Indiana Charity of Choice, Damar Services, through the end of our fiscal year before transitioning to our 2023-2025 Charities of Choice. Damar is one of the leading service providers for individuals with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. This summer, 30 of our associates attended Damar Games, where Damar kids and staff were able to enjoy inflatables, face painting, and other fair-like activities. Our volunteers helped run the games, paint faces, and play with the children. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they enjoyed the day!
Arizona’s Children Association (AZCA) served as our 2021-2023 Arizona Charity of Choice. Arizona’s Children Association is the largest and oldest child welfare and behavioral health non-profit in Arizona. Services include foster care, kinship services, and family preservation among many others. For our Day of Service with AZCA, our associates spent the day organizing donations and cleaning up the space to allow for donations to be processed and distributed more efficiently.
We announced our new Charities of Choice at our annual company-wide meetings in the fall of 2023 and invited a representative from each to share about the organization itself. It was important to us that our associates were able to hear from the nonprofit and then take action to support them. At our company-wide meeting in Indiana, we held a service activity supporting Dayspring Center following our annual recap. All 180 attendees took part, and we were able to pack over 1,000 kits to support Dayspring and the homeless families they serve. We filled backpacks to be given to each child, hygiene kits to be given to each family member, and gift baskets for when families transition into their new home after their time at Dayspring. This activity was the perfect way for our associates to see the power of our Purpose in action.
Following our company-wide meeting in Arizona, the team rallied together to fill snack packs and arts and crafts kits for those enrolled in the TCH day program where individuals develop their artistic skills, a sense or purpose, pride, and personal responsibility. Our associates then delivered the packs to TCH and the individuals they serve. The reactions and joy from the kit recipients was inspiring and served as a great kick-off to our two-year partnership.
Our Colorado team held a service activity with Women’s Bean Project, local to Denver. Women’s Bean Project is a unique non-profit in that it is a food manufacturing business that is directly tied to its transitional employment program. There are many ways for our associates to get involved and serve at the Bean Project, and one of those ways is stepping directly onto the production line! When Women’s Bean Project said they needed help getting through the holiday rush, our Colorado team was there to help! During our Colorado Day of Service, our associates worked the production line for a few hours and spent the rest of their day learning more about the incredible work happening in our Denver community.
Our associates are encouraged to take up to 2 days of Voluntary Time Off (VTO) annually to take time to support an organization they are passionate about. It is of utmost importance to us that our associates can not only live out our Purpose through community support but are able to fulfill their personal Purpose by giving back where they are most passionate. Take a look at our associates’ service involvement this year!
The importance of education has long been an area of passion and focus for MJ, originally with our founder Mike M. Bill, and and now with our current CEO, Mike H. Bill. Because of this, we have a long-standing partnership with the Andre B. Lacy School of Business at Butler University. In an effort to diversify the industry and make a formal education possible for those pursuing a noble career in risk management and insurance, we are proud to have established a $750,000 endowment supporting multicultural students with financial need in the Andre B. Lacy School of Business.
Each academic year two students will be selected as recipients of the scholarship. The establishment of the MJ Risk Management & Insurance Scholarship supports three of the four cornerstones of the MJ Foundation’s mission: advancing education, fostering diversity, and overcoming poverty. First preference for the scholarship will be given to students majoring in risk management and insurance, with the goal of making the program more accessible to students of diverse backgrounds. Students awarded the scholarship may have limited financial means to advancing education.
As we embarked on our third year of operations, we set out to hold our first-ever grant cycle. With six members of Team MJ at the helm of this process, we deployed our first-grant cycle and awarded three $10,000 grants to non-profits in the Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Denver markets! We made a strategic decision to accept grant applications on an invite-only basis, as it is important to us that we are supporting the causes that mean the most to our associates. We invited non-profits where our associates’ volunteer, former Charities of Choice, and our chosen Charities of the Month.
We were overwhelmed with gratitude by the response and number of applications we received. For our first grant-cycle we invited over 70 non-profits across Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Denver, as well as some nationwide, and received 40 applications. We received so many inspiring applications, but the three recipients truly distinguished themselves with their unique missions. These non-profits not only align with the pillars of the Foundation but align with our Purpose as well.
Kitchen on the Street stands with children in need at the intersection of nutrition and academic excellence. Our grant funds furnished 15,625 meals for food-insecure kids in Arizona, ensuring they receive essential nutrition crucial for academic success. Not only does Kitchen on the Street align with the pillars of the Foundation, but the work they do also correlates to a key part of our Purpose by addressing wellbeing concerns for children in Phoenix. By providing healthy food and ensuring no child goes hungry and can focus on school, Kitchen on the Street stood out for their data-driven approach and proven track record of their program's impact.
The Indy Book Project’s mission is to provide books to ALL children, birth through high school, who may not have books in their homes. This grant aims to enhance capacity, boosting book distribution to children in Central Indiana to elevate reading scores and literacy levels. Their overarching mission is to provide every child with access to books at home. A secondary objective is to ensure all children encounter representation in the books they read, emphasizing our focus on acquiring and distributing diverse books. We deeply admire Indy Book Project's commitment to improving literacy which directly ties to our Advancing Education pillar. In addition, we share the same values in terms of the importance of representation, and with this grant we will be able to ensure children throughout Central Indiana see themselves in the books they read.
Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) exists to encourage and empower the full spectrum of individuals with autism through education and employment in the skilled trades. This grant provides programmatic support for TACT's initiatives in the Denver-metro area, providing education, employment, and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Programs include offering hands-on training in various trades with a focus on employment and providing introductory lessons in diverse trades like welding, auto mechanics, and cyber security, to develop motor skills and socialization. TACT's commitment to innovation helped them stand out during the grant process. Did you know that nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never held a paying job, and global estimates range as high as 90% un- or underemployed. These statistics are not driven by a lack of employable skills, they are driven by old paradigms and processes that don’t give people with autism the support they need to thrive in the workplace. We are so excited to see TACT's growth as they work to address an unmet need among those with autism.
As we’ve mentioned, 2023 was a year of growth for the Foundation, and though we were thrilled with the impact we had made throughout the year, we wanted to challenge ourselves to do more. As we headed into the holiday season, we launched the first-ever MJ Foundation Month of Giving, a month-long charitable campaign designed to meet our associates where they’re at and give them a variety of ways to live our Purpose.
The Month of Giving was specifically designed to bring our associates across all three of our office locations together to make an even greater impact. After all, we are stronger when we come together as an intentional, active force for good. From hands-on experiences to charitable donations and drives, we provided an opportunity for everyone!
From donating over $21,000 to volunteering more than 125 hours, the inaugural Month of Giving was a success! $21,000
At our annual fundraising events, business partners and community members come together to have fun and raise money for the MJ Foundation. Our events bring people together to fundraise for a common cause and support local nonprofits through donations and grants.
In 2023, we hosted our largest fundraiser to date, the Benefit at the Brickyard. Held at the renowned Brickyard Crossing golf course in Indianapolis, the event brought together over 100 industry partners, employees, and friends, and raised over $100,000 through a fun-filled golf scramble.
From a hole-in-one car giveaway to a raffle to spending time with individuals who are committed to making an impact in their communities, the event was a resounding success. We would like to again thank our largest sponsors Anthem and RT Specialty for helping make the day as impactful and memorable as it was.
The Benefit at the Brickyard exceeded any expectations I had for the event. The support we received from our industry partners was incredible, and it feels amazing to know and work with a network as committed to the community as we are at MJ.
- Aaron Parker, Advancement Committee Chair
As our impact numbers show, our associates serve a variety of different organizations and give back in any way they can. We feel so honored to have built an organization of associates who value and embrace our Purpose. We invite you to continue reading to see just a few of the ways our associates have given back to our communities throughout the year.
When Colorado Market President, Courtney Hutchison, started considering where she wanted to spend her charitable time, it was important to her that she didn’t just join a board or an organization “just to join;” she wanted to find something she was passionate about, which has turned out to be the American Lung Association. Both Courtney and her youngest son suffer from mild asthma, and they’ve lost some family members to lung cancer, so the Hutchison’s feel a personal alignment with the American Lung Association’s mission to create a world free of lung diseases, such as lung cancer, COVID, COPD, and asthma. Courtney has served the American Lung Association for a total of 8 years. A natural leader, Courtney has served as chair of the Local Leadership Board for 3 years, vice chair for 2 years, and chaired their Affair for Air Gala, their largest fundraiser, for 3 years. Due to her extensive expertise, exceptional leadership, and unwavering dedication to the cause of lung health, Courtney was named as the first Emeritus Board Member in Colorado.
Eleven Fifty Academy is a nonprofit institution dedicated to bridging the tech talent gap in Indiana. On the surface, Eleven Fifty Academy is an award-winning coding and cybersecurity bootcamp that teaches people the technical and essential skills to pivot careers rapidly. At its core, it is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people help themselves by reducing financial, situational, and traditional barriers to success. It stands firm in the belief that no matter who you are today and the challenges you face, that it will meet you where you are and help you have a fulfilling career. MJ’s Senior Vice President of Enterprise Technology, Braden Pitts, is a board member for Eleven Fifty Academy. In his role, he extends his industry expertise to the leadership team as they develop new programs and strategies to advance the academy. Braden currently serves as a member of the cyber security sub-committee alongside other local industry leaders. The insights his committee provides helps keep the curriculum relevant to the needs of today's employers.
The Eleven Fifty Academy offers programs not only for students looking for a non-traditional approach to education, but also to adults transitioning careers (obsolete professions, leaving the military, or upskilling to move into higher paying roles). I appreciate the approach that EFA takes doing this as a non-profit. I am extremely grateful for the non-traditional experiences that led to the success of my own career, and I look for opportunities to participate in programs that can share some of those same non-traditional experiences to the next generation. As a high school student, I was transitioned to a vocational program during my junior and senior years. During that time, I was able to focus on Computer Repair and Networking which ultimately led me to my first professional job a few years later. Although I eventually went on to earn associate and bachelor’s degrees at more traditional colleges, the bulk of my "hands-on" knowledge came from my time in vocational programs making me extremely passionate about the work Eleven Fifty Academy is doing in our community.
- Braden PittsThis year, MJ’s own Ed Mournighan was recognized by the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and received the James L. Kittle, Sr., Lifetime Achievement award. This award is the highest tribute that the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis’ Board of Directors can bestow upon a volunteer. Those who know Ed both within MJ and within the community, know just how well deserved this recognition is. Ed has worked at MJ for over 49 years as a risk management consultant and has been instrumental in living the very purpose that drives us daily. At MJ, we always say it starts with our people, and Ed is a true testament of what it means to give back to the community and to live our Purpose both inside and outside the walls of MJ. Ed has served the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis since 2000 as a member of the Board of Directors, Borad of Trustees, Capital Planning Committee, and Business and Properties Sub-Committee chair. Ed has made a profound impact at the Y, using his vast knowledge of insurance, risk management, and construction to make the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis a better place.
The work it takes to run a foundation should not be underestimated. We would not be where we are today or be making the impact we are making without our amazing associates who help run and oversee the foundation. We are proud that the MJ Foundation is 100% run and led by our associates who volunteer and donate their time. Thank you for going above and beyond, fulfilling our Purpose, and being intentional, active forces for good.
+ Britni Shrout
+ Macy Burkhart
+ Ali Parker
+ Kate Maxwell
+ Wes Edrington
+ Tricia Everhart
+ Mark Bower
+ Aaron Parker
+ Sarah Hanson
+ Nicole Fonner
+ Payton Greenlee
+ Eric Garcia
+ Nathan Cook
+ Shelly Boomershine
+ Amy Bittner
+ Irelin Perske
+ Association of Latino Professionals For America
+ American Lung Association
+ Arizona's Children Association
+ Bethel Lutheran Church
+ Butler Lacy School of Business Captive Board
+ Catch the Stars
+ Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
+ Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce
+ Cornerstone Lutheran Church
+ Cumberland Road Elementary School
+ Damar
+ Dayspring Center
+ Dress for Success Denver
+ Family Promise of Hamilton County
+ Feed My Starving Children
+ Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee
+ FSAF
+ GiGi's Playhouse
+ Good Samaritan of Hamilton County
+ Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity - Women Build
+ Hamilton County Humane Society
+ Homes of Hope
+ Honorary Commander Program
+ Indiana Chamber of Commerce
+ Indiana Diaper Bank
+ Indiana Fire Academy
+ Indianapolis Arts Center
+ Indy Book Project
+ Joyful Daycare
+ Kitchen on the Street
+ Limestone Springs Condominium
+ MJ Foundation
+ North Willow Farms
+ Operation Christmas Chile
+ Phoenix Children's Hospital
+ Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation
+ Phoenix Rescue Mission
+ Prevail
+ Providence Cristo Rey High School Indianapolis
+ Rise Up Woman International
+ Saint Simon the Apostle Catholic School
+ Scottsdale Charros
+ Scottsdale Police Foundation Board of Directors
+ Serve Noblesville
+ St John's Church
+ St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf
+ St. Michaels Episcopal Annual Strawberry Festival
+ St. Vincent de Paul
+ Stober Elementary
+ Sylvester's Family Farm
+ The Trevor Project
+ Tracy Lawrence's Mission: Possible
+ Western Intermediate School
+ Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children
+ Whitaker Valley Homeowners Association
+ White River Church Food Pantry
+ White River Food Bank (Hamilton County)
+ Women's Bean Project
+ Youth with a Mission / Homes for Hope
