IICF Midwest Honors Accenture, Aon, and Zurich at Blazing the Trail Benefit

IICF Midwest Honors Accenture, Aon, and Zurich at Blazing the Trail Benefit

Founders of Chicago Apprentice Network headline benefit supporting regional nonprofits

CHICAGO(Sept. 7, 2022) –The Midwest Division of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, will enter its second decade of insurance industry philanthropy by honoring the Chicago Apprentice Network during its annual Blazing the Trail Benefit on September 22 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Chicago. The 2022 IICF Blazing the Trail Benefit will convene insurance industry professionals and leaders, along with representatives of local nonprofits, to celebrate the philanthropic achievements of the industry and give back to those in need throughout the Midwest.

IICF Midwest will honor the Founders of the Chicago Apprentice Network – Accenture, Aon and Zurich – for their trailblazing work raising awareness of apprenticeship and helping more businesses establish successful apprentice programs. Their work in bridging the gap between talent and opportunity helps to create more apprenticeships in the Chicagoland area. Connecting a broader range of nontraditional talent with innovative companies contributes to a more inclusive and equitable workplace, a shared focus of IICF internationally.

“Last year we celebrated the tenth anniversary of IICF in the Midwest, and we’re excited to look ahead to important ways IICF can convene the insurance industry in the years ahead,” said Jeff Kroeger, Chief Commercial Officer, Insureon, a Division of Specialty Program Group and Hub International, and Chair of the IICF Midwest Division Board of Directors. “This includes helping to broaden awareness of apprenticeships and other unique talent acquisition and development opportunities, such as the IICF Talent Hub, as the industry builds for the future. This is just one way we’re bringing industry leaders together, building hope and ultimately raising vital funds that benefit our local nonprofit partners and our neighbors in need.”

Proceeds from the Blazing the Trail Benefit will benefit IICF’s Midwest Community Grants Program, through which grants are awarded to local nonprofit and charitable organizations focused on education, safety and health. Last year’s event raised $400,000 and IICF Community Grants totaling more than $520,000 were awarded in 2021 to nonprofit partners across the Midwest. Since its founding in 2011, IICF’s Midwest Division has granted more than $4 million to over 200 nonprofits. IICF Midwest is one of five divisions, four based in the US and one in the UK, of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, which has granted a total of $42 million globally since its inception in 1996.

“We are working tirelessly with our nonprofit partners to meet the increased needs in our communities, and IICF is grateful for the dedicated support of the insurance community in the Midwest,” said Kelly Hartweg, Executive Director the IICF Midwest Division. “We have seen new companies join our boards of directors this year as we expand our scope of working together in giving back here in Chicago, and throughout our chapters serving Ohio and Kansas and Missouri. The IICF Community Grants funded through insurance industry support help to make a real difference in the lives of so many facing food insecurity, homelessness and other significant challenges.”  

This year’s Blazing the Trail Benefit is made possible through generous insurance industry support including Presenting Sponsor: Aon; Platinum Sponsors: CNA, CRC Group, Great American Insurance Group, RT Specialty, and Zurich; Gold Sponsors: AIG, Amwins, Applied, Burns& Wilcox, and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, and many other event sponsors.

For more information regarding the event and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the IICF Midwest Benefit Event website or contact Kelly Hartweg at (773) 991-2149 or khartweg@iicf.com.

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About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for nearly thirty years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf.