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.  

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.”

"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

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. 

The program was developed through Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative and is designed to create job opportunities for people in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental health condition, combat stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness in the workplace and provide a boost to Ohio businesses.

“The new Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace program has the power to transform lives by offering meaningful work for people looking to get back on their feet and by providing additional support systems for current employees,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m calling on all Ohio businesses to implement recovery-friendly practices and earn this designation today. Together, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction, while making our people, our economy, and our communities all stronger.”

At a recent ceremony announcing the program in Cincinnati, Ohio, Governor DeWine was joined by business representatives, including Tina Thornton, associate vice president of wellbeing and safety at Nationwide.

“We’re proud of this designation and will remain committed to offering effective policies, providing access to resources and cultivating an inclusive culture,” said Thornton. “Prioritizing wellbeing in the workplace is essential for creating a safe, supportive and productive environment.”

Investing in wellness programs isn’t new at Nationwide. The company’s integrative approach to wellbeing incorporates all aspects of health and safety and through company programs, employees and their families have access to a variety of resources.

Earlier this year, Nationwide’s commitment to wellbeing was recognized as the company earned Business Group on Health’s Best Employer Award and received Mental Health America’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health Platinum Award. Nationwide has also received the Healthy Business Council of Ohio’s Healthy Worksite Award for five years in a row. 

Visit Nationwide.com to learn about additional employee benefits.

“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.

The Nationwide Foundation commitment represents the largest ever corporate foundation commitment to a children’s hospital in the United States and will enable Nationwide Children’s to realize its long-term strategic plan aimed at transforming health outcomes for children locally and around the world.  

“Nationwide Foundation has supported our mission for nearly seven decades, and we are deeply grateful for this latest demonstration of their unprecedented generosity,” said Tim Robinson, Nationwide Children’s Hospital CEO. “Today’s landmark announcement is inspiring for the entire team as we work to achieve our ambitious strategic plan. We exist to achieve best outcomes for children everywhere, and Nationwide has been by our side every step of the way. We are honored to have the Nationwide Foundation as a leading contributor to our campaign and our hope is that their philanthropy will inspire others to support ‘Empower the Possible.’ ”   

This latest philanthropic commitment extends the Nationwide Foundation’s tradition of supporting the hospital through transformational gifts to support children’s health.  

Since 2006, the Nationwide Foundation has made philanthropic contributions to NCH, including a $50 million historic gift in 2006 and annual gifts of $10 million through the Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund.  

The Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund has supported cutting-edge treatment and discovery in many areas. In the early years of the Fund, genomics, cardiology, injury prevention, and neonatology were key focus areas. In more recent years, as the needs of our community have evolved, the Innovation Fund has supported population health, behavioral health, and innovative methods of harnessing technology and data. The Innovation Fund also has consistently been used to recruit and retain the best and brightest minds in medicine through an endowed chair program. Nationwide Foundation has generously created 17 endowed chairs, the highest honor that can be given to a researcher or clinician. These endowments stand in perpetuity, creating a legacy of excellence associated with Nationwide Foundation that will last for generations. 

“We are proud of our long-standing support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “This historic gesture represents our commitment to the future of children’s health and our belief in the world-class care provided by the team at NCH. We encourage other individuals and institutions to join us in supporting this vital mission.” 

Nationwide Foundation has already contributed $30 million toward this $100 million commitment. The commitment will include annual $10 million gifts, each contingent on approval from the Nationwide Foundation board of trustees.  

The transformational commitment will help fund the hospital’s strategic plan. Individual and institutional commitment to the campaign will enable Nationwide Children's to realize the vision of: 

• Advancing cutting-edge treatment and discovery through integrated clinical care and research. 
• Creating a national model for expanding access to behavioral health services. 
• Creating the healthiest community of children by addressing the social determinants of health. 
• Increasing support for Genomics Research and Personalized Medicine. 

To learn more and to help Nationwide Children’s Hospital “Empower the Possible,” visit https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/Empower-the-Possible.

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital 
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health care systems providing unique expertise in pediatric population health, behavioral health, genomics, and health equity as the next frontiers in pediatric medicine, leading to best outcomes for the health of the whole child. Integrated clinical and research programs, as well as prioritizing quality and safety, are part of what allows Nationwide Children’s to advance its unique model of care. Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 14,000 that provides state-of-the-art wellness, preventive and rehabilitative care and diagnostic treatment during more than 1.7 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded free-standing pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org. 

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. 

This landmark commitment highlights the public launch of the hospital’s “Empower the Possible” campaign and with other gifts brings the campaign’s fundraising total to more than $270 million, more than halfway to the campaign goal of $500 million.

