In Ohio, local partners within the Feeding America network like the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), are working to ensure seniors don’t have to make impossible choices between food, medicine and housing. One way MOFC is addressing senior hunger is through its Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides eligible Ohioans 60 and older with a free, monthly box of shelf-stable and nutritious food.

Recently, Nationwide employees took a hands-on approach to supporting this initiative during volunteer “takeover days” at the MOFC for the CSFP initiative. Nationwide’s coordinated effort over two days put the program well ahead of pace, averaging 450 boxes packed per volunteer day, which will help feed nearly 1,000 seniors facing food insecurity across Central Ohio.

“Events like takeover days bring our partnerships to life in a meaningful way. By stepping into our environment, volunteers gain a deeper understand of the challenges our neighbors face and the scale of work required to address food insecurity,” said Jeremy Brauning, volunteer services manager at MOFC. “At the same time, their energy and effort help us expand our reach and serve individuals and families efficiently.”

Nationwide’s support of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective goes beyond a single day of service. Volunteerism is one part of the company’s broader commitment to strengthening communities and supporting long-term well-being.

“Nationwide’s partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective reflects a decades-long commitment to fighting hunger and strengthening the communities we call home,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “Together, we’re working to ensure our neighbors have access to the food they need to live healthier, more stable lives.”

This year, Nationwide employees are helping to celebrate its centennial in 2026 by giving 100,000 hours of volunteer service to support their local neighborhoods. Through these efforts, employees are helping people across the country access food, medical care, emergency shelter and so much more.  

Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation has donated more than $41 million to Feeding America food banks and hunger-relief organizations. Since 2009, the Nationwide Foundation has donated more than 134 million meals through Feeding America.

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives, or help end hunger by donating, volunteering, or advocating through Feeding America.

NVMM’s Service in Action Nooks, a hands-on pilot program supported by the Nationwide Foundation, introduce children to the power of service through storytelling, creativity and action. Designed to foster literacy, civic engagement and empathy, the Nooks invite visitors of all ages to explore stories inspired by the lived experiences of U.S. veterans and to reflect on how service shows up in many forms, from military duty to everyday acts of kindness within a community.  

Through books, educational materials and interactive service projects, the Service in Action Nooks encourage children, students and families to create, connect and make a difference in their own way. The program continues to expand, with permanent Nooks now located at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s main library, at NVMM and most recently at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch.  

Photo Credit: Dan Trittschuh Photography

Since launching in November 2025, the Service in Action Nooks have inspired service participation from more than 6,800 individuals. Children and visitors have completed more than 1,200 thank you letters to veterans, 360 kindness cards for military-connected youth, 240 community bookmarks to encourage other children to read and nearly 200 “welcome home” signs for service members, all meaningful gestures that reinforce remembrance and gratitude.  

The impact is being felt across the community, including among students at 18 local schools that have participated in service projects connected to the Nooks. 

A Cristo Rey High School student shared, “I have truly learned the sacrifice veterans have done for this country, and I will forever remember it. I have also learned that even veterans who didn't necessarily go to war are still true heroes.” 

For the Nationwide Foundation, Service in Action Nooks reflect a broader and longstanding commitment to veterans, service members and children’s wellbeing.  

“Honoring veterans is about both remembrance and action,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “Through our partnership with NVMM, we aim to honor service, expand access and inspire the next generation to understand the impact veterans have had on our communities." 

Nationwide’s support is part of NVMM’s ongoing efforts to engage the community and promote awareness of the contributions and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans and active-duty service members. To further honor those who have served, Nationwide has sponsored free admission for more than 3,000 veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star family members to visit NVMM since May 1, 2025.  

Nationwide has granted more than $1.5 million to NVMM to support its initiatives. In addition, the Nationwide Foundation has provided over $3 million in general operating support since the museum’s inception. 

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives. For more information on its philanthropic efforts, visit the Nationwide Foundation page. 

The Nationwide Foundation is helping expand a critical lifeline for young people experiencing homelessness across central Ohio with a $750,000 grant to support Star House’s new South Side drop-in center.

Star House operates the region’s only drop-in center specifically for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. As demand for services continues to grow across Ohio, the nonprofit recently broke ground on a second drop-in location on Columbus’ South Side to expand capacity and provide additional access to safety and support.

"Thanks to our committed community partners, we are on track to open a second drop-in center on the South Side to meet the unique needs of young people in this region and to offset capacity issues at our current center,” said Ann Bischoff, CEO of Star House. “We've nearly doubled the number of young people we've served since 2021 — the need has never been greater."

Expected to open in early 2027, the new South Side campus will be located in the former St. Ladislas Catholic Church. Public and private support will fund renovations and allow Star House to serve hundreds more young people annually when the new 26,000-square-foot center opens.

The space will offer food, clothing, hygiene supplies, showers, therapy, case management, health and legal services, workforce development and connections to housing. The church sanctuary will be transformed into a welcoming drop-in space, while the adjacent school building will serve as a community services hub and administrative center.

“Nationwide Foundation is honored to support Star House South Side because every young person deserves a safe place to go and people who believe in their potential,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “This expansion ensures more youth can access care, stability and opportunity closer to where they live.”

Founded in 2006, Star House partners with teens and young adults as they exit homelessness and work toward long-term stability. The nonprofit also operates a 62-unit village of affordable housing for young adults transitioning out of homelessness. Its trauma-informed, low-barrier model addresses immediate needs while providing therapy, case management and pathways to housing, employment and education.

Learn more about how Nationwide Foundation supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives.

From the 1930s through the 1950s, employees supported a range of national and local campaigns, contributing to organizations such as Community Chest, the American Red Cross, the United Services Organizations and United Defense Fund, the Cancer Society and the Heart Association. Their involvement set the foundation for what would become a century of corporate citizenship.

When the company officially became Nationwide in 1955, its commitment to service expanded further. The Columbus office opened the first full-time corporate donation site in the American Red Cross system. Meanwhile, Nationwide also launched its first United Appeals campaign in 1951, pledging to raise and match $10 for every employee, a goal that would grow into one of the company’s most enduring community relationships. Then, in 1987, Nationwide donated 1.3 million units of food to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, helping to meet one-third of Franklin County’s goal that year – making it the largest one-company employee response in the country.

Today, this legacy continues through the combined efforts of the company and the thousands of employees who volunteer, raise funds and support the communities where they live and work. Last year, Nationwide employees volunteered nearly 73,000 hours and contributed $7 million to nonprofits across the country. Independently, the Nationwide Foundation matches these financial donations, doubling the impact of each contribution.

As the company celebrates its 100th anniversary, it has set an ambitious new goal: 100,000 volunteer hours in 2026.

“Throughout Nationwide’s history, employees have consistently stepped forward to support their communities, and that commitment remains just as strong today,” said Mark Howard, Nationwide’s chief legal officer. “Our culture of caring is foundational to who we are as a company, and it continues to guide how we show up for the people and communities we serve.”

2026 Company-wide volunteer event
To begin working toward this year’s 100,000 volunteer hour goal, Nationwide recently hosted a company-wide volunteer event that spanned central Ohio, Des Moines, Scottsdale, Milwaukee and San Antonio. More than 1,700 employees assembled over 10,000 snack packs for students to take home, while virtual volunteers wrote handwritten notes of encouragement included with each pack.

“Moments like this company‑wide volunteer event show what’s possible when employees come together around a shared purpose,” said Jayme Smoot, Nationwide’s vice president of Corporate Sustainability. “By engaging employees across locations and roles, we’re able to extend our impact far beyond a single community.”

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) officially opened the doors to its newly renovated and expanded Linden Branch, on Feb. 6, marking a major milestone for the neighborhood located north and east of downtown Columbus. The celebration took place just shy of two years after community partners gathered for a ceremonial “wall breaking” in April 2024 to kick off construction.

The new two‑level branch, still located at 2223 Cleveland Avenue, grew from 12,700 square feet to approximately 27,000 square feet. Designed to meet the evolving needs of Linden residents, the branch includes adaptable spaces, updated technology and resources aimed at supporting lifelong learning.

Among the library’s many upgrades are three meeting rooms, 10 study rooms, expanded seating, a quiet room and a business center equipped with public computers. A larger children’s area, a dedicated tween space and a creative, tech‑ready teen area are new features. The building also includes a spacious learning center area for programming, as well as commissioned public art that highlights the neighborhood’s culture and identity.

In support of the project, the Nationwide Foundation contributed a $1 million gift.  

“Libraries are an important community anchor that encourage growth, development and lifelong learning,” said Chad Jester, President of the Nationwide Foundation. “Libraries need to have the resources and technology to support the changing needs of the community.” 

Now open, the 21st‑century Linden Branch provides a flexible, welcoming environment where residents of all ages can learn, connect and create. With more than double the space, the facility is built to grow alongside the community for years to come.

CML’s Linden Branch is open Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Visit the CML newsroom for more information.

During this season of gratitude and giving, Nationwide employees have continued to demonstrate the company’s caring culture by supporting hunger relief efforts in communities across the country through volunteerism and Nationwide’s annual Turkey Drive.

One longtime beneficiary is St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, located near Nationwide’s campus in Scottsdale, Arizona. St. Mary’s is not only regarded as one of the largest food banks in the world, but it is credited with being the first. The agency, which was founded in 1967, provides food, at no cost, to hundreds of partner agencies including food pantries, homeless shelters, meal centers, domestic violence shelters, after-school programs for at-risk children and low-income senior living centers.

For more than 15 years, Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have partnered with St. Mary’s in a shared commitment to fighting hunger. During this time, hundreds of associates have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to help ensure families in the community have access to food and resources.

“Every day, families across Arizona face the difficult reality of food insecurity,” said Milt Liu, President and CEO of the St. Mary’s Food Bank. “Support like this allows us to keep shelves stocked and deliver nutritious meals to those who need them most. We’re grateful to partners like the Nationwide Foundation and Nationwide employees for helping us strengthen our community and ensure no one goes hungry."

Since 2018, Nationwide’s annual Turkey Drive has been engaging associates and amplifying the charitable impact. The philanthropic campaign supported by the Nationwide Foundation aims to inspire action to combat food insecurity in America.

