How Nationwide LIVES UNITED

Nationwide is committed to improving the quality of life in communities by transforming lives at critical moments through its focus on philanthropy, volunteerism and workplace giving, and collaboration with key partners such as United Way.

Each year for more than a decade, United Way has been the largest recipient of funds from the Nationwide Foundation. United Way is a critical partner in achieving Nationwide’s mission of improving the quality of life in its home communities. This also drives the Nationwide Foundation’s proud and longstanding tradition of matching every dollar contributed to United Way from associates, agents and retirees. In 2007, Nationwide associates, agents and retirees pledged $8.75 million resulting in approximately $17 million dollars benefiting 800 local United Ways across the country. In addition, the Nationwide Foundation has made grants to a variety of nonprofit organizations totaling more than $190 million since 2000.

Beyond monetary investments, Nationwide’s volunteer philosophy—“Get Involved, Get Informed and Make a Difference”—shows employees the importance of personal involvement in the community. Thousands of Nationwiders are actively engaged in volunteering in their communities through the On Your Side Volunteer Network®—created to provide associates across the country access to nonprofit volunteer opportunities. More than 5,000 Nationwide associates have logged more than 70,000 hours since the program was created in 2005.

Nationwide is strategic and innovative in its efforts to support communities across the country. Earlier this year, Nationwide provided United Way of Central Ohio with a grant focused on homelessness. This support helped provide housing and services to nearly 200 men and women, plus a full range of supportive services to help these formerly homeless people work toward financial independence. Nationwide also provided United Way of Delaware County (Ohio) with a grant to launch its Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) initiative and volunteers to work with local residents to secure their EITC. Nationwide’s office in Gainesville, FL, partnered with its local United Way to build the infrastructure needed for its 2-1-1 services. Nationwide’s call center staff worked hand in hand with United Way to provide training and assistance for 2-1-1 staff to get their program up and running.

Nationwide has also partnered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Ohio—a United Way community partner— and Columbus City Schools to create Project Mentor, a program that aims to match 10,000 adult mentors with Columbus City School students in an effort to boost graduation rates. The company’s associates also have a proud tradition of giving blood, with associates donating more than 13,000 units of blood in 2007.

In addition to its commitment to communities across the country, Nationwide also focuses on improving the quality of life of its employees. Nationwide launched a company-wide program utilizing United Way’s Born Learning materials for Nationwiders who are expecting babies. This partnership gives all expectant Nationwide employees early childhood development information and has helped many expectant Nationwiders learn firsthand the breadth and importance of United Way’s commitments to communities where they live and work.

Nationwide Insurance Wins United Way’s 2008 Spirit of America^®Award