And it represents the largest ever corporate foundation commitment to a children’s hospital in the United States with the goal of enabling NCH to realize its long-term strategic plan aimed at transforming health outcomes for children locally and around the world.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of Nationwide Foundation’s previous contributions – the cutting-edge treatments, the breakthroughs in research and the personalized care that transforms lives,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “But we also recognize there’s more work to be done, so I’m thrilled about this new chapter and look forward to seeing the impact the Nationwide Foundation and others have in the years to come.”

The Nationwide Foundation has a long history of supporting NCH, with philanthropic contributions including a $50 million historic gift in 2006 and annual gifts of $10 million through the Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund. These donations have supported cutting-edge treatment and discovery through integrated clinical care and research, quality care for all children, the expansion and sharing of the Hospital Model of Care, and increased support for Genomics Research and Personalized Medicine.

The Nationwide Foundation made a $10 million donation in both 2022 and 2023 and the Nationwide Foundation Trustees recently approved and made a $10 million donation for 2024.  Additional Nationwide Foundation commitments of $10 million annually through 2031 are contingent upon annual approval by the Nationwide Foundation Trustees.

Nationwide Children’s CEO expressed gratitude for the continued support of the Nationwide Foundation.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support of the Nationwide Foundation,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “This historic announcement represents a commitment to the future of children’s health and a belief in the world-class care provided by our team at NCH. We are honored to have the Nationwide Foundation as a leading contributor to our campaign and we hope others will join in supporting our mission to revolutionize pediatric health."

This historic commitment from the Nationwide Foundation is a testament to the importance of investing in children’s health and the transformative impact it can have. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is poised to continue its mission of providing world-class care to children in need, thanks in part to the generosity of the Nationwide Foundation.

To learn more and to help Nationwide Children’s Hospital “Empower the Possible,” visit https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/Empower-the-Possible.

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. 

The apprenticeship program identifies promising young adults while they’re in high school and provides an opportunity for them to earn an Associate’s degree at Columbus State as part of this community-based initiative.  

“Getting into this program has been a very big confidence boost for me,” says current program participant Keisha Bass in the short video. “It made others see potential in me that I didn't really see in myself.”

The program launched in 2020 to encourage students who may not have considered a career in financial services. It now has three current and former groups of participants and has seen three graduates hired to full-time positions at Nationwide. The company plans to continue creating opportunities for local talent through this program, further strengthening its longstanding commitment to the central Ohio community and to its values of belonging, respect and fairness.

NFW-11582AO (10/23)

The 2023 gift, which will support several key hospital initiatives, builds on more than a decade of philanthropic investments in vital programs that seek to help all children have a healthy future, whether they live in central Ohio or across the United States.

The Pediatric Innovation Fund will support the hospital’s ongoing efforts to create affordable housing units in Linden. Community factors such as access to housing, health care, education, employment, transportation, and healthy food can directly affect a person’s health. Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative helps to address these factors impacting health and well-being.

Healthy Homes, the affordable housing arm of Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, will develop 80 high quality, affordable homes for purchase in Linden, in partnership with the Central Ohio Community Land Trust. Each house is sold at less than the cost to develop it. Twenty homes are complete, and eight are currently in construction.

Through the recently announced Linden Home Fund II, $50 million will support the development of 150 rental units. Nationwide is among the funding partners.

“Nationwide Children’s is committed to improving the health of families and neighborhoods by working with community partners to address the social and economic factors that can impact health outcomes. But it takes a community to make impactful change,” said Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Nationwide Foundation’s generous $10 million gift and ongoing commitment to improving community health will help us strengthen our work in affordable housing to help families improve their health starting at home. It will also help advance our research in genomic medicine, create innovative ways to manage data, and attract and retain world-class talent.”        

Other programs benefiting from this year’s $10 million gift include:

• Genomics: Funding in 2023 will support capital and programming enhancements to process more genomes, more quickly and cost-effectively at the hospital’s Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine. Established in 2016, the Institute is one of the leading programs in pediatric precision genomic medicine in the U.S., focusing on genomics as the key to diagnosis and to identifying treatments for a range of childhood diseases. Since its inception, the Institute has provided more than 63,000 clinical genomics-based tests for more than 17,000 patients with a wide variety of conditions.
• Biomedical Data Sciences: Funds will help the hospital develop a state-of-the-art centralized data analytics function. The newly established Office of Data Sciences will help the hospital to consolidate data and leverage it more effectively for treatment, cures, and other advancements.
• New Endowed Chair in Innovative Pediatric Care: Funds will support ongoing efforts to attract and retain best-in-class talent by creating the Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair in Innovative Pediatric Care. The chair will be awarded to Alex Kemper, MD, MDH, MS, who is the division chief of primary care pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital and professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Sixteen endowed chairs have been made possible through the Nationwide Foundation. These endowed chairs are critical to the recruitment and retention of top medical talent, supporting the Hospital’s ranking as the sixth top children’s hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

“The Nationwide Foundation is proud of our ongoing partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman Kirt Walker. “Together, we’re helping to provide solutions for our community on critically important issues like affordable housing and research that make an impact and improve the welfare of children and their families.”

The Nationwide Foundation established the Pediatric Innovation Fund in 2014 to target strategic investments in pediatric and community health and to accelerate the most promising research and clinical discoveries at Nationwide Children’s. To date, the Foundation has contributed $100 million to the fund, including the 2023 gift. With the Nationwide Foundation’s initial $50 million donation in 2006, its contributions have now reached $150 million. In addition, Nationwide’s sports marketing programs, including the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, have raised more than $55 million since 2011 to support hospital programs.

“The research advancements and community impact made possible through the Pediatric Innovation Fund – whether in genomics, population health, pediatric mental well-being or data science – have allowed Nationwide Children’s Hospital to make meaningful contributions to the lives of children and their families not only locally, but worldwide,” Walker said.

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.  

Midfielder Darlington Nagbe is a captain for the Columbus Crew but away from the MLS pitch, he is just a regular soccer dad. 

During a recent conversation about youth mental health and the role parents have in creating a positive sports environment for kids, the father of three said it is best - but not always easy - to keep a balanced perspective.   

“As parents, we need to understand that for our kids, playing a sport on the weekend is just an outlet to release emotion. We need to try to not live through them, which is tough sometimes,” Nagbe told Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of On Our Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “A lot of times, it comes from a good place – you want to see your child succeed and be great but at the same time, we need to recognize when it’s time to fall back and let them go out there and express themselves.” 

Sports can be an amazing outlet, yet pressure to perform or meet expectations of parents, coaches and teammates can negatively impact kids’ mental health. To help address this topic and countless other stresses facing young people today, the Columbus Crew presented “On Our Sleeves Day” in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital on Saturday, May 13 as the club hosted Orlando City SC at Lower.com Field.

The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health, created by behavioral health experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is on a mission to provide access to free children’s mental health resources and raise money for creating expert-informed tools for parents, teachers and coaches across the U.S.

In addition to awareness elements and in-stadium fundraising, the Crew players showcased the theme in a variety of ways. Multiple players wore custom cleats, designed by Columbus artist Hakim Callwood, featuring On Our Sleeves imagery during pre-match warmups to raise awareness for the cause, including Nagbe, who also donned a captain’s armband promoting the initiative. Black & Gold players’ jerseys also featured numbers displaying On Our Sleeves icons. Select items will be available to Crew supporters via an auction that benefits On Our Sleeves.

The night culminated with a first-in-club-history drone show that illuminated the skies to illustrate the importance of children’s mental health while celebrating the Black & Gold’s history, On Our Sleeves, Crew supporters and everyone’s shared commitment to the City of Columbus and its youth.

“Nationwide is proud to join our partners at the Crew and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support On Our Sleeves, driving greater awareness of the conversation-starting resources available to help families and children in our communities,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide.

Visit onoursleeves.org/crew for youth athletes conversation starters and many other helpful On Our Sleeves resources.

“I remember him asking me, ‘Mommy, why am I not going to see my friends?’” says Kim, a wellness consultant in Associate Wellbeing and Safety at Nationwide. “It’s hard to explain a pandemic to a three-year-old.”

Then, after going back to daycare Kim noticed some emotional changes in her son – especially in the way he connected to his friends.

“I began noticing really small things, like more frequent outbursts,” she says. “All of these things are completely normal for toddlers, but I wanted to be able to support him and help understand what he might be feeling from an emotional perspective.”

Bloom
When she found Bloom was offered by Nationwide to its associates – a free, confidential set of resources created by the behavioral experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital On Your Sleeves Movement  – she saw it as an opportunity to learn some tools and strategies she could use now and in the future. Bloom offers short courses that help parents and caregivers build mental wellness habits, start mental health conversations and recognize when kids need additional help.

The Nationwide Foundation teamed up with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to fund the Bloom program. The program recently earned Nationwide and Nationwide Children’s Hospital the prestigious Halo Award for Best Health Initiative from the Engage for Good organization.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to provide the Bloom online curriculum, which offers resources for families to have these conversations,” said Vinita Clements, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Nationwide.

“We know in the mental health field there’s a lot of things we can do to help our children thrive, and there are things we can do to support them when they’re not doing well,” says Ariana Hoet, Ph.D., executive clinical director of On Your Sleeves and a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “That’s what exciting about Bloom. There are different tracks depending on your needs.”

Supporting your family’s mental health
Dr. Hoet joined mental health experts from Optum Behavioral Health and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation earlier this month for a panel discussion on family mental health at Nationwide in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month. The panel, which included Clements and Tina Thornton, Associate Vice President of Associate Wellbeing and Safety at Nationwide, talked about the trends and issues impacting the crisis in mental health, how parents and family members can support the mental health needs of children and loved ones, what to look out for and the ways to get help. 

In addition to Bloom, Nationwide offers all associates and their household members up to 16 visits per issue, per year with a counselor through its Associate Assistance Program (AAP). The Associate Wellbeing and Safety team at Nationwide provides emotional wellbeing resources including interactive digital tools, mindfulness activities and mental health training for leaders.

By using Bloom and other mental health resources, Kim says she feels better equipped to help her son. She now knows what questions to ask and what behaviors to look for in the future.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect parent,” she says. “But I do believe in being educated and having tools that help you make things easier for your children and help them feel seen.”

The Financial Alliance for Racial Equity (FARE) is excited to put this insight into action with the introduction of its inaugural HBCU Mentorship Program to support Black students and young professionals with career growth and professional development opportunities.

In the spring of 2022 several subject matter experts from FARE member firms, including Franklin Templeton, M Financial, NFP, Nationwide, DCIIA, American Retirement Association, Advisor Group and The American College of Financial Services in HR, talent acquisition and DE&I brainstormed what a best-in-class mentorship program could look like based on their own learnings and firm experiences.

“The FARE mentorship program takes a holistic approach to nurturing young professionals and providing a framework to ensure a positive experience for both the mentors and mentees throughout the experience,” said Timi Jorgenson, Director to Assistant Vice President of Financial Education & Well-Being at The American College of Financial Services, who helped shape the program. “By incorporating the Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth℠ certificate program for mentors and mentees, the conversation around career goals and personal financial health can happen simultaneously. Personal, family, and community goals and aspirations can be matched with career and professional development goals to provide the mentees with a clear view of their future.” 

How it works
Through structured 1-to-3 mentorship circles and focused, industry-relevant content, FARE’s HBCU mentorship program will serve as an industry best practice and practical guide to elevate awareness in the Financial Services industry and will eventually be available to any firm or individual, to utilize for no fee.

The FARE Mentorship Program will leverage content from The American College of Financial Services, Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth^SM, a state-of-the-art education and empowerment experience for those who want to improve their understanding of money and personal finance.

Each circle includes three mentees – Black students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and one mentor – a FARE member firm mid-senior level leader, with matching based on career goals and interests. FARE leaders anticipate 30 black students will complete the program in 2023, providing insights and data to grow and scale this model for others in the industry looking to incorporate mentorship into their own employee retention and DEIB strategies.

Program participants will have the opportunity to complete a capstone course directly following the mentorship experience. The FP99 curriculum, Foundations of Financial Planning (presented by The American College of Financial Services), provides an overview of key industry concepts such as the financial planning process, industry trends, retirement planning, Medicare and Social Security.

“As an HBCU graduate, I know firsthand how mentorship can aid in accelerating your career,” said Aiyisha Adams, Vice President of Advisor Engagement for Advisor Group, who will participate as a mentor in the program. “Proper mentorship can have a significant impact on the psychology and confidence level of minorities. Just knowing that I have a hand in shaping a young person’s career and can help them navigate the corporate world is a thrill for me. It is my hope that I will help my mentees see that servant leadership benefits them, their teams, and the organizations they serve.”

View a recent column about the FARE Mentorship program in Financial Advisor Magazine

The Financial Alliance for Racial Equity includes Advisor Group, Capital Group, Cetera, Franklin Templeton, Huntington Bank, M Financial Group, Nationwide, NFP, RBC Wealth Management, Swiss Re, American Retirement Association, CFP Board, DCIIA, The American College of Financial Services, IRI (Insured Retirement Institute), Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University of Missouri, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston Salem State University.

¹ Research for Action (2019) “Nationwide Potential Advisors: HBCU Student Perceptions of the Field of Financial Planning and Factors that Influence Student Career Choice

All third parties mentioned are not related to or affiliated with Nationwide or any of its affiliates.

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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. 

On November 9, tournament and hospital officials gathered to announce this year’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship raised a record $3,316,205 million for that noble cause. 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 second consecutive time the $3 million mark has been exceeded. Since its inception in 2007, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship has raised more than $22.3 million in support of the hospital’s pediatric cancer program.

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship is a best-in-class Korn Ferry Tour tournament in many ways – from the top-tier competition to the outstanding golf course to the fan-friendly format – but it’s the fundraising that is truly unmatched on this tour,” 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 also thankful for the tremendous support of our business partners, the dedication of our tournament staff and volunteers, and the willingness of our Patient Champions to share their inspiring stories.”

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship helps make our innovative efforts to care for children with cancer possible,” said Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide Children’s. “The tournament not only supports our patients; it also supports our research and discoveries, ultimately benefiting children with cancer all over the world. The Championship and its sponsors, volunteers and spectators make a real difference in the lives of families.”

Since 2011, Nationwide’s sports marketing partnerships have contributed more than $55 million to Nationwide Children’s. Beyond the golf-related fundraising from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Legends Luncheon and 11 years as presenting sponsor of the Memorial Tournament, additional support comes from partnerships with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon/Half Marathon, Columbus Crew and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit nationwidechildrens.org.

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.

Students from eight different Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) participated in FARE’s first hybrid in-person/virtual event. They were joined by industry executives from financial services firms such as Advisor Group, NFP, Franklin Templeton, RBC, Swiss Re, and Nationwide; representatives from the American College of Financial Services; HBCU Connect; and other young professionals eager to interest them in career experiences in the financial services industry. 

Special guests Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, the men behind the popular podcast and social media phenomenon Earn Your Leisure, shared their inspiring message of financial wellness and entrepreneurship. 

In addition to learning more about generational wealth-building, attendees were offered free professional headshots along with guidance on enhancing their resumes and building a strong LinkedIn profile. FARE member firms conducted 36 interviews for current jobs and internships at the event and collected more than 700 resumes from students and young professionals for future engagement.

This was the first in-person event of many planned events aimed at increasing diversity in financial services and aiding financial awareness and wellness in diverse communities.   

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Every October, 18,000 runners, 3,000 volunteers and 100,000 spectators join together to raise funds for life-saving research that can lead to cures for kids. Kids like Nationwider Bill Borchers’ daughter, Evelyn.  

Within 24 hours after Evelyn was born, a murmur was detected in her heart. She was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) for open-heart surgery and spent 11 weeks under monitoring by the doctors and nurses. Then at age one, Evelyn was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by excessive physical growth during the first years of life. Bill and his family were worried, but thanks to NCH and the Cardiology and Genetics teams, Evelyn’s future looks bright.

This fall, Evelyn entered the third grade and she was excited to play an important part in the 2022 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon as a Marathon Mile Champion sponsored by Nationwide.

“My time at Nationwide has taught me that the values and culture of my employer impact my overall happiness,” says Bill Borchers, Finance Data Governance Director at Nationwide. “Nationwide’s continued support of NCH, especially with its sponsorship of Evelyn this year, has reinforced that feeling for me. It has given my family a unique way to share my daughter Evelyn’s story while making a difference in our community and we are incredibly thankful for that.”

Since 2012, the Columbus Marathon has helped raise over $11 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support lifesaving research and care for kids like our Patient Champion, Evelyn.

“Nationwide proudly supports several events throughout the year benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, but anytime we get a chance to learn and share stories of patients who are thriving as a result of the hospital’s care, it reaffirms our ‘why’ in a truly special way,” said Ramon Jones, chief marketing officer for Nationwide.

Since 2011, Nationwide has helped raise over $55 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital through its Sports Sponsorships.

As Evelyn cheered runners on from Mile 12 of the marathon, there’s no doubt participants got a burst of energy when they spotted this little girl with a beautifully big personality.

Scan the QR code below to listen to Evelyn's favorite songs.

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

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award – Diverse Markets Initiative
Nationwide’s Diverse Markets Initiative received the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award for its efforts to create awareness and understanding of the unique financial planning and retirement income needs of diverse and underserved consumer markets. The initiative advocates for a more equitable financial services industry and is committed to financial and retirement preparedness of various communities including Black, Hispanic, women and LGBTQ+. Designed to showcase a variety of client demographics to better understand the potential differences and similarities among these client bases, the Diverse Markets Initiative aims to partner with firms and advisors to make them aware, educated, and empathetic of these groups' needs.  

Asset Managers Award – Risk-Managed Income ETF Suite
As a first-of-its-kind options-based solution, Nationwide’s Risk-Managed Income ETF Suite earned the Asset Managers industry award. Nationwide’s suite targets high current income and seeks to provide a measure of downside protection in falling markets and the potential for upside participation in rising markets. Nationwide launched three of the of the four solutions in early 2022.   

By providing exposure to some of the most well-known domestic indexes, Nationwide Risk-Managed Income ETFs may provide investors with greater optionality for managing their exposure to different sources of risk and return while targeting secular opportunities as part of a diversified, core income allocation.

For more information about Nationwide’s 2022 WealthManagement.com honors visit the finalist page. This is the second consecutive year that Nationwide has been recognized at the Wealthies. In 2021, two Nationwide initiatives were honored for excellence in marketing and diversity equity and inclusion.

Call 1-800-617-0004 to request a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus or download prospectuses at etf.nationwidefinancial.com. These prospectuses outline investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses, and other information that you should read and consider carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV, and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. The Funds’ returns may not match nor achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the respective underlying index. 

Nationwide Fund Advisors (NFA) is the registered investment advisor to Nationwide ETFs, which are distributed by Quasar Distributors LLC.

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Since the tournament’s inception in 2007 with Nationwide as a founding partner, more than $19.2 million has been raised to support pediatric cancer treatment and research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That philanthropic purpose was on display the week of August 22 as the 16^th annual event was contested at The Ohio State University Golf Club, Scarlet Course where Swedish native David Lingmerth earned his second career Korn Ferry Tour win along with fully exempt status on the PGA TOUR in 2023.

“As a Korn Ferry Tour Finals event, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship showcases some of golf’s brightest future stars as they compete for a coveted spot on the PGA TOUR,” said John Carter, president of Nationwide Financial and chairman of the tournament’s host organization, Champions of the Community. “The increased visibility as a Finals event played at one of the country’s premier campus golf courses provides a perfect platform to promote our philanthropic mission – supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital.”

One way the tournament personalizes its cause is through Pros Fore Patients. The event provides a special opportunity for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champions and their families to interact with Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR players. This year, each Patient Champion was paired up with a Tour professional for one-on-one instruction on the putting green and driving range. The Patient Champions and their pros also paid it forward by creating care packages to be delivered to current patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

In addition to participating in Pros Fore Patients and closing the tournament with the Final Putt to Cure Cancer, Patient Champion Neil Taylor was presented with a $2,500 donation for Neil’s Meals, the legacy program he started with the Feel Better Foundation to supply restaurant or grocery store gift cards to patient families in the hospital’s Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant units.

The donation on behalf of the tournament was the second surprise of the week for Neil, who also received a $10,000 college scholarship from Nationwide as part of the First Shot to Fight Cancer ceremonies.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship may be a local tournament on a national tour, but its benefit is felt globally. Nationwide Children’s receives more than 1.6 million patient visits annually and cares for kids and families from nearly every U.S. state and more than 46 countries. To learn more about one of the country’s largest not-for-profit pediatric health care systems, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

Nationwide, a founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship golf tournament, learned about Neil’s story and wanted to honor his past journey with a gift for his future by surprising/presenting him with a $10,000 college scholarship. The presentation preceded the opening round of play at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event.

“Getting a $10,000 scholarship was an awesome surprise,” said Neil. “I was so shocked when they handed me a cartoonishly large check. My mom started crying. My parents and I are really grateful to Nationwide for the support.”

On January 11, 2019, Neil was diagnosed with Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia - a rare form of leukemia that is a blend of both AML and ALL leukemia. He was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and began chemotherapy to treat his cancer. Over the next two and a half years, Neil was admitted to the hospital 28 times, visited the emergency room 17 times, endured 25 lumbar punctures and ended up in the pediatric intensive care unit twice for sepsis and septic shock. He also experienced rare side effects throughout his treatment and lost the ability to walk while undergoing chemo.

In spite of the many medical challenges he faced, Neil maintained a positive attitude while he relearned to walk and regained his overall strength through intense physical therapy. In June 2021, Neil was able to end chemotherapy a year earlier than expected thanks to new research and information available to his oncologists at Nationwide Children’s. Today, the 16-year-old sophomore attends Worthington Kilbourne High School and is a proud member of the school bands where he plays alto saxophone and synthesizer.

Neil’s personal experience as a pediatric cancer patient has inspired him to start a legacy program called Neil's Meals through the Feel Better Foundation. The program provides food gift cards to help pediatric cancer families by lifting spirits, satisfying chemo cravings, and providing comfort food during hospital stays at Nationwide Children’s.

“Neil’s story is inspiring, and it is why Nationwide remains steadfastly committed to supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital and families like the Taylors,” said John Carter, president of Nationwide Financial and chairman of the tournament’s host organization, Champions of the Community. “It’s a pleasure for Nationwide to present this scholarship to support Neil’s academic future, but it is also a nod to all the patients and families who have benefited from the life-changing work being done by the doctors, nurses and staff at Nationwide Children’s.”

“We greatly appreciate Nationwide’s ongoing generosity to our patients and families,” said Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It’s wonderful to see how far Neil has come and exciting to know that this gift will support his future.”

Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, more than $19 million has been raised for the hospital. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of Memorial Tournament events including Legends Luncheon, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew, and a partnership with The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise more than $50 million for the hospital since 2011.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

What he won’t have to worry about are trips to the hospital for additional surgeries, or radiation treatment to fight a rare brain cancer that nearly cut short his life when he was just a toddler. 

Thanks to advanced genomic research and treatment available at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, the 9-year-old is now entering his fourth year of cancer-free living. It’s seemingly a miracle given the rare and aggressive form of brain cancer he faced.  

“I am forever grateful for the care we have received, and Carter is thriving today,” said Liz Daggett, Carter’s mother. “I am hopeful that with additional research in 10, 20, 30 years we can live in a cancer-free world, and no one has to go through what Carter went through.” 

The promise genomic medicine holds for children like Carter led, in part, to a significant gift to the hospital this year. The Nationwide Foundation announced a gift of $10 million to the Pediatric Innovation Fund. Nationwide Children’s Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM) has been a part of each year’s gift from the Nationwide Foundation since the institute’s inception in 2016.   

“Genomic medicine has the potential to transform the lives of children with critical illnesses and offers hope for improved diagnostic and clinical strategies,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “The tremendous support, generosity, and partnership from Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation plays a critical role in advancing the field and our ability to provide the best options possible to our children and families.” 

Microscopic size, enormous impact 
The human genome, or gene sequence, is a person’s DNA. Essentially an instruction manual for the body, genes are microscopic in size, yet their impact cannot be overstated.  

A person’s genome contains an estimated 30,000 genes and is present in every cell of the body. The genome determines how each cell operates, whether it combines with others to form the heart or becomes bone or cartilage. Genome instructions also determine traits like eye color, hair color and height. But just like a typo can make instructions unclear, a gene mutation can create confusion in a cell, leading to serious illness.  

When Carter was just a year old, physicians discovered he had a rare, cancerous brain tumor. They treated it with surgery and proton radiation therapy, but a few years later another tumor emerged. His physicians wanted to learn why, so they turned to IGM.  

Recognizing the potential for genomic medicine, Nationwide Children’s established its institute to expand the availability of clinical genetic and genomic testing. Genomic medicine has been found to help diagnose conditions earlier, better predict patient outcomes and personalize treatment. Since 2018, the institute has studied more than 400 patients with cancer and achieved a medically meaningful result that influences the patient’s diagnosis, treatment or decisions for 95%. 

After mapping Carter’s entire genome, researchers discovered a gene mutation that caused his body to create a meningeal sarcoma, an especially rare and aggressive cancer. It was just the breakthrough needed – knowing the exact mutation helped Carter’s care team arrive at the best effective treatment for him. 

Discoveries impact patients around the world 
The potential for genomic and other advanced research that takes place at the hospital is why the Nationwide Foundation established the Pediatric Innovation Fund, said Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman Kirt Walker.

“Creating the Pediatric Innovation Fund has allowed us to make meaningful contributions in the lives of children and their families in our community and beyond,” Walker said. “The research discoveries and innovations happening at Nationwide Children’s are shared with pediatric hospitals across the country and around the world to help children everywhere, and we are grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in such a worthy cause.” 

Since 2014, the Pediatric Innovation Fund has supported the hospital’s research efforts with annual gifts of $10 million that fund research in genomics, heart health, neonatology, injury prevention, behavioral health and others. Combined with a transformational $50 million contribution in 2006, the foundation’s total giving to the hospital is $140 million.  

Read more about the genomics program and more inspiring patient impact stories. 

Nationwide Children’s will use this new support from the Nationwide Foundation to expand the hospital’s portfolio of research into pediatric behavior health conditions. The medical industry recognizes that treatment on its own will not solve the behavioral health epidemic challenging the country. Research into better prevention and clinical treatment is vital.

Funds from this year’s gift will also continue to benefit the hospital’s Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM). Established in 2016 the IGM remains one of the few programs in pediatric personalized genomic medicine in the U.S. and focuses on genomics as the root cause of many childhood diseases. Since its inception, the IGM has provided more than 59,000 clinical genomics-based tests for more than 16,000 patients with a wide variety of conditions.

“The Pediatric Innovation Fund has been a game-changer,” said Tim Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “These funds accelerate key initiatives across our organization, advancing promising discoveries and tackling some of toughest issues in pediatrics today. With support from the Nationwide Foundation, we have attracted and funded some of the brightest minds in pediatric research and care. This is impact that will be felt for decades to come.”                                                                                 

Other programs benefiting from this year’s $10 million gift include:

On Our Sleeves
This year’s gift will also continue to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s On Our Sleeves^®  movement that aims to break stigmas and start conversations about childhood mental health. The program has provided free mental health education resources to more than 3 million people since 2018 and attracted both local and national partners.

This year’s donation will enable additional research and national marketing and awareness building for the second phase of The Great Collide research, specifically studying the impact of child mental health in the workplace. The original study, funding by the Innovation Fund in 2021 revealed that employee concerns over pediatric mental health affects business. Funding will also support curriculum production of Bloom materials for employees, an Ohio convening event featuring key stakeholders in the space, and more.

Population Health in Linden
Support from the 2022 award will continue investment in vital, evidence-based programs to help ensure all children have a healthy future in Columbus’ historic Linden neighborhood. Last year, the Nationwide Foundation committed $2 million to Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods, Health Families initiative to create single-family affordable housing units in Linden.

Infectious Disease Fellowship
Patients with infections have better outcomes if managed by an Infectious Disease subspecialist. The 2022 Innovation Fund support will endow an Infectious Disease Host Defense program.

New Endowed Chair in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research
Another significant focus of funding for the new $10 million gift will support the creation of the Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair for Clinical and Translational Research. The chair will be awarded to John David Spencer, MD, Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and Principal Investigator in the Center for Clinical and Translational Research. With the creation of the chair, Nationwide Children’s role as a leader in this area will grow and help ensure no child has to leave central Ohio for world-class care.

“The Nationwide Foundation is proud to be able to make a difference by partnering with Nationwide Children’s Hospital on solutions for our community and on critically important research that makes an impact and improves the welfare of children and their families,” said Nationwide CEO and Nationwide Foundation Chairman Kirt Walker.

The Nationwide Foundation established the Pediatric Innovation Fund in 2014 to target strategic investments in pediatric and community health and to accelerate the most promising research and clinical discoveries at Nationwide Children’s. So far, the foundation has contributed $90 million to the fund, including the 2022 gift. With the Nationwide Foundation’s initial $50 million donation in 2006, its contributions have now reached $140 million. In addition, Nationwide’s sports marketing programs, including the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, have raised more than $50 million since 2011 to support hospital programs.

“Creating the Pediatric Innovation Fund has allowed us to make meaningful contributions in the lives of children and their families not only locally, but worldwide,” Walker said. “The research discoveries and innovations happening at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are shared with pediatric hospitals across the country and around the world to help children everywhere.”

About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on U.S. News & World Report’s 2020-21 list of “Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of America’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric health care systems providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents, as well as adult patients with congenital disease.

Nationwide Children’s has a staff of more than 13,000 providing state-of-the-art pediatric care during more than 1.6 million patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the Top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.

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.

That’s what Nationwide’s Women in Technology group, an extension of the company’s Technology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, worked on this summer. More than 20 associates across the Fortune 100 company’s technology organization helped nearly 100 children (grades 1 – 8) at a Columbus-area summer camp dive into digital health, literacy, responsibility, and many other key skills for understanding the value of digital media. St. Stephens Community House, the host of the camp, has been serving the Linden community of Columbus since 1919 and has a partnership with Nationwide.  

“Whether it’s lessons on cyberbullying, privacy and security, or just understanding when to take a break from devices, these children are learning the foundational elements of a healthy relationship with our ever-growing digital world,” says Vernon Eudell, Nationwide’s associate vice president of legal & human resources technology and the executive sponsor of the program.  

While the full summer camp at St. Stephens is eight weeks long, the digital citizenship “sprint” is a two-week long deep dive in which Nationwide volunteers prepare the program’s teachers to deliver content and lead conversations with the kids. Additionally, Nationwide donated laptops to help improve the summer camp student-to-machine ratio from 3:1 to 2:1.  

“This is yet another example of Nationwide making a difference in our community. We’re using our expertise to help children use online tools with confidence and care,” said Kristen Elliott, consultant and program planning lead in partnership with St. Stephens.  

As each grade shared what they learned when the program wrapped up July 29, Nationwide leaders served as judges for the show-and-tell session and awarded the winning group with a pizza party.  

“I was so proud to see and hear what they had learned, and of course a pizza party is a classic summer camp incentive,” Elliott said.  

In total, Nationwide provided more than 35 hours of curriculum for St. Stephens instructors to use, and Nationwide volunteers helped support the instructors and students in the classroom as they walked through each topic.  

To learn more about Nationwide’s partnership with local communities, visit the Nationwide Corporate Citizenship page.  

"I’m both proud and honored to receive this recognition,” said Vinita Clements, Nationwide’s chief HR officer. “Nationwide’s efforts to champion diversity and create an inclusive culture show our values in action and help create a workplace where each of our associates can thrive. It’s why I’m passionate about helping the next generation of leaders reach their potential through mentorship, formal programs and everyday opportunities.”

Clements provides strategic and operational leadership for Nationwide’s overall Human Resources strategy and its 25,000 employees, ensuring Nationwide has the talent to deliver on its mission. Under her leadership, the company has achieved historic levels of engagement and continues to be recognized as an employer of choice for its strong culture, performance orientation and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“I’m humbled and grateful to be included on a list of so many inspiring leaders,” said Eric Stevenson, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “In pursuing our mission to help more Americans achieve a secure retirement, I hope to also empower and encourage those that see this list to believe that they too can reach their goals and see that financial services present a great opportunity.”

Stevenson’s cross-functional leadership skills and financial discipline have led to sustained success for Nationwide Retirement Solutions. His ability to orient firms towards customer centricity and operational excellence has led to top quartile performance for the business with $200B in assets under management.

Savoy magazine is a national publication covering the power, substance and style of African American community that showcases and drives positive dialogue about Black culture.

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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