Throughout November, Nationwide employees donated more than $250,000 to hunger relief agencies, helping Feeding America food bank partners like St. Mary’s, the Food Bank of Iowa, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and others distribute groceries to families in need. New this year, the Nationwide Foundation extended the impact of those gifts by providing a double match for every employee donation, bringing the total contribution to more than $750,000 for nonprofits fighting food insecurity.

“We wanted to amplify the incredible generosity of Nationwide employees and make an even greater impact in the fight against hunger,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “When we come together with employees, partners and communities, we can create meaningful change and help ensure families have the food they need.”

Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation has donated more than $38 million to Feeding America food banks and other hunger relief agencies, and Nationwide employees have raised more than 49 million meals for families in need.

Learn more about Nationwide’s commitment to food security.

For teens who need higher acuity care in Ohio, one organization is leading the way for children’s mental health care in our community.  

The Buckeye Ranch, a leading provider in behavioral and mental health services for children and families across Ohio, has opened the state’s first and only Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for teens: the Hope Treatment Center.

The center will provide key mental health support via specially trained staff that will support local access to short-term, intensive residential treatment support after hospital discharge, offering increased family engagement to promote healing and stability for youth.

“More than five years ago, we recognized a critical gap in care for youth experiencing mental health crises,” said Vickie Thompson-Sandy, President and CEO of The Buckeye Ranch. “Too many children were being sent out of state for treatment, separated from their families and communities during their most vulnerable moments. The Hope Treatment Center changes that. It ensures children can receive the care that they need here in Ohio, close to home, surrounded by the support and treatment that they need on their path toward lasting healing.”

The 57,000-square-foot facility will provide specialized, around-the-clock psychiatric care for up to 48 youth from across Ohio. Developed in close partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Hope Treatment Center reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to mental health treatment and providing care that supports children and families every step of the way. With this expansion, The Buckeye Ranch will now have the capacity to serve nearly 100 youth at its Residential Treatment Services campus in Grove City.

“Hope grows when communities come together,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman. “This partnership between The Buckeye Ranch and Nationwide Children’s Hospital is proof of what is possible when we unite around a common purpose to give every child the chance to heal, to thrive, and to dream again.”

Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have been longtime community partners of The Buckeye Ranch, providing support and resources to advance its mission of restoring hope and healing for children and families. The Nationwide Foundation contributed $2.5 million to the New Hope Treatment Center project.

Earlier this year, the Nationwide Foundation also contributed $1 million towards the Franklin County Crisis Care Center, a first of its kind in behavioral health to provide 24/7 support for adults experiencing mental health or addiction-related crises. Developed in collaboration with the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) and Recovery Innovations, the center aims to provide both immediate and long-term care for the community in a single, centralized location.

Together, these efforts reflect a growing commitment to comprehensive mental health care in Ohio – one that The Buckeye Ranch continues to advance. Serving thousands of youth across the state every day, The Buckeye Ranch ensures children receive services designed to help them succeed within their families, schools and communities. To learn more about its mission, visit www.BuckeyeRanch.org.  

In the heart of Iowa, a new chapter in wildlife conservation is taking flight. Bald eagles at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines are getting a new home thanks to the support of the Nationwide Foundation.

The Wild Iowa exhibit broke ground this November as part of the Zoo’s Expand the Impact capital campaign, marking a milestone in the Zoo’s 60-year journey of conservation, education and community engagement. Among the new exhibit’s many highlights – including renovated spaces for river otters, seals and sea lions – the bald eagle sanctuary will bring the spirit of the wild birds closer to home.

“Wild Iowa celebrates the animals and ecosystems that make our state so special,” said Anne Shimerdla, president and CEO of Blank Park Zoo. “From otters and eagles to bobcats and turtles, these new habitats will help tell the story of Iowa’s wildlife while inspiring future generations to protect it.”

The new bald eagle habitat space will feature natural perching areas, expanded sunlight access and flight space over a local river stream. These renovations will create a more enriching and spacious environment for flight and non-flighted eagles. The first residents will be the Zoo’s rehabilitated eagles, Freedom and Spirit, who have lived at the Zoo since 2007. Visitors will be able to observe these powerful birds up close, learning about their journey from injury to recovery, and the vital role they play in Iowa’s ecosystem. 

“Given our long history in the state, we are grateful to have the opportunity to help support the expansion of the eagle exhibit and the Blank Park Zoo,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “It’s a particularly exciting opportunity to support the renovation of the bald eagle exhibit, which ties in perfectly with our memorable mascot and logo.”

The Nationwide Foundation has partnered with the Blank Park Zoo for more than two decades and recently donated $1 million to support the Expand the Impact campaign.

“This campaign highlights the importance that public-private partnerships can have in ensuring that valuable cultural institutions evolve for future generations of Iowans to enjoy,” continued Jester.

To learn more about the campaign, visit impact.blankparkzoo.org.

To celebrate the tremendous contribution these furry friends make every day, leaders and staff from Nationwide and Nationwide Children’s recently gathered to host a special event that allowed these wonderful dogs to have some fun. The event commemorated a special multi-year contribution from Nationwide to the Butterfly Paws Pet Health Fund, which will cover the veterinary needs for the Butterfly Paws working dogs over the next five years, beginning in 2026.

“The Butterfly Paws dogs give so much to improve the mental health and well-being of kids, families and staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.” said Dr. Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer for Nationwide Pet Insurance. “Supporting health care and research at Nationwide Children’s has always been a priority for Nationwide, and now this commitment extends to the dogs who bring comfort and joy to patients and families. The human-animal bond thrives when pets are healthy, which is why we’re making this financial commitment that ensures these incredible dogs receive the veterinary care they need to continue their vital work for the kids and staff at the hospital.”

Hank, Maverick, Marlee, Savi and Gibbs were given some time off to attend the event, where the dogs were able to enjoy new toys, belly rubs and play time with hospital staff, Nationwide employees and patient champions—letting these dogs take a break and just be dogs.

“Butterfly Paws is made entirely possible through philanthropy,” said Melissa McMillen, director of Butterfly Paws at Nationwide Children’s. “Generous support like this from Nationwide allows us to continue providing the best care to the beloved canines who do so much every day to support our patients, families and staff.”

Through the Nationwide Foundation, $1 million has been donated over the past four years to support the Red Cross’s Sickle Cell Initiative — a national effort to increase the availability of compatible blood for patients who rely on frequent transfusions.

“Sickle Cell Awareness Month is an important initiative to ensure every individual is receiving the care they need,” said Nationwide Foundation President Chad Jester. “The Nationwide Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross on their valuable work supporting patients and communities.”

Patients with sickle cell disease often require frequent blood transfusions from someone who has both a compatible blood type and similar ethnic background to prevent an immune response in the body. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of people affected by sickle cell disease identify as non-Hispanic Black or African American.

As part of its national initiative launched in 2021, the Red Cross is raising awareness of frequent short supplies to help sickle cell patients by expanding blood drives in Black or African American communities and enhancing the experience for new donors to encourage repeat donations.

Additionally, the Red Cross is partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), offering students opportunities to serve as ambassadors, earn scholarships and receive mentoring from Red Cross leadership.

Beyond awareness, the organization is conducting in-depth testing, typing and matching of blood products to best serve those living with sickle cell disease.

The goal is to triple the number of Black or African American blood donors by 2027. Additional outcomes include increasing donor participation by 3-5% year-over-year and boosting blood drive participation from HBCU’s by 25%. Already, the initiative has achieved significant milestones:

• 38,000+ first-time Black or African American blood donors
• 65,000+ units of sickle cell-compatible blood collected
• 125 blood drives hosted across 39 HBCU campuses

To learn more and schedule a blood donation appointment, visit the American Red Cross website.

"Our hearts are with the individuals and families impacted by the devastating floods in Texas," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO and Chairman of the Nationwide Foundation. "The Nationwide Foundation is making an additional contribution to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund to offer needed support at this difficult time."  

Gifts to American Red Cross disaster relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

About The Nationwide Foundation 
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $700 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. 

After launching the award program in 2018, Columbus Business First has recognized Nationwide every year.  

Recently, Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker highlighted a specific area where the collaboration between the company and non-profits has made a substantial impact on the community. 

This piece originally ran in Columbus Business First on June 13, 2025.  

Working together in support of the community 
By: Kirt Walker, CEO, Nationwide 

Corporate citizenship can take many forms, and being an active corporate citizen can lead to innovative solutions to solve community problems. It’s about neighbors helping neighbors. 

For example, we recently had some available real estate and knew there were community organizations that needed space. We wondered how we could use that space to support the community, so we reached out to the United Way of Central Ohio. 

Working together, we were able to create a shared space for nonprofit organizations in a nine-story, 150,000 square foot building that was formerly Nationwide office space at 215 N. Front Street. 

At the same time, the United Way announced they would move into this space, now called the Community Impact Center, and also sell its former headquarters, which are now being transformed into apartments that include both workforce and market rate housing. 

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority is investing $29 million into the former United Way space to build a five-story building with 82 apartments, which will serve middle and low-income families and people with disabilities. The building will have studio units along with one- to three-bedroom units and parking. 

In addition to being the new home for the United Way of Central Ohio, the Community Impact Center is also home to more than a dozen local nonprofits who can now collaborate more efficiently while addressing critical community needs. 

I had the opportunity to meet with leaders of the organizations based at the Community Impact Center recently and was inspired by all the great work happening that has benefits extending far beyond the building walls. 

These kinds of partnerships are great examples of Corporate Citizenship in action – and there are so many more included in this year’s awards. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and thank you for making central Ohio a better place to live and work. 

“I was not sure how effective the device would be or how it would possibly interfere with my daily work,” shared Peacher, the volunteer operations lead in the Reclamation Department at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC).

Instead, it turned out to be hardly noticeable and quite beneficial.

“It was like wearing a pager from the 80s or 90s with it having to be attached to the hip, but it was similar to wearing a Fitbit in terms of it tracking your steps and movements,” Peacher detailed. “If I turn my body a certain way or if I was going to pick something up without bending my knees, it will trigger the device. It has made me more cognizant of the way I move my body and the way I can save my back from future injury or issues.”

Though it is not a new partnership for Nationwide, Peacher is benefiting from a new pilot program involving the MOFC that sees employees and volunteers wear the Kinetic devices donated by Nationwide.

“This is a safety apparatus,” said Dale Hoppe, Nationwide’s senior AVP, workers compensation programs. “Who would ever enter a construction area that has grinders going off without a hard hat or safety glasses? No one. This is no different, the device is here to help protect you and bring awareness when you're doing something wrong.”

Why the MOFC in particular?

Nationwide's pilot program with Kinetic and MOFC is a great example of how the insurance and financial services company can improve safety in frontline environments. It helped reduce high-risk movements and helped leaders address potential issues before they turned into injuries. This approach is not only effective but can be scaled and measured across different industries.

Given Nationwide’s established relationship with the organization and standing as a protection company, Hoppe explained that this pilot program is another way to show that Nationwide cares about preventing risk with a partner whose mission the company believes in and at a place where so many Nationwide associates volunteer their time.

Rob Camp, SVP of Operations at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, is thankful for Nationwide’s support of its associates. Nationwide has been a long-time partner of the organization; this safety campaign is a further extension of that relationship.

“The tools, support, and training from Nationwide and Kinetic gave us new ways to center safety in our daily operations,” says Camp. “It helps make safety part of your culture, which helps it become second nature. Their support helped us stay safe and focused on what we do best: feeding our hungry neighbors.”

For more information about the Nationwide/Kinetic workers compensation program, visit https://kineticcomp.com. 

To honor and recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served, all veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star family members (those who have experienced the loss of a family member while in active-duty service) will receive free admission to the NVMM, sponsored by Nationwide through January 31, 2026, as part of the museum’s longstanding commitment to service members.

"We are grateful for the courage, dedication and countless sacrifices made by our country's heroes," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. "Offering access to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is a small token of our appreciation for our veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star families, and it reinforces our commitment to ensuring their stories are honored and remembered."

NVMM is the only museum in America that honors veterans from all branches of service over the eras of the nation’s military history. The museum welcomes everyone, taking visitors on a narrative journey that tells individual stories and shared experiences of veterans throughout history to foster a deeper connection with the community and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.

"The mission of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is to honor all veterans, elevate their stories, and amplify the power of service,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, CEO of the NVMM. “By offering free admission to veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star family members, we provide a welcoming environment where they can connect with their history and share their story of service with their loved ones and the greater community."

Nationwide's support is part of the NVMM's ongoing efforts to engage the community and promote awareness of the contributions made by the nation's veterans and active-duty service members. Nationwide has granted nearly $3 million to NVMM to support their initiatives, in addition to the general operating support the Nationwide Foundation has provided to NVMM yearly since its inception, contributing $2.8 million.  

Since January 2021, Nationwide has hired nearly 500 veterans and is a long-time sponsor of the Veterans Honor Flight, which flies senior veterans every year to the nation’s capital to visit memorials and celebrate their service.

¹U.S. Census Bureau
²Ohio Department of Veteran Services

During a gathering to celebrate that community impact, tournament officials announced that the 2024 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship raised a record-setting $3.6 million, eclipsing last year’s previous record of $3.3 million. The total marks the largest single-season charitable donation raised for the hospital in the history of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event and the fourth straight year of exceeding $3 million. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has raised nearly $30 million to support pediatric cancer treatment and research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship continues to reach impressive fundraising heights each year, truly setting the bar as a best-in-class Korn Ferry Tour Finals event,” said John Carter, president and chief operating officer for Nationwide Financial and chairman of Champions of the Community, the host organization for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. “We’re incredibly grateful for the steadfast support of our business partners, the commitment of our tournament staff and volunteers, and the willingness of our Patient Champions to share their stories.” 

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship has helped provide hope to children with cancer and their loved ones for 18 years, with nearly $30 million donated to support innovative research and care,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s. “We are grateful for the dedication of the tournament’s sponsors, volunteers and supporters for helping make our work possible.” 

Since 2011, Nationwide’s sports marketing partnerships have contributed more than $68 million to Nationwide Children’s. Beyond the golf-related fundraising from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and the Memorial Tournament’s Legends Luncheon, additional support comes from partnerships with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew and Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital, visit nationwidechildrens.org.  

Functioning as a “smart farm,” the Farm on the Hilltop was developed in March 2024 and integrates cutting-edge technology with sustainable farming practices. The farm features vertical growing towers, hydroponic systems and crop-harvesting robots which help maximize its yield and produce fresh, nutritious food for the community.

Under farm director, Trevor Horn, the farm is just one area of the Collective’s focus in addition to its pharmacy, food banks, markets and kitchen. The produce grown at the farm helps keep the MOFC’s food banks and markets stocked with healthy produce options.

This year alone, the farm harvested over 3,500 pounds of food that helped feed local residents, used 60% less water through the drip irrigation system in vertical towers and 70% less water in hydroponic and container gardening systems.

The farm’s impact also extends beyond providing fresh produce – it also serves as an educational hub, offering tours, volunteer opportunities, and community events. The educational opportunities like agriculture teacher workshops, food lesson planning and its demonstration kitchen are also helping connect people to their food and foster a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from.

“The mission to make every acre count motivates us to harness the power of innovation as we work to provide fresh food for our neighbors,” said Horn. “We hope that the work we’re doing at the farm can serve as a model for what urban agriculture can achieve.”

The Farm on the Hilltop’s success exemplifies the impactful collaboration between businesses and nonprofits. The Nationwide Foundation, a long-time supporter of the MOFC, has donated over $7.1 million since 2020 to support its efforts to end hunger in the community through various initiatives like the farm’s development.

In addition to the Nationwide Foundation's financial contributions, Nationwide employees have volunteered with the MOFC for years. With the Farm on the Hilltop opening to volunteers in the summer of 2024, there will be even more opportunities for employees to assist with planting, harvesting, and maintaining the farm’s infrastructure.

“Nationwide employees are passionate about giving back and making a difference,” said Chad Jester, President of the Nationwide Foundation. “The farm’s success is a powerful reminder that when we come together with a shared vision, we can cultivate hope and nourish our communities in remarkable ways.”

To learn more about the impact of the MOFC or volunteer today, visit https://mofc.org/

Nationwide and the Columbus Marathon has raised approximately $14 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital since it became the title beneficiary of the event in 2012.

Marathon Mile Champions: The philanthropic mission of what marathon event officials call “America’s Most Meaningful Race” is brought to life along the 26.2-mile route by the presence of Marathon Mile Champions, children who have benefited from treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Each year, Nationwide sponsors a Mile Champion, and this year, 12-year-old Ali’s butterfly-themed “fly to the finish” race station at the 12^th mile marker reflected her love of the graceful creatures and admiration for their strength and beauty.

Ali cheered on the passing runners, offering high fives and shouts of encouragement to show her appreciation to everyone running those meaningful miles for children like her. 

Community effort: To help prepare and create a memorable experience for those attending the race, over 100 Nationwide employees volunteered their time to support the marathon.

On the morning of the marathon, volunteers congratulated runners at the finish line, awarding medals and handing out supplies.

A few weeks before the race, a team of volunteers prepared race bibs, the number identification tags for the 13,500 runners to wear on their shirts.

Nationwide encourages employees to volunteer to create lasting, positive changes within local communities. This year, employees in Central Ohio have served over 15,000 hours at local nonprofits. In 2023, employees volunteered more than 70,000 hours and contributed over $7.3 million to nonprofit organizations.

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Helene and Milton,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO. “While our claims and service teams are ready to assist our customers, our commitment to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will support those who are bravely responding to provide essential aid and comfort after a disaster strikes.”  

In support of those affected by both hurricanes, the Nationwide Foundation is making an additional $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, bringing total recent donations to $200,000 in response to the recent storms. The Nationwide Foundation is a member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program.
  
Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

For any Nationwide customers impacted by the storm, the claims team is ready to assist you. Customers can start a claim online at nationwide.com, through the Nationwide mobile app or by calling 800-421-3535.  

About The Nationwide Foundation  
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $670 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.  

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Helene,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO. “While our claims and service teams are ready to assist our customers, our commitment to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will support those who are bravely responding to provide essential aid and comfort after a disaster strikes.”   

In support of those affected by Helene, the Nationwide Foundation is making a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  

Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

For any Nationwide customers impacted by the storm, the claims team is ready to assist you. Customers can start a claim online at nationwide.com, through the Nationwide mobile app or by calling 800-421-3535.  

About The Nationwide Foundation 
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $670 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. 

“With deep roots in the Des Moines community, Nationwide is committed to opportunities to help create vitality in the downtown corridor,” said Chad Jester, vice president of Corporate Citizenship at Nationwide. “The Des Moines Arts Festival is an essential piece in helping to sustain and grow the downtown environment, both economically and culturally.”

Since 2008, Nationwide has invested more than $700,000 in the festival and has been the presenting sponsor for the past six years. To create a better experience for those attending and organizing the festival, Nationwide offers free public parking in its garages during the festival weekend and provides office space for the festival team to use prior to the event.

“The success of the Des Moines Arts Festival is a collective effort of the community and committed sponsors like Nationwide,” said Stephen King, executive director of the Des Moines Arts Festival.

Sustainability Goals: Nationwide has also taken an active role in helping the festival reduce its carbon footprint and meet its Green Arts Sustainability Program objectives. This year, 50 Nationwide employees constructed 16 reusable waste stations for festival-goers to utilize during the three-day event. Over many shifts, the employees built and painted structures that offered receptacle options to compost, landfill or recycle.

“Together, we created an unforgettable experience for the local community and beyond to celebrate arts, culture and the shared responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint,” said King.

Juried Award Winners: Nearly 200 artists from across the country showcased a wide array of art in every medium at the festival. One of the centerpieces of the event is the highly competitive Juried Art Fair, presented by Nationwide. Artists submitted their work to be judged by a rigorous, industry-acclaimed process to select the 2024 Visual Arts Award Winners. Mark Sudduth, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, took home the prize of Best in Show for his glass piece and Micah Ferin, from Johnston, IA, was named the Best Emerging Iowa Artist.

Why it matters: During any given year, hundreds of children and their families may live at the YWCA Family Center. Last year, the center served 251 families and 1,613 children.

Opportunities for all ages: Until recently, the playground at the Family Center was limited in its scope and offerings. Today, the newly opened Family Center playground is designed for multiple ages, not just the youngest children. This offers kids of every age the chance to exercise and play in a safe environment. The playground has three different areas:

• the Safe and Sound Playground, for children ages 0-5, is built with soft surfaces and features age-appropriate toys;
• the Daycare Playground, for children ages 5-12, has traditional slides, swings, climbing structures and other playground equipment; and,
• Sport Court, a multiuse area for children up to 18 is designed for organized play – everything from street hockey to basketball.

Community-wide effort: Several years in the making, the Columbus Blue Jackets-themed playground officially opened in July thanks to the efforts of multiple organizations in the Columbus community, including the Nationwide Foundation, Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, Installed Building Products, and the Champion Cares Foundation.   

As HispanicBusinessTV noted in its coverage of the playground opening, it was Cindy Walker, wife of Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman Kirt Walker, who proposed an upgrade of the playground.

What they’re saying: “Cindy came home and shared her enthusiasm for what this playground build could look like,” Walker said at the playground’s ribbon cutting ceremony on July 11. “How great to celebrate today as the concept becomes a reality. This is awesome!

 “It’s all about the kids. We’re mission-driven – we’re about protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care. There’s nothing more important in that group than families and children. The Nationwide Foundation's gift, in alignment with its mission to improve communities where Nationwide associates and members live and work, made this possible.”

Zoom in: The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $670 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.

Read more:

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital Launches “Empower the Possible” Campaign with Historic 10-Year, $100 Million Commitment from Nationwide Foundation
• Innovative spaces await: Linden Branch remodel is underway
• Affordable housing building in Linden

Weingart Tower 1A, a 19-story, 278-unit apartment and services building opened on June 19 to provide permanent supportive housing for homeless people in L.A.’s Central City East neighborhood, infamously known as Skid Row. The roughly $164 million project, financed in part through Nationwide’s affordable housing tax credit program, is phase one of a two-phase project that is providing hope, options and wrap-around services to help the city’s unhoused break the cycle of homelessness.

“When I was homeless it was like a little dark hole,” Amya Backa, one of the tower’s new residents told KABC-TV on the day of the tower’s opening. “I went from being in that hole to just coming out, like, it’s a lot of love and support out here … I’m so speechless right now.”

Weingart Tower 1A is the first of two apartment towers planned for the neighborhood. When completed, Weingart Tower 1A and Weingart Tower 1B will offer a combined mix of 382 studio and one-bedroom apartment units to people transitioning out of homelessness. Tenants will be able to use vouchers from the Housing Authority of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. The development is funded by multiple public and private organizations, including the city of Los Angeles and the state of California.

“The whole concept of this building is to serve the whole individual,” said Jim Andersen, chief development officer of the project’s development company, Chelsea Investment Corporation, at the building’s opening ceremony. “Not just give them a bed and a sink and a shower, but a place to grow and live and heal and express themselves and really rejoin and reenter active life. It’s a place to grow, live and heal.”

In addition to apartment units, the tower also provides on-site medical and mental health services, substance use counseling, legal and benefits counseling, life skills and wellness classes, job training, employment assistance, educational support and other services. Additionally, each residential unit includes household essentials, such as pots, pans, cutlery, bedding and towels, that will help residents get started in their new environments.

“Weingart Tower’s unique approach of providing both housing and social services is what attracted us to this project,” said Nationwide Chief Investment Officer Joel Coleman. “We hope the addition of those on-site services means residents will have the tools they need to successfully transition away from homelessness.”

Projects like Weingart Tower are rare, he added, because of the economic challenges presented for developers. Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to invest in underserved communities through its Affordable Housing Tax Credit platform helps make projects like Weingart Tower feasible.

Weingart Tower is expected to be fully occupied by September.

For more information about Nationwide’s efforts to promote affordable housing, read Nationwide’s 2023 Corporate Sustainability report.

When Winta Hayelom enrolled in Per Scholas Columbus’ 15-week program, she never imagined that its impact would extend far beyond technology expertise.

After witnessing firsthand the pandemic’s impact on her family’s local restaurant, Flavor 91 Bistro, Hayelom was motivated to deepen her technology skillset so that she could help optimize their restaurant’s operations and streamline processes.

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit organization committed to providing equitable access to education. At no cost, the organization recruits, trains, certifies and helps anyone who wants to launch a career in technology.

“I looked up different resources that were available to women who look like me and that could provide a safe space for me to be able to further my dreams and aspirations in technology,” Hayelom said.

Leveraging access to new and better facilities
Per Scholas is one of 17 nonprofit organizations that operate within downtown Columbus’ Community Impact Center (CIC). The nine-story, 150,000 square foot building was formerly Nationwide office space that is now being used for local nonprofits to collaborate more efficiently while addressing critical community needs.

While obtaining her technology certification, Hayelom quickly learned how the interconnectedness of organizations within the building helped support her fellow Per Scholas learners outside the classroom. In addition to access to classes, her classmates facing challenges related to food insecurity, housing or childcare were provided with the resources they needed.

“I think that the shared resources that have been leveraged inside the Community Impact Center have created a hub,” Hayelom said. “There is no social issue that hasn’t been addressed.”

Deeper connections, deeper support unlocks potential
Jenn Fowler Howard, Per Scholas Columbus’ Senior Managing Director, shared that the close partnership across the nonprofits has allowed for deeper connections and deeper support as the Per Scholas learners launch their careers in technology.

Offering support in multiple areas of life, the space in the CIC also allows the Per Scholas team to serve more people than ever before. Previously, they could only train 100 learners at a time. Now, they are training more than 220 learners and hope to grow in years to come.

“When I joined Per Scholas three years ago, I knew that it was an organization committed to changing the face of tech and unlocking potential – I didn’t know we would have the ability to unlock it at this degree,” Fowler Howard said.

Despite only opening the CIC in December 2022, United Way of Central Ohio CEO Lisa Courtice shared that many of these human services-focused organizations have been working together in the community for decades.

“To find ourselves in the same building with a shared purpose of working more closely together has been remarkable,” said Courtice. “There are so many positive outcomes already.”

More to come
With more organizations slated to move into the building in the future, Courtice is excited about the continued sharing of resources and efficiencies which will allow all the organizations to maximize community impact.

“My classmates and I are the Community Impact Center come to life and where its wildest dreams come true,” said Hayelom. “We have the support of all these nonprofits behind us, championing us and powering us through.”

The Community Impact Center (CIC) is transforming the way nonprofits interact to provide clients with holistic support. The CIC opened in November 2022 as a partnership between United Way of Central Ohio and Nationwide.

Recognizing the innovation of space: Angela Williams, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, had the opportunity to witness this transformative work firsthand during a tour of the building in early May. Her visit underscored the growing recognition of the center’s role in fostering community development.

Why it matters: By sharing a common space, the 17 nonprofit tenants, like Per Scholas Columbus, are experiencing engagement and mutual growth through “natural collisions.” This innovative approach is redefining how social service providers are able to coordinate support for clients – many who need assistance in more than one area to help them improve their lives. And, by providing services such as childcare and parking at no cost in a centralized location in downtown Columbus, people are able to access and focus on maximizing the support available to them.

• Lisa Courtice, CEO of United Way of Central Ohio, sees the center as a game-changer. “The Community Impact Center is not just a building, it’s a catalyst for change. It’s where nonprofits and clients come together, learn from each other and create lasting impact,” she said.
• Mark Howard, Nationwide’s Chief Legal Officer and board member of United Way Worldwide, echoed Courtice’s sentiments. “The center is a testament to the power of collaboration. It’s inspiring to see the tangible benefits that arise when we break down silos and work together for the greater good,” Howard noted.

The bottom line: The CIC is more than a shared workspace. It’s a vibrant hub where nonprofits can have “natural collisions” to share ideas, experiences and opportunities. The ultimate result: working together to help clients create a brighter future for themselves.

On April 17, 2024, Carter and members of the Linden community, along with city leaders and library supporters, took part in a ceremonial “wall breaking” to mark the start of a construction project that will bring new services and amenities to the community while more than doubling the size of the historic neighborhood’s current 12,700-square-foot library branch. 

“It’s going to be a great thing,” said Carter, who is the founder of We Are Linden, a non-profit, community advocacy organization focused on helping residents and youth in the Linden community thrive. “We need places like this as a safe haven. That’s one of the biggest things our children need – someplace to go, someplace to be heard and a place where individuals care about them.” 

Born and raised in Linden, Carter said he created We Are Linden to both instill a sense of pride in the neighborhood’s young people about their community and themselves. As projects like the remodeled Linden Branch take shape, Carter said it helps the neighborhood’s children realize they are “opportunity youth, not at-risk youth.”  

When completed, the modernized Linden Branch will offer updated amenities and technology spread across 27,000 square feet on two floors. The spaces within the branch are designed to be flexible with the ability to evolve and accommodate the community’s changing needs. While it will continue to serve as a hub for learning, it will also be a space for community engagement and cultural enrichment.  

In support of the project, the Nationwide Foundation announced a $1 million gift and recognized the pivotal role libraries play in the community. 

“Libraries are an important community anchor that encourage growth, development and lifelong learning,” said Chad Jester, President of the Nationwide Foundation. “Libraries need to have the resources and technology to support the changing needs of the community.” 

Library officials expect the branch will reopen in 2025. Visit the CML newsroom for more information about the ceremony, temporary Linden Branch location and construction details. 

Based on confidential feedback from the Great Place to Work annual survey, the Companies That Care list represents input from more than 1.1 million employees on how their workplaces have made a difference in their lives and communities. Only Great Place to Work-Certified^TM organizations are eligible for the list.

