American Family Insurance is partnering with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts on campus.

Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance is one of the largest property and casualty insurance groups in the Midwest and nation. Commonly known as American Family, the company strives to inspire, protect, and restore dreams not only through its insurance products and services but also through community investment and partnerships to address societal challenges.   American Family supports diversity, equity, and inclusion to help ensure everybody has the ability and access to make their dreams possible.

Funds to assist three programs

Through its partnership with the University of Illinois, American Family is making investments in the following campus diversity and inclusion programs: The Diversity Partners FOCUS (Fostering Opportunity, Community, and Unwavering Support), Illinois Reboot, and the IBC (Illinois Business Consulting).

American Family funds scholarships to students that participate in the Diversity Partners FOCUS Initiative. The FOCUS Initiative seeks to eliminate the gap in post-graduation outcomes for underrepresented first-generation graduates as they launch their careers and professional lives. The initiative achieves these goals by increasing awareness and professional exposure among students, ensuring students compete for crucial job experiences, empowering students to be confident, and boosting their self-efficacy skills.

Illinois Reboot is a free pre-coding academy that aims to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce within central Illinois. Illinois Reboot targets underrepresented community members and helps them obtain a foundation in data science literacy and technical skill fundamentals. Up to five $1,000 scholarships, made possible by American Family, will be awarded this year to outstanding students who complete all certification requirements and wish to pursue their education further.

The IBC is a student-run consulting practice that allows students to build problem-solving skills through real-world project opportunities. American Family is funding a two-semester project with the IBC that will focus on researching and creating resources to support the work of the Institute’s Equity in Education team in their mission to close equity gaps in early childhood education and literacy in Chicago.

Support is part of the national American Family initiative

American Family’s support is part of its Free to Dream Initiative, a $105 million commitment over five years to continue its work to help close equity gaps and improve the quality of life for communities. The initiative focuses on five major societal issues, referred to as Free to Dream pillars: economic empowerment, education, and health equity, climate resilience, criminal justice reform and workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I am thankful for American Family’s contributions towards our campus efforts towards a more just and equitable society. This partnership serves to advance the goals of our students and the communities in which they live.”  -  Sean C. Garrick, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion