Searching for a job can be extremely difficult and frustrating — even when you have all the skills and training needed, a position in your desired field can be very hard to find.
For many people, though, job training, preparation, and education are not always affordable, attainable, or accessible and can be a roadblock to better-paying jobs and other career opportunities.
That’s why many people, including at-risk youth and adults with disabilities, count on local nonprofits that offer career and vocational training for professional opportunities that they might otherwise not be able to access.
These organizations are a lifeline that provides people a chance to make a better life for themselves — but they can’t do it without insurance coverage that enables them to safely operate.
So, what do career and vocational training nonprofits need most from their insurance?
Meet some career and vocational training nonprofits.
We talked with several NIA-insured nonprofits that offer career and vocational training, and they shared how their insurance coverage helps them fulfill their missions and serve their communities.
In their own words…
Ability Counts (Corona, CA)
“Ability Counts Inc. empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through vocational training, paid employment, and life-skills coaching.
We partner with local businesses, providing inclusive work opportunities that foster independence, confidence, and community engagement — turning potential into meaningful contribution every day.”
— Sophia Jurisch, Executive Director, Ability Counts
Yes I Can – Unity Through Music & Education (Santa Clarita, CA)
“Our mission is to unlock the potential of adult creatives with disabilities through the mentorship, training, and professional-skill development necessary to attain fulfilling careers in the entertainment industry, while advancing inclusive hiring practices that create pathways to financial independence.
Yes I Can simultaneously educates employers about the advantages of hiring and mentoring creatives with disabilities. All services are provided free of charge.”
— Carol Stevenson, Board Member, Yes I Can
Sunrise Enterprises (Roseburg, OR)
“Sunrise Enterprises empowers people with disabilities by providing job training, employment opportunities, and essential resources.
Through our stores and community programs, we help individuals achieve independence and meaningful careers while promoting inclusion in rural Douglas County, Oregon.
Our vision: Creating equitable employment opportunities and a stronger, more supportive community for all.”
— Jane Maritz, Executive Director, Sunrise Enterprises
What did these career and vocational training nonprofits need most from their insurer?
Comprehensive coverage, tailored for nonprofits.
“Our nonprofit’s most important need when looking for insurance coverage was ensuring comprehensive protection for both our staff and the individuals we serve.
We needed coverage that accounted for the unique risks of providing direct support services, including liability, transportation, and property, all tailored to the nonprofit environment.
Affordability and responsiveness to claims were also critical factors in our decision.”
— Sophia Jurisch, Ability Counts
Specialized coverages that satisfy funding requirements.
“Yes I Can’s most important need was obtaining a General Liability policy with coverage limits that are required through our funding contracts with the California Regional Centers. We needed to have specific types of coverage related to being a disability service provider.”
— Carol Stevenson, Yes I Can
Flexible coverage to meet unique risks.
“Our most important need when looking for insurance coverage was ensuring that our diverse programs and services were fully protected.
With multiple rural locations, a variety of services — including retail, janitorial, and manufacturing — and over 200 employees and clients, we needed coverage that offered both liability protection and support for the unique risks involved in working with individuals with disabilities.
It was crucial that the policy provided flexibility and security for both our day-to-day operations and our long-term goals of fostering community inclusion.”
— Jane Maritz, Sunrise Enterprises
How did these career and vocational training nonprofits hear about NIA?
A recommendation from past leadership.
“We have held insurance with NIA for many years — well before my tenure — and the prior leadership’s strong endorsement of NIA’s service is why we’ve sustained the partnership.”
— Sophia Jurisch, Ability Counts
A colleague’s suggestion.
“Yes I Can has only ever used NIA — a colleague of our deputy director recommended NIA to us.”
— Carol Stevenson, Yes I Can
A longtime, trusted partnership.
“We’re not entirely sure how we first connected with NIA, but we’ve been with them for as long as anyone can remember.
Over time, they’ve proven to be a trusted partner, offering the right coverage and reliable service for our nonprofit’s unique needs.”
— Jane Maritz, Sunrise Enterprises
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these career and vocational training nonprofits?
A reliable and valuable resource.
“Partnering with NIA has provided our nonprofit with peace of mind, knowing we have insurance coverage tailored to the unique needs of organizations like ours.
Their expertise in the nonprofit sector, coupled with their commitment to service, makes them a reliable and valuable resource for our team.
What we value about our partnership with NIA:
- Free HR webinars that keep our team current without straining our budget.
- A responsive, helpful team that answers questions quickly and thoroughly.
- Clear communication and consistent support, so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Genuine understanding of nonprofit challenges — especially those serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Practical, relevant training we can apply immediately on the job.
- Easy, on-demand access to training resources, saving staff time.
- Guidance that keeps us protected and lets us stay focused on our mission of empowering the people we serve.”
— Sophia Jurisch, Ability Counts
Quality coverage at an affordable price.
“Our nonprofit greatly appreciates and benefits from the affordable rates, great customer service, and free staff training that NIA offers.
We highly recommend NIA to other nonprofits searching for an insurance provider who will provide the coverage your nonprofit needs at an affordable price.”
— Carol Stevenson, Yes I Can
“When we need support, they’re quick to help.”
“We really appreciate several aspects of our relationship with NIA. First and foremost, their responsive claims process has been a huge benefit — it’s reassuring to know that when we need support, they’re quick to help.
We also value the member resources they offer, like driver training, webinars, and vehicle tracking, which help us stay informed and compliant.
Their board website is a fantastic tool for managing our policies and accessing important information.
Most importantly, NIA truly understands the unique needs of nonprofits like ours.”
— Jane Maritz, Sunrise Enterprises
Career and vocational training nonprofits deserve insurance that places their needs center stage.
Why do nonprofits that provide career and vocational training get their insurance coverage from NIA?
The answer isn’t complicated: They want insurance coverage that actually covers them, they want an insurer that understands them — and wants to work with them, and they need it at a price that doesn’t break their budget.
NIA’s coverage is specifically designed for nonprofits — meaning that the coverage can be tailored to fit a wide variety of missions, communities, and risks. That’s a big difference from the “one size fits all” coverages most for-profit carriers are willing to offer nonprofits.
After all, when your nonprofit helps people become successful, you deserve an insurance provider that works to help your mission be successful, too.