PEOPLE magazine called out Nationwide’s volunteerism and its impact across the communities where its employees work. For example, more than 180 of Nationwide’s leaders serve on nonprofit boards across the country. Employee volunteerism is celebrated at the company, and recently Denise Cook, Colleen McConahay and John-Paul Purssord received a prestigious CEO Award for their impact in the community.

“Our caring culture is what makes honors like this possible and is a credit to the thousands of our associates who volunteer in their communities every day,” says Vinita Clements, chief human resources officer at Nationwide. “We are all so extremely proud of this recognition from PEOPLE for the seventh year in a row.”

Nationwide consistently ranks on top workplace award lists, including: 

• Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For
• Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award
• Seramount 100 Best Companies
• Seramount Inclusion Index Leading Company

To learn more about Nationwide’s efforts to care for employees and the communities in which it operates, visit the Nationwide Corporate Sustainability Report.

Coming up on the anniversary of the creation of the Community Impact Center in downtown Columbus, nearly a dozen organizations are now located or are in the process of locating in one place and able to work together better than ever.

Late last year, United Way of Central Ohio announced it was partnering with Nationwide to repurpose office space that the Fortune 100 insurance and financial services provider no longer needed in the wake of the company’s successful transition to a hybrid work environment.

Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker recently met with United Way of Central Ohio President Lisa Courtice and the other non-profit leaders now occupying the 9-story, 150,000 square foot Community Impact Center at 215 North Front Street.

“Our hybrid model is working and opens up the need for less office space,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “While continuing to complete upgrades to our main campus in downtown Columbus, we were looking for a viable use for other valuable real estate. And we want to meet the unique needs of the community while contributing to the vitality of downtown. The Community Impact Center concept was the perfect fit.”

A number of non-profits have moved in alongside United Way and are now able to leverage the valuable amenities that facilitate greater collaboration.

“In talking with several of the leaders at the center, it’s apparent that what I like to call ‘productive collisions’ are already taking place,” Walker added.

Along with United Way, partner tenants include the YMCA Stable Families Administrative Offices; Per Scholas; I Know I Can; Future Ready; Communities and Schools; and Corporation for Supportive Housing, among others.

“We like to say that there is nothing we can’t achieve together when we stand united. By giving nonprofits the opportunity to collaborate in the same space, sharing ideas and creating economies of scale, we can achieve more to help the people of central Ohio,” said President and CEO Lisa Courtice, president and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. “We are grateful for Nationwide’s generosity, and it’s my hope that more companies will follow their lead by transforming underutilized office space into places for nonprofits to thrive.”

Each of the organizations benefit from the desire to be downtown in one location and the ability to collaborate to meet community needs including a common conference and collaboration space and access to staff and visitor parking.

"We're thrilled with how things are working out at the Community Impact Center," said Nationwide Foundation President Chad Jester. "Our goal has been to repurpose this space in a way that positively impacts the community. We need strong services in central Ohio and creating the Community Impact Center has resulted in a win for everyone."

In other efforts to repurpose office space, Nationwide is in the process of selling one of its buildings in Iowa to the City of Des Moines for use as a new center for centralized city services.

For more information about the Nationwide Foundation, visit https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/giving/nationwide-foundation/.

In May, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) hosted its groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the STEM Leadership Center. Powered by the Girl Scouts’ “Dream Big” initiative, the center will help propel girls into STEM fields by allowing them to unleash their curiosity and develop a passion for leadership.

The Nationwide Foundation has contributed $1.5 million, along with other community partners, to make the $16 million Dream Big initiative a reality. To date, more than $12 million (80 percent of the goal) has been raised to date.

“This development represents the commitment to preparing girls for opportunities and challenges of the future,” said Melanie Kolp, Nationwide’s chief technology officer of corporate technology and GSOH Board Member. “By providing a dedicated space for STEM exploration, we empower girls to embrace their curiosity, build resilience and unlock their full potential.”

Launched in May 2022, the Dream Big project includes:

• A new STEM Leadership Center with community space, science and technology labs
• A Maker Space to learn trade skills like welding, mechanics and carpentry
• A new greenhouse for gardening programs including hydroponics 
• Renovations to the Environmental Center to include the addition of a teaching kitchen for farm-to-table programming
• Outdoor learning spaces

The immersive, 220-acre campus will make a broad impact as a community resource for youth and community stakeholders across Ohio. It will be available to schools, other non-profits and community partners.

The Bold Goal
Dream Big is the local commitment supporting the Girl Scouts of the USA’s bold goal of putting 2.5 million girls in the STEM pipeline by 2025. Today, women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce yet are drastically underrepresented in many fields including STEM, in-demand jobs and leadership roles. For example:

• Just 18 percent of STEM leadership roles are held by women. Women represent 15 percent of engineers and architects
• Only 12 percent of computer science degrees are earned by women

“In a world where science, technology, engineering and mathematics are critical to so many fields of study and careers, it’s essential that we bridge the STEM gap by providing girls with a safe place to learn and gain new skills,” said Tammy Wharton, president & chief executive officer, GSOH. “With the support of partners like the Nationwide Foundation, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland is Dreaming Big for girls’ futures.”

For more information on Dream Big and to learn how you can participate, visit gsoh.org/dreambig.

As a part of this partnership, OL Reign and Nationwide will host a pet food drive at OL Reign’s match against San Diego Wave FC at Lumen Field on July 28. This drive will benefit Emerald City Pet Rescue, a local non-profit pet shelter in Seattle. Local veterinarian and pet shelter employees will be invited to the match with complimentary tickets to celebrate the work they do for the pets in our community.  

OL Reign will also be expanding its pet merchandise collection in collaboration with Nationwide. Nationwide is the nation’s leading pet insurer, currently protecting more than 1 million pets. 

“We are very excited to build upon our partnership with Nationwide,” said OL Reign CEO Vincent Berthillot. “Not only are we aligned in our values, but we’ve had an incredible experience working side by side with their staff for two seasons through Nationwide’s Community Impact Award Program and it feels natural to expand our partnership to showcase the passion our players and community have for animal wellness.”   

“We look forward to the many on- and off-the-pitch opportunities this new club partnership presents for Nationwide, OL Reign, and the Seattle community,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide. “In addition to traditional sponsorship components, the upcoming pet food supply drive is a terrific way to engage supporters, support a local animal adoption organization and let fans know that Nationwide offers protection for their pet family members.”  

Previously, OL Reign and Nationwide have come together through a shared commitment to make a positive impact in the community, on and off the field. In 2021, OL Reign won the inaugural NWSL Nationwide Community Impact award in support of the Black Future Co-Op Fund, earning a grand total of $25,000 in grants from Nationwide. The following year, OL Reign and its community partner Intentionalist won the fan vote award, earning a $5,000 grant from Nationwide. 

For more information about the NWSL Community Impact Award, visit https://www.nwslsoccer.com/2022-nationwide-community-impact-award.  

Using a kind of “Shark Tank”-like format, each researcher pitched their ideas before a judging panel, and five were selected for funding.  

“The goal of the research projects, each of which will last for one year, is to find a practical solution to a real-world problem in the agricultural ecosystem while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk,” Pierzynski said. 

The projects chosen include:

• Drought risk reduction: With increased extreme weather events like flooding on farm fields, effective water management for farmers and producers often means installing drainage tiles on their farm fields. This project will study the effects of automating the drainage water management process using sensor technology that monitors real-time water levels in farmers’ fields. Using an app on their phone or computer, a farmer could program their outlet gates to open, close, and respond automatically to these levels. Data gathered from the sensors could also improve decision-making. The project hopes to evaluate the impact of this technology by looking at the content, quality, and volume of water in experimental fields equipped with the automated drainage system. Researchers also plan to use sensors to consider how crops respond by measuring stress, yield, and photosynthetic activity.  
• Mapping climate risk audiences: An understanding of how audiences perceive climate change allows practitioners to address misperceptions. This project will map perceptions and experiences associated with climate risk, determine perceptions of insurance as a risk reduction and mitigation strategy, and identify climate risk audience segments. The goal is to create a nationwide map detailing climate risk perceptions by region or audience segment to inform future communication campaigns related to climate risk mitigation. 
• Precision Risk Management: This project studies the use of artificial intelligence and other precision and digital agriculture as a tool to predict corn and soybean yield differences as it relates to planting date to provide valuable guidance to Ohio farmers. 
• Studying Pathogen Interactions and Climate Risks to Improve Soybean Establishment: The project will research how spring weather conditions affect pathogen infection and seedling establishment in soybean crops with a goal to increase the understanding of how planting date, seasonal weather, and harvest date all affect seed quality and pathogen presence in soybeans. The study results may have immediate use for farmers in planting and harvesting recommendations. 
• Cell-Permeable Proteins for Sustainable Organic Agriculture: Biopesticides and bio stimulants are natural substances or organisms that, when applied, enhance a plant’s natural defense and growth mechanisms. The development of these natural approaches is in high demand due to increased disease pressure due to climate change and reduced effectiveness of traditional control methods. This project seeks to improve the effectiveness of an existing biopesticide for disease control and growth promotion in tomato crops, both those grown using hydroponics and those grown in farm fields. 

“All nine projects that were pitched were outstanding and worthy of funding,” Pierzynski said. “The Council selected five that were innovative, the closest to providing a solution to a relevant issue, and that would be of interest to Nationwide customers and employees.” 

“We had so many good candidates for this first round of funding,” said Devin Fuhrman, Nationwide’s Chief Agriculture and Sponsor Relations Officer. “I’m excited to see what insights their research produces and how that knowledge will help improve the agricultural ecosystem.” 

More information about the grant recipients and their projects can be found here. 

Additional details about the AgTech Innovation Hub are available at https://news.nationwide.com/osuhub.  

During the 2022 Iowa State Fair, Nationwide sponsored the second annual Food Bank of Iowa Chopped – Hot Dish Edition cooking competition. Participants showcased their best recipes using ingredients easily found in local food pantries. The winning recipes from this year’s contest and last year’s competition are now available in the “2022 Chopped – Hot Dish Edition Cookbook” which is free for anyone to download, enjoy and share. 

