Nonprofits that provide community action programs can help their communities in a lot of different ways.
From educational support to transitional housing and career preparation programs, these nonprofits’ services are essential, but to accomplish them, they need insurance that fits their specific missions — and not every insurer can provide it.
So, what do nonprofit community action programs need most from their insurance coverage?
Meet some NIA-insured nonprofits that provide community action programs.
We talked with some NIA-insured nonprofit community action programs and asked them to share what how their missions shaped what they needed most from their insurance coverage.
In their own words…
Friends of the Children (Philadelphia, PA)
“Friends of the Children is a nonprofit organization that is impacting generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors.
We do this by providing children facing the greatest obstacles with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a “Friend,” from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12+ years — no matter what.”
— Rev. Kimberly Jones, Operations Director, Friends of the Children
Functional Training Zone (National Harbor, MD)
“Functional Training Zone is a career awareness platform for youth and young adults. FTZ connects students with community career professionals to help them make informed career choices.
Our programs include career awareness workshops, a careers podcast, career exploration trips, and college and training school visits.”
— Quincy Robertson, President, Functional Training Zone
YOLO Foundation (Greeley, CO)
“We provide safe and supportive housing for those struggling with addiction who are coming from treatment, jail, prison, and the local community.
Our services include accountability, structure, and programming to support healthy habits, life skills development, and building a supportive community for connection.
Housing is why people join our program, but it is not the only reason people stay in our program.
We offer pro-social activities, accountability that coordinates with justice involved supervision, support for MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) programs, assist with goal setting and accomplishing, and additional resources within the community for a holistic approach.”
— Heidi Christensen, Founder, YOLO Foundation
What did these nonprofit community action programs need most from their insurer?
Coverage for the risks that come with child-focused programming.
“Working with children creates various job scenarios, so liability insurance helps to protect the business from unexpected events, such as accidents or injuries, and ensures the safety and well-being of both the children and the staff.”
— Rev. Kimberly Jones, Friends of the Children
Meeting standards required by school partners.
“Most important to us was meeting the standard requirements to satisfy our school partners and finding a trusted insurance provider like NIA.”
— Quincy Robertson, Functional Training Zone
Insurance for a transitional living nonprofit.
“We needed insurance for transitional living that protected against sexual misconduct and internet use.”
— Heidi Christensen, YOLO Foundation
How did these nonprofit community action programs hear about NIA?
A recommendation from the umbrella organization.
“Our organization has what franchise models call an “umbrella organization” — Friends of the Children — who recommended NIA as a resource.”
— Rev. Kimberly Jones, Friends of the Children
An associate’s recommendation.
“A friend of one of our career awareness speakers mentioned the provider at a meeting held by National Science Foundation.”
— Quincy Robertson, Functional Training Zone
Through a nonprofit professionals’ group.
“A nonprofit group I attend recommended NIA to us.”
— Heidi Christensen, YOLO Foundation
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these nonprofit community action programs?
Courtesy, communications, respect, and a willingness to help.
“My experience with NIA has been invaluable. Each communication is met with courtesy and respect with a willingness to help.”
— Rev. Kimberly Jones, Friends of the Children
A flexible insurance provider with strong communications.
“When we first launch Functional Training Zone, finding the resources we needed to ensure we were successful proved difficult. There were so many options and subject matter expertise that we just didn’t have.
From the moment we found NIA and followed their social media account, we saw the various organizations they represented.
Our communication and questions being answered made me and my team feel comfortable that we were in the right hands. I appreciate the flexibility, and the family environment NIA creates for its insured organizations.”
— Quincy Robertson, Functional Training Zone
An insurer that keeps nonprofits insured and informed.
“NIA has been great to work with. Easy to set up and manage. They also provide informational articles and webinars, along with a host of other great resources! I appreciate the work they do to keep my organization insured and informed!”
— Heidi Christensen, YOLO Foundation
Nonprofit community action programs need insurance that supports a wide variety of missions and communities.
Why do nonprofit community action programs choose to get their insurance coverage from NIA?
It’s easy: NIA offers these organizations with flexible coverage that’s custom designed to fit their specific missions, at prices that are fair and equitable.
NIA understands that community action programs can have radically different missions, and that the “one size fits all” coverage that most for-profit carriers offer nonprofits often isn’t enough to properly protect them.
Community action programs want insurance coverage that’s tailored to fit their mission — they don’t want to have to tailor their mission to fit their coverage.
