Northwestern Mutual Community Service Award winner chooses Elgin area nonprofit to get $15,000 grant
From connecting families with housing and food resources to providing valuable mentorship opportunities to local youth, Northwestern Mutual financial advisors are leading impactful change in their communities across the country.
Through its foundation, the company is recognizing these efforts through its 2019 Community Service Awards program by awarding nearly $300,000 in grants to nonprofits nationwide.
Each year, Northwestern Mutual selects 16 financial advisors nationwide to receive grants to benefit a nonprofit of their choice as part of the program.
Local resident Mark Rizzo, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, has been chosen as a 2019 recipient of the award, receiving a $15,000 grant for the Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area.
Rizzo has been involved with the organization for over 25 years, serving as a board member, fund development chairman and past board president.
A survivor of the Our Lady of Angels School fire in 1958, he has dedicated his time and support to helping the Family Service Association continue to provide children and families with quality, accessible holistic behavioral services.
"As a result of my experience in the Our Lady of Angels School fire, I realized that counseling can have a strong impact on whether a child's mind is affected positively or negatively regarding different events," Rizzo said. "Children are the future of our world, and I bring my passion for this belief to my support of the Family Service Association."
Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area is a United Way agency offering services to children, adolescents and adults of all ages. The organization seeks to strengthen individuals and families so they can meet the challenges of modern life in positive and constructive ways.
The funds from this grant will be used for both family and childhood psychiatric counseling.
"Every year I'm amazed by the enthusiasm our advisors exhibit for nonprofit support in their communities," said Eric Christophersen, president of Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "Giving back is such an integral piece of our company culture, and our Community Service Award winners truly embody this through the meaningful work they're accomplishing."
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Community Service Awards program. Since the program's inception, the foundation has donated nearly $6 million to nonprofits on behalf of program winners. The 2019 winners were announced at the company's regional meetings earlier this year, with grants presented to nonprofits at local events throughout the country.
About Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The foundation has given more than $353 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. They accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Its efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit foundation.northwesternmutual.com to learn more.
About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for more than 160 years. Through a distinctive, whole-picture planning approach, they empower clients to make the most of every single day and plan for important moments in their future. They combine the expertise of financial professionals with a personalized digital experience to help our clients navigate their financial lives every day. With $272.2 billion in assets, $28.5 billion in revenues, and $1.8 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.5 million people who rely on us for life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. The company manages $128 billion of investments owned by our clients and held or managed through our wealth management and investment services businesses. Northwestern Mutual ranks 104 on the 2018 Fortune 500 and is recognized by Fortune as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2019.
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wis. (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (long-term care insurance).