“Raising awareness comes in many forms and we’ll continue to look for creative ways to help,” says Brad Liggett, president of Nationwide Agribusiness and a member of the board of directors at Food Bank of Iowa and guest judge for the cooking competition. “Whether it’s volunteering at the food pantry, talking about hunger issues, trying a new recipe or sharing the cookbook with someone who might need or enjoy it, we can all take part in raising broader awareness of the difficulties many families face in obtaining nutritious food.” 

In 2022, the Food Bank of Iowa served 568,717 households and 1.5 million individuals.

“It’s incredibly rewarding for Nationwide to partner with local organizations like Food Bank of Iowa to help provide nutritious meals to hundreds of thousands of families throughout the year,” says Liggett. 

For more information on how to donate to the Food Bank of Iowa, visit https://foodbankiowa.org/donate.

In addition to affordable housing, tenant services will be provided by the developer, Mt. Baker Housing Association, and will focus on financial assistance, access to health resources, life skills and education, family and youth services, and community and cultural events. The property’s on-site amenities will include a community room, exercise room, business center, community courtyard, roof deck and bicycle storage.

The larger Grand Street Commons development will include two additional seven-story buildings that are expected to contain approximately 400 units of market-rate rental housing. Construction and clean-up of this former environmental brownfield site is being completed in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Ecology; the work started in September of this year and is expected to be completed in September 2024.

“The availability of affordable and safe housing is at a critical point right now, and Seattle is not immune to it. The Grand Street Commons project aligns with one of Nationwide’s primary corporate sustainability goals: promoting stable and affordable housing in neighborhoods, cities, and states where it operates,” said Joel Coleman, Nationwide’s Chief Investment Officer. “Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to invest in underserved communities through our robust Affordable Housing Tax Credit platform helps make projects like Grand Street Commons possible and improves the lives of many deserving people.”

Housing affordability in the U.S. is down 29 percent from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors¹, with Seattle being the thirty-first least-affordable housing market in the country². This isn’t the first time Nationwide has provided tax credit financing to affordable housing projects. Last year the company contributed funding to provide housing for homeless people in L.A.’s Central City East neighborhood.

¹ Daily Mail, October 26, 2022
²Seattle Agent Magazine, February 18, 2022

The first-of-its-kind effort—officially named the Community Impact Center—will bring local nonprofits together to maximize impact addressing critical needs in the community. 

The building is adjacent to Nationwide's downtown campus. The United Way announced in September the sale of its current headquarters, which will be transformed into apartments that include both workforce and market rate housing. 

“The nonprofit safety net is critical to the viability of any community. By partnering with Nationwide to create a unique, centralized office in downtown Columbus for numerous nonprofits, we can more efficiently, effectively, and collectively offer critical support,” said Lisa Courtice, President and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. “We’re thrilled our former downtown headquarters is slated to be redeveloped to include workforce and market rate housing and that our new location will allow more nonprofits to stand united.” 

The new master lease agreement will create a unique, centralized office in downtown Columbus for nonprofits that fill critical needs in the community. Along with United Way, partner tenants will include Communities In Schools Ohio; Future Ready Columbus; Per Scholas; UHCAN Ohio; Wells CPA; and the YMCA Stable Families administrative offices. 

“The 215 North Front building is a valuable asset, and we are pleased to effectively reposition it. This partnership with United Way of Central Ohio is the perfect example of the kind of opportunities Nationwide wants for buildings that are in a great location – organizations that bring stability, vitality, jobs, growth and a sense of civic pride to the core of our city,” said Kieran Sherry, who leads Corporate Real Estate for Nationwide. “As we seek to repurpose this space, providing a solution for area nonprofits aligns perfectly with our commitment to the community and our desire to make a positive impact. We need strong services, and this will result in a win for all involved.” 

“We're thrilled to be able to work with United Way of Central Ohio to create an economically viable center of excellence for nonprofits that provide critical services to our community,” added Chad Jester, President of the Nationwide Foundation.” 

Under terms of the agreement, United Way of Central Ohio will move in this December and recruit additional nonprofits to also move into the building in 2023 and 2024. Details of the lease agreement are not being disclosed. 

The nine-story, 150,000 square foot 215 North Front St. building has valuable amenities that will facilitate a greater level of cooperation among nonprofits that desire to be downtown and desire to collaborate to meet community needs, including:  

• Conference and collaboration space on the lower level; 
• Centrally located office space that can house more than a dozen nonprofits; 
• And, access to staff and visitor garage parking. 

“The implementation of our hybrid work model has been successful. We found that we can meet our customers’ needs and drive profitable growth while giving our employees more flexibility in where they want to work. That means we need less office space,” Sherry added. “While we continue to complete upgrades to our facilities to provide employees with more spaces that encourage collaboration and innovation, we are also looking to find viable uses for other valuable real estate that meets the unique needs of the community and contributes to the long-term vitality of downtown.” 

Nationwide has been thoughtfully repurposing office space, a process which was accelerated by a decision in April 2020 to transition to a permanent hybrid work model. With more than 50 percent of its workforce now permanently remote, the company needs less office space. In September, it announced a proposed sale of one of its buildings in Iowa to the City of Des Moines, a transaction that will allow that community to centralize city services. 

In honor of the charitable collaboration, Nationwide presented a $25,000 donation to Global FC during an on-field recognition at Audi Field in Washington D.C. The Current becomes the second club recipient of the award which was first captured by OL Reign in the program’s inaugural 2021 campaign.

Originally created as a community development project to assist refugees during resettlement, Global FC uses soccer to bridge socioeconomic disparities between communities through the formation of an inclusive sports culture. The organization provides underserved youth with quality soccer opportunities and access to first-rate facilities, leagues and tournaments. To learn more about Global FC, or to donate to their cause, visit globalfutbol.org.

“Congratulations to the Kansas City Current and Global FC for earning the 2022 Nationwide Community Impact Award,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s EVP and chief marketing officer. “Nationwide is proud to support the Current’s advocacy of Global FC’s mission to use soccer as a way to create a community of belonging for first generation immigrant and refugee youth.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with the KC Current and are humbled to receive this award,” said Mariya D. Goodbrake, Executive Director of Global FC. “Thank you on behalf of our resilient youth, and our extraordinary volunteers who carry our mission forward.”

As part of the league-wide initiative, each NWSL team partnered with Nationwide to select one season-long community partner. Each community organization received a $5,000 donation to support its program and serve as the focus of a team-led service project, with a designated player ambassador to champion the effort.

The 2022 Nationwide Community Impact partnerships and player ambassadors are celebrated in this video.

In the wake of Ian, the Nationwide Foundation is making an additional $100,000 donation to its annual support of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to assist those affected by the storm.  

The Nationwide Foundation also will match employee contributions to support recovery efforts following Fiona and Ian. 

Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 

About The Nationwide Foundation 
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $550 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. 

Nationwide is here for its members over the weekend and in the days ahead as they deal with the aftermath of the storm, whether they need help filing a claim or need financial flexibility afterwards. 

Catastrophe Response Units
Our Catastrophe Response Units (CRU) provide humanitarian assistance and serve as a central location for Nationwide customers to speak with our Claims team and ask questions about the claim process. For the latest information and locations, please visit our Catastrophe Response site.

Supporting the Red Cross 
In the wake of Ian, the Nationwide Foundation is making an additional $100,000 donation to its annual support of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to assist those affected by the storm. It is also matching Nationwide employee contributions to support recovery efforts following Fiona and Ian. 

People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

After the Storm and Starting a Claim 
After a hurricane or tropical storm has passed, it’s important to remain vigilant and safe. Consider these important tips: 

• After the storm has passed, use a flashlight if you are without power. Matches, candles or a lighter could ignite leaking gas. 
• If it is safe to do so, take pictures or video of any damage that may have occurred to make an insurance claim. 

The Nationwide claims team is ready to assist in the aftermath of Ian. Start your claims online at nationwide.com, through the Nationwide mobile app or by calling 800-421-3535 to ensure the quickest, most comprehensive service. 

Offering Financial Flexibility 
Nationwide is offering expedited disbursements and extensions on payments to life and annuity policyholders and retirement plan participants affected by Ian. Contact Nationwide's service centers for more details. 

To help the agricultural industry meet the ever-changing concerns of its stakeholders, Nationwide and The Ohio State University have collaborated to form the AgTech Innovation Hub. This innovation hub will be facilitated by the offices of innovation for both organizations as well as the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The two central Ohio-based institutions will work together to encourage the development of new solutions that will help the agricultural ecosystem while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk.  

Nationwide is pledging up to $2 million in initial funding to identify and execute initiatives for the Innovation Hub and plans to provide additional funding and resources in the future. The partnership was announced at the 2022 Farm Science Review.  

“Transitioning to a green economy, climate change – these are long-view issues that won’t be fixed overnight," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide’s Chief Executive Officer. “Agriculture is a part of Nationwide’s DNA, and we believe it’s important to invest in resources that pave the way for a vibrant and robust food supply chain. This innovation hub will be an incubator for those groundbreaking ideas. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and experts at Ohio State and to provide the funding to support this exciting and important work.” 

The AgTech Innovation Hub will provide a variety of tools, resources, skillsets and funding platforms to address the dynamic and changing needs of agriculture innovation to minimize climate risk and accurately insure those risks.  

“This partnership will build on the collaborative that Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation already have with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and The Ohio State University,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “It will challenge our students and faculty to bring innovative solutions to the table to tackle the grand challenges we face regarding the nexus of ecosystem sustainability, food security, and viable production agriculture.”  

“The agricultural industry is on the front lines of the climate change battle. Not only are farmers significantly impacted by the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, they also can – and must – play a key role in reducing them,” said Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson, PhD. “From carbon sequestration to adopting new technologies to further green farming practices, this partnership will help establish best practices to safeguard both our food supply and our environment for future generations. Our thanks to Nationwide for helping make this possible.” 

The Hub will promote applied research, technology transfer, the exchange of knowledge & experience, and transdisciplinary innovation in support of agricultural technology. Programs in scope may include early-stage entrepreneurs, established companies or producers developing new or value-added products or manufacturing processes, collaborations across institutions or industries, or those seeking new solutions to supply chain or other challenges in the food and agricultural ecosystems. 

“Innovation has always played a key role in Nationwide’s mission of protecting people, businesses and futures,” said Mike Mahaffey, Nationwide chief strategy and corporate development officer. “Nationwide stands ready to share our expertise and resources with those taking part in the Innovation Hub to develop solutions that will enrich the agricultural community for generations to come.” 

For more information about the AgTech Innovation Hub, visit https://news.nationwide.com/osuhub

On Monday, the league announced details around the 2022 campaign, a season-long, civically-focused initiative promoting community partners and advancing local service projects chosen and led by each NWSL team. It’s the second year for the program, which officially kicks off in July with appreciation games scheduled that will recognize each club’s community partner during a home match.

“It was great to see the teams and player ambassadors embrace this platform in its first year and engage fans with unique community partnerships,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s chief marketing officer. “Nationwide looks forward to continuing its support and promotion of the many important causes that will be highlighted by each club this year.”

At the end of the season, one team-community partnership will win the Nationwide Community Impact Award and e honored during the 2022 NWSL Championship weekend in October. The winning community partner will receive a $25,000 donation from Nationwide to further their organization’s efforts. In addition, each participating community partner will receive a $5,000 grant.

“Giving back to the community is a foundational component of the NWSL, led by our exemplary players, fans, staff and stakeholders,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We saw incredible participation and excitement around last year’s Nationwide Community Impact Program from all of our clubs and fans, and we’re excited to build on that this season.”

Last year, OL Reign won the inaugural award in support of the Black Future Co-Op Fund, a new paradigm for philanthropy uplifting Black-led solutions that ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being.

A full list of player ambassadors, community partners, and team appreciation nights can be found below. To learn more about this year’s 2022 Nationwide Community Impact Award, visit https://www.nwslsoccer.com/2022-nationwide-community-impact-award   

For his commitment, he’s been named Nationwide’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year.  

"It means the world to me that, for me and my organization, Nationwide has chosen to honor us for our work because it's really shedding light on human trafficking, which is one of the darkest crimes in our society and giving a voice to those who have none,” said Stollar.  

Stollar’s passion for serving all those impacted by human trafficking has led She Has A Name to grow in serving solicitors—those first-time and non-violent offenders arrested for purchasing sex who fuel the demand for sex trafficking. His vision and leadership have been the main driver in Columbus' private Solicitor Education Program, which currently generates the most revenue out of the organization’s 13 different programs. Today, She Has A Name is sought out as a leader in rehabilitation for solicitors, especially those struggling with trauma, depression, or other issues that can lead to solicitation. Some of those solicitors have even become She Has A Name advocates and volunteers, teaching alongside Stollar at the program.  

“Human trafficking is a business, and if we're only caring about the supply side, we're never going to end this issue,” said Courtney Schmackers, executive director for She Has A Name. “You have to look at the full picture, which means looking at those who are increasing the demand for sex.” 

As a longtime volunteer with She Has A Name, Stollar has helped both female victims of human trafficking and the (mostly) male individuals who try to solicit them. He has delivered gift bags at night to dozens of women on the streets of Columbus, Ohio, educated hundreds of men arrested for soliciting through the Solicitor Education Program, and successfully advocated for code changes to local officials. Stollar even created a unique presentation, "Why People Solicit," which he has taught across the country to other service providers seeking data-driven insights on how to reduce the demand for paid sex. 

“Chris’ unique role has been to remind us about the importance of the men involved in this issue,” said Schmackers. “Both those who are struggling with solicitation, and the men who want to help.”

In honor of his award, She Has A Name will receive a $5,000 grant in Stollar’s name. Nationwide also will present $1,000 grants to each of this year’s nine other honorees for their nonprofits. 

“We know thousands of our employees volunteer in their communities every day,” said Chad Jester, vice president of Corporate Citizenship at Nationwide. “We’re grateful for their continued commitment, and very proud of Chris and our 9 honorees.” 

For more information about Nationwide’s commitment to communities and giving, read the 2021 Corporate Sustainability report or check out open roles at Nationwide. 

Each year, Nationwide chooses one employee as the company's Volunteer of the Year.  The Volunteer of the Year receives two days of paid time off and a $5,000 grant for their organization; honorees receive one day of paid time off and a $1,000 grant for their organization.

Meet this year's honorees:

Tim Cotter,  LifeCare Alliance

Tim Cotter’s service as Board President with Central Ohio Diabetes Association (CODA) resulted in the successful merger of CODA and LifeCare Alliance in March 2017. Since then, Tim has ensured that LifeCare Alliance and CODA empower children with type 1 diabetes with the skills to manage their condition. At present, Tim serves on the LifeCare Alliance Risk Management and Strategic Planning committees.

Deana Croston,  Akron Canton Regional Foodbank

Deana Croston’s six years of volunteering with the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank has helped feed many families who are food insecure over the years throughout the 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters, and other hunger-relief programs in the neighborhoods and communities where people are in need. 

Jennifer Dentino,  Pet Prescription Team

Jennifer Dentino has a passion for giving back and has found a way to do this in her volunteer work with the nonprofit organization Pet Prescription Team. With three certified dogs of her own, for the past seven years Jennifer and fellow volunteers have been bringing certified therapy dogs to hospitals, assisted care facilities, hospice, rehab programs, and the Los Angeles County jails and juvenile correctional facilities. The organizations mission is “Healing hearts through pets.”

Art Hanthorn,  Equitas Health

Art Hanthorn has been involved with Equitas Health since 1996. Art is an integral part of the events team and his ideas and unique involvement year after year helps with keeping the organizations events fresh and exciting. The 100+ hours he selflessly gives per year are not matched by any other volunteer. 

Lacie Kern,  A Kid Again

Lacie Kern’s is a dedicated volunteer with A Kid Again. In 2021, Lacie was asked to join their Women's Council and participate in fundraising events. Over the past year, Lacie has recruited friends and family to join her “Capes & Crowns” walk team to support A Kid Again, volunteered at multiple fundraising events, and spent an evening selling raffle tickets at a Columbus Blue Jackets game – outselling all other volunteers because of her excitement about raising money for A Kid Again.

Laura Owens,  Lapeer County Mounted Search and Rescue

Laura Owens is dedicated to the work she does, and knows she makes a difference when it comes to assisting in locating missing persons, as a volunteer at Lapeer County Mounted Search and Rescue. Laura values her community and helping others, knowing she can make a difference.

Joyce Shott,  Alvis

Joyce Schott’s list of services she performs for the Alvis organization spans eight different areas. When speaking of her connection to Alvis’ client population, Joyce shares, “She doesn’t want anyone to feel alone and that someone cares.” She understands the gravity of the challenges that clients face and wants to be there for them.

Chris Stollar,  She Has A Name 

Chris Stollar has volunteered for more than 10 years with She Has A Name, an anti-human trafficking organization based in Columbus, Ohio. He recently became the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at She Has A Name with a unanimous vote by his peers, after training, mentoring, and serving as an active board member for several years. Chris also works as the main moderator at She Has A Name’s Solicitor Education Program, which educates people arrested for soliciting and connects them to helpful resources. 

Megan Wilson-Crumb,  The Beacon

Megan Wilson-Crumb has been volunteering at The Beacon for three years and has put in 58 hours of volunteer time in the past year. Her primary role is to serve as the lead of the logistics and decoration planning committee for the organization's annual Cake Gala. The most recent Cake Gala was the most successful to date, bringing in a $60,000 profit which was exceptional considering the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. 

Sarah Yetzer,  Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center

Sarah Yetzer started volunteering with the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center after her own dog, Sadie, passed away in 2021. Her dog was a gift from her late husband, Eric, and Sarah wanted to turn her sorrow into something good by taking action and helping dogs find forever homes.  

For more information about Nationwide’s commitment to communities and giving, read the  2021 Corporate Sustainability report or check out open roles at Nationwide.

As an insurance and financial services protection company, Nationwide works closely with people and organizations committed to making an impact. From food insecurity, housing shortages and homelessness, to economic empowerment and rural crisis response, public and private community groups are working creatively to make a difference and Nationwide is highlighting those efforts. 

The videos below showcase some of the important work being done and where Nationwide has been able to lend a helping hand to local organizations committed to protecting their communities. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, City of Columbus, open free food community market.

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, Jerome Township Fire Department save lives with grain bin rescue tubes.

Nationwide making investments to help alleviate housing insecurity and homelessness.

To learn more about the organizations Nationwide is partnering with to support these efforts, read our Corporate Sustainability Report. 

Dedicated to providing equal housing opportunities for Black and underserved communities since 1988, Rice says that the NFHA serves as the voice of fair housing. During the conversation, Rice reviews some critical initiatives that the NFHA is focusing on in 2022 and beyond, like the NFHA’s Keys Unlock Dreams initiative, which aims to reduce disparities in housing and household wealth by addressing systemic racism.

Learn more about the work National Fair Housing Alliance is doing, including an initiative to foster tech equity and extending resources to help communities recover from the coronavirus health and economic crisis, by watching the full conversation below.

Related stories:

• Black entrepreneurs, change agents celebrated during Black History Month (2/26/21)
• Unlocking solutions to the homeownership gap (7/22/20)

Weingart Tower 1A, a 278-unit apartment building designed to provide housing for homeless people in L.A.’s Central City East neighborhood, infamously known as Skid Row, has secured additional tax credit construction financing from Nationwide, helping to make the development financially viable. The roughly $164 million project, funded in part through Nationwide’s affordable housing tax credit program, broke ground on Sept. 28.

“Time and again research has shown that the key to bringing people out of homelessness is the availability of affordable and safe housing,” said Chief Investment Officer Joel Coleman at Nationwide. “We believe Weingart Tower has the potential to be transformative for hundreds, and eventually thousands, of Los Angeles residents who need a hand up to help them escape from homelessness. As a protection company, we can think of few causes that are more important than safe, stable housing.”

The Skid Row district of Los Angeles has been an epicenter of homelessness for decades. In 1976, the city of Los Angeles established the area as an unofficial “containment zone” for homeless people and homeless services. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were nearly 4,800 residents of the 50-block area east of downtown in 2019, more than 2,700 of which were homeless.

Weingart Tower 1A is the first of two apartment towers planned for the neighborhood. When completed, Weingart Tower 1A and Weingart Tower 1B will offer a mix of 382 studio and one-bedroom apartment units to people transitioning out of homelessness. Tenants will be able to use vouchers from the Housing Authority of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. The development is funded by multiple public and private organizations, including the city of Los Angeles and the state of California.

In addition to apartment units, Weingart Tower 1A will also house social service offices, laundry facilities and a fitness center for residents of both towers. Weingart Tower 1A is expected to be completed in 2023. Tower 1B, a 104-unit 12-story building, is slated to begin construction in summer 2022 and be completed in 2024. When the two buildings are complete, they will be the largest housing development for the homeless in the city’s history.

Nationwide became involved in the project because it aligns with one of the company’s primary investment goals of promoting stable and affordable housing in neighborhoods, cities and states where it operates, Coleman said. Projects like Weingart Tower are rare, he added, because the below-market rents charged to tenants make it difficult for developers to cover their costs. Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to invest in underserved communities through its more than $3 billion Affordable Housing Tax Credit platform helps make projects like Weingart Tower feasible and improves the lives of many deserving people.

For more information about Nationwide’s efforts to promote affordable housing, read Nationwide’s 2020 Corporate Sustainability report.

In response, Nationwide adjusters are connecting with policyholders both remotely and in-person where allowed by local officials.

At the same time, the Nationwide Foundation made a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support assistance for those affected by the storms.

"The video of the destruction is unimaginable," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “It’s clear that many communities will need a tremendous amount of help to recover and rebuild. We are already on the ground to help our customers affected by the storms, and the Foundation’s gift to the Red Cross will provide direct relief to those who most urgently need it.”

Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About The Nationwide Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $550 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.

To close out its first season as an official sponsor of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Nationwide presented the inaugural Nationwide Community Impact Award to OL Reign and its designated community partner, Black Future Co Op Fund. The philanthropic organization provides education, opportunity and funding through grants to local black-owned businesses, nonprofits, associations and other groups across the state of Washington. The organizations were honored during halftime of the 2021 NWSL Championship match between the Washington Spirit and the Chicago Red Stars.

In honor of their charitable collaboration, Black Future Co Op Fund received a $20,000 donation from Nationwide to further the efforts of their program/initiative.

During the season, Dani Weatherholt championed the effort to continue to raise awareness – which the team wears proudly on their home and away kits - and organize team-led efforts for fundraising, mentoring and continued conversations to grow the newly established fund. 

“OL Reign and the Black Future Co-op Fund are a winning partnership to confront anti-Blackness and promote a liberated future for Black Washingtonians,” said T’wina Nobles, one of the architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund and Washington state senator. “Our gratitude to the National Women’s Soccer League and Nationwide for this Community Impact Award, which will go towards our efforts to build Black wealth, health, and well-being.”

“We’re proud to name the OL Reign and the Black Future Co-Op Fund as our first-ever Nationwide Community Impact Award winners,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “The Black Future Co-op Fund is an extraordinary model of empowerment and education, and it’s an honor to recognize this partnership and the invaluable work being done to support the Black community in Washington.”

Several other Nationwide’s Community Impact ambassadors were also honored for their off-the-field leadership as Darian Jenkins, Jessica McDonald and Addisyn Merrick joined Nationwide for the halftime recognition.

The 2021 Community Impact partnerships and player ambassadors are celebrated in this video.

The Dayton Arcade, a 500,000-square-foot, nine-building collection of historic downtown structures, is now home to The Lofts at the Dayton Arcade. Opened on Oct. 19, 2021, by the city of Dayton and project developer McCormack Baron Salazar, the development is made up of 110 loft apartment units, 103 of which are being leased at below-market, affordable rates.  

Nationwide participated in the financing of the $37.95 million Dayton Arcade Lofts, along with the Ohio Capital Finance Corporation, the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, the city of Dayton, RBC Capital Markets, Fifth Third Bank, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, McCormack Baron Salazar, CrossStreet and Model Group. 

“Nationwide is pleased to be involved in this momentous re-opening of such a meaningful landmark for the downtown Dayton area,” Nationwide Chief Investments Officer Joel Coleman said. “We are thrilled that our investment will help to ensure the preservation of the Dayton Arcade and enable the opportunity to provide much-needed housing and retail space to support this community.”  

With its ornate exterior facades and soaring rotunda at the center of the complex, the Dayton Arcade has long been a point of pride for the Miami Valley region.  The project features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with accessible universal design features and energy efficient components. Project amenities include a multi-purpose room, a fitness center, theater room and a workforce training room. Common areas include artist studios, a gallery for display of resident artwork and a public lounge for interaction between resident artists and the public. Residents are within close walking distance of a wide variety of community services, including a neighboring bank, pharmacy, and public transportation. 

Units are being marketed to Dayton-area artists and creative entrepreneurs.  

For more information about Nationwide’s efforts to promote affordable housing, read Nationwide’s 2020 Corporate Sustainability report.

The platform, which will continue through the duration of Nationwide’s partnership with the league, officially kicks off in September with appreciation games that will recognize each club’s community partner during a home match.

“All of our clubs are situated within passionate, tight-knit communities, and it’s important for our teams to give back to their cities and fanbases in meaningful ways,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird. “We’re so excited to launch this incredible program and can’t thank Nationwide enough for helping us serve our communities. We hope that through this project our teams can continue to leave a positive impact on their communities in more ways than one.”

As part of the league-wide initiative, each team will partner with Nationwide to select one season-long community partner. Each community organization will receive a grant to support its program and serve as the focus of a team-led service project, with a designated player ambassador to champion the effort.

“Nationwide has a long history of aligning our values and our passion for community support to our sports partnerships. Creating this platform to showcase the great work being done in each of the NWSL club communities was a natural fit for us,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s chief marketing officer. “We’re excited to see each team-community partnership come to life – especially with the support of the player ambassadors – and we look forward to presenting the first Nationwide Community Impact Award later this year.”

At the end of the season, one team-community partnership will be selected as the winner of the Nationwide Community Impact Award and their collective efforts will be honored during the 2021 NWSL Championship weekend in November. The winning community partner will receive a $20,000 donation from Nationwide to further the efforts of their program.

A full list of player ambassadors, community partners and appreciation nights can be found below.

About NWSL

The National Women’s Soccer League is a 12-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from around the world. The clubs are the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, OL Reign, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Kansas City NWSL, Washington Spirit, and Racing Louisville FC, with two California-based teams, Angel City FC and San Diego, set to join for the 2022 season. Based in Chicago, the NWSL is partners with the Canadian Soccer Association and the United States Soccer Federation.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The list is based on a survey of 4.5 million U.S. employees’ experiences of how their workplaces have made a difference in their lives and in their communities. Rankings also reflect the generosity of each organization's benefits, philanthropic and community support. 

The magazine’s September 13 issue notes how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Nationwide’s efforts to put people first by supporting their employees and surrounding their communities. In particular, the magazine calls attention to the company’s Associates Helping Associates program, which enables employees to contribute to a fund that provides financial relief to fellow employees affected by natural disasters, domestic violence and health-related emergencies.  

The magazine also calls out how Nationwide’s ongoing support of social justice efforts factored into this year’s ranking, noting its partnerships with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Equal Justice Initiative and the National Fair Housing Alliance's "Keys Unlock Dreams" initiative, which strives to give all Americans safe, affordable housing. 

“We are all so proud of this recognition,” says Vinita Clements, chief HR officer. “Our No. 1 value is ‘we value people.’ We will always put people first, and this was magnified this past year and a half as we faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the social justice movement. Through our Associates Helping Associates program, social justice commitments and other important initiatives, we have continued to care deeply about our communities and each other and deliver on our mission of providing extraordinary care.” 

Nationwide consistently ranks on top workplace award lists including: 

• 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (seven consecutive years) 2021
• Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials (three years) 
• 2021 Seramount Best Companies for Multicultural Women (two consecutive years) 
• 2020 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (eight years) 
• Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (17 consecutive years) 
• 2020 Seramount Best Companies for Working Mothers

To learn more about Nationwide’s efforts to care for employees and the communities in which it operates, visit the Nationwide corporate giving and volunteer page.

"Part of protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care is giving to our community partners who are on the front lines responding after storms like Ida," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. "While our claims teams stand ready to meet the needs of our customers, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund helps provide for the most basic of needs in the wake of hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters."

Gifts to American Red Cross Disaster Relief enable the organization to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small by providing food, shelter, emotional support, clean-up kits and other assistance for those in need. People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

About The Nationwide Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $550 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.

Cooks were asked to create simple and affordable casseroles using foods readily available to pantry clients. Judging focused on taste, affordability, and appearance. Nationwide’s president of Agribusiness, Brad Liggett, served as a judge for the contest.

“The Iowa State Fair is an important cultural event that offered us an opportunity to partner with the Food Bank of Iowa to raise awareness,” said Brad Liggett, President of Nationwide Agribusiness, who served as a judge and sits on the Food Bank of Iowa Board of Directors. “Food insecurity in Iowa has doubled, even tripled with families with children due to COVID-19. It affects the health of our community and hinders growth, education and work performance.”

Olivia Smith from Winterset, IA collected the blue ribbon and a $1,000 cash prize provided by Nationwide. Smith’s “Family Favorite Skillet Casserole” included tater tots, ground pork, vegetables, creamy sauce and seasoning. The blue-ribbon award-winning recipes will be published in an electronic cookbook to be distributed to Food Bank of Iowa pantry partners.

“Our food pantries regularly ask for affordable, tasty and simple recipes to provide new ideas for pantry clients,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book. “The casserole dishes from this competition are destined to become family favorites.”

The Nationwide Foundation supports food banks across the country and Feeding America’s efforts to source more fresh fruits and vegetables for people struggling with hunger. For more about Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation’s partnership with Feeding America and their efforts to fight food insecurity, visit the Feeding